Get all the juicy details at Tomatoes 101 workshop

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

TOBEYVILLE — When it comes to vegetable gardening, one of the most popular — if not the most popular — vegetable is the tomato. Almost everyone loves growing and eating these wonderful vegetables (or fruit, if you so like), but not everybody is successful at growing them.

Enter Jessica Robertson of Backbone Valley Nursery and her every popular Tomatoes 101 workshop.

“It is probably our most popular event,” Robertson said. “I always tell people to come early or bring their own chair, because the seats fill up fast.”

The workshop, which is 11 a.m. March 14 at the nursery, gives people a good foundation in tomato growing.

“I’ll be sharing tips and tricks to help people grow tomatoes,” Robertson said. “I’ll go over the different varieties, soil amendments, how to keep them healthy, and just all things tomato.”

The ubiquitous tomato hasn’t always enjoyed such a love in this country. In fact, early American colonists despised the vegetable because, according to folklore, if you ate one it would turn your blood into acid. The colonists grew tomatoes strictly for decorations.

Eventually, the colonists and we Americans came around to not only eating tomatoes, but embracing them. Some attribute this to one of the country’s founding fathers: Thomas Jefferson. He apparently grew them in his home gardens, and his daughters and granddaughters used them in a number of recipes.

However it grew in prominence and popularity, one thing is true: The tomato remains one of the most common and in-demand garden produce.

It’s something Robertson witnesses every year at the nursery.

“There is just something about tomatoes that we all love,” she said. “During the workshop, people can learn how to grow their own prize-winning tomatoes.”

Along with learning about tomatoes, folks can pick up tomato plants and other things to help them become successful tomato growers. With March 15 marking the average last freeze for the area, Robertson said it’s a great time to get tomatoes ready for the garden.

And with the Backbone Valley Nursery’s second annual Tomato Rally scheduled for June 13, folks can get their plants in the ground and growing so they can enter their very own tomatoes in the event, which includes a salsa contest, a best-tasting tomato competition and a tomato toss. Last year, it also featured a cooking demonstration.

The nursery is located at 4201 FM 1980 between Marble Falls and Granite Shoals. Go to www.backbonevalleynursery.com for more information.

daniel@thepicayune.com