Tomato breeder extraordinaire will share insights, latest varieties
These five tomatoes show the wild color variation in Brad's Atomic Grape tomato, developed by Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms. Kathy Morrison
Meet the man who made the world of tomatoes a much more colorful – and flavorful – planet.
Brad Gates, owner of Wild Boar Farms Exotic Tomatoes, will talk all things tomato during a special appearance at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Green Acres Nursery & Supply’s Sacramento store. Admission and parking are free.
With such eye-catching varieties as Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye and Brad’s Atomic Grape, Wild Boar has rocked the tomato world with disease-resistant, rainbow-hued varieties that taste like heirlooms but are far easier to grow. Gates is universally recognized for introducing black- or purple-skinned tomatoes as well as his distinctive striped varieties.
For his Saturday talk, Gates will chat about his new introductions as well as share his insights to tomato success.
“Brad will share his expertise on the latest varieties he is producing for this spring, as well as provide tips and tricks for growing tomatoes in our region,” says Green Acres. “He will delve into various growing styles and trellising techniques, and will conclude the event with a Q&A session. ... Whether you're an avid gardener or just curious about growing your own tomatoes, this is an event you won't want to miss!”
Gates, who grows his tomatoes in Solano County, has become the go-to guru for NorCal tomato lovers. He creates his new varieties the old-fashioned way: Breeding two varieties together and watching what happens.
“Our focus is in breeding stunning-looking tomato varieties with extreme flavor,” Gates explains on his website. “All of our tomatoes are grown using all-organic growing techniques and are absolutely NOT GMO. We are true believers in using organic and sustainable practices.
“Our tomato varieties are the result of many years of hard work growing ten of thousands of plants, being very picky about seed selection and capitalizing on some amazing gifts from Mother Nature,” he adds. “Tomatoes have changed more in the last 10 years than they have in their entire existence. The bar is being raised and tomato lovers can now reap the rewards. I consider these tomato varieties the Heirlooms of the Future.”
For more on Wild Boar and its tomatoes, visit www.wildboarfarms.com.
Green Acres is located at 8501 Jackson Road, Sacramento.
Details and directions: www.idiggreenacres.com.
Comments
0 comments have been posted.Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
Food in My Back Yard Series
April 1: Don't be fooled by these garden myths
March 25: Fertilizer tips: How to 'feed' your vegetables for healthy growth
March 18: Time to give vegetable seedlings some more space
March 11: Ways to win the fight against weeds
March 4: Potatoes from the garden
Feb. 25: Plant a fruit tree now -- for later
Feb. 18: How to squeeze more food into less space
Feb. 11: When to plant? Consider staggering your transplants
Feb. 4: Starting in seed starting
Sites We Like
Garden Checklist for week of March 30
Your garden doesn’t mind April showers. Get busy now to enjoy those future flowers.
* Get ready to swing into action in the vegetable garden. As nights warm up over 50 degrees, start setting out tomato, pepper and eggplant transplants.
* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash. (Soak beet seeds overnight in water for better germination,)
* Plant onion sets.
* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.
* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.
* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.
* Transplant lettuce and cabbage seedlings.
* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.
* Smell orange blossoms? Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.
* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.