Growing the Perfect Tomato

Saturday, June 27
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Family Urban Gardening Series

presented by Washington Gardener Magazine
Growing the Perfect Tomato with Elizabeth Olson

The concept of growing the perfect tomato presents a challenge for any gardener. What is the standard of excellence—and what can be done to achieve it? General standards for a tomato call for it to be clean, free from damage or blemishes, true to variety, and of best market size and quality. When tomatoes are collectively exhibited for show or competition, the standards also include uniformity in size, shape, color, and maturity. The tomatoes are also expected to be appropriately groomed and displayed in an artful manner. Meeting these standards starts with the personal assessment of what you want and what will work for you. Exceeding general standards requires careful attention to the cultural aspects of growing tomatoes. Preparing conducive garden soil, selecting the right site and cultivar, knowing how to choose the best tomatoes and use the best harvesting technique, and understanding proper storage are among the essential ingredients of growing the perfect tomato.

Elizabeth Olson is a Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist and an avid kitchen gardener who has won multiple blue ribbons and three Best of Show awards for vegetables at the Prince George’s County Fair in Maryland. She is also a certified judge in vegetables with the Maryland Association of Agricultural Fairs & Shows.

This talk is FREE and open to all. All ages may attend.
RSVP@historydc.org or 202-383-1828.

HSW, 801 K Street, NW at Mount Vernon Square, Washington, DC

Free seedlings for the first 30 attendees include cilantro, dill, okra, basil, and tomatoes.

Please consider donating to our series hosts the Historic Society of Washington.

NOTE: NatureSweet® Tomatoes is sponsoring a Best Homegrown Tomato Challenge this August in McLean, VA. Two grand prize winners will be awarded $2500 each for the best tomato in both the small and large categories, while runners-up will each receive $250 in Giant Gift Cards. Details are here: http://www.naturesweettomatoes.com/.