How far would you go to eat that perfect, summertime tomato? For Gian Perrone, VP of Engineering at Nav, tomato cultivation goes to his roots. Starting with some seeds obtained by his grandfather straight from Italy, his family has spent generations in search of the perfect tomato. This quest is about far more than vine-ripening and regular watering. Hear how Gian balances soil acidity levels and builds custom growing trellises to create a tomato worthy of the Caprese salad of your dreams.

Highlights:

• One: Cultivating Roots: For Gian, cultivating the perfect Isle of Capri tomato is a way to stay in touch with his Italian roots.
• Two: Digging Up Gold: We’ve all heard about the $64 tomato, but gardening doesn’t have require costly gadgets or breaking the bank.
• Three: Going to Seed: So you’ve raised the best tomato of your life. Now what? Hang on to the seeds from this year’s crop to make sure next year’s is just as good.
• Four: Serenity in the Soil: Like every good hobby, getting in the zone (and the soil) in the garden is also a chance to cultivate some peace.

Jump Into the Conversation:

[04:28] The story of Gian’s grandfather and the Isle of Capri tomatoes. 
[06:38] Starting seeds under a grow light in the basement. 
[14:36] Backyard gardening in San Francisco during Covid. 
[19:08] How to water plants with a drip system. 
[30:08] Protect plants from playful squirrels and rabbits. 
[37:47] How to dry and store seeds for next year.