Grafted Tomatoes at the Garden
May 05, 2010
A report from CSG apprentice Steve
The winter share has wrapped up at the Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm, and spring feels like it’s rolling through like a runaway train. The fruit trees are pruned, and the greenhouse is full of seedlings growing fast. It’s been hot so far and that is pushing things along rather quickly.
Tomatoes are going into greenhouse beds next week. This year we are trying grafted tomatoes. With grafted tomatoes, a vigorous disease-resistant rootstock tomato variety is mated with the top of a tomato variety whose fruit you want, resulting in (hopefully) a more vigorous, healthier, and longer bearing plant. This is practiced extensively in Japan and is popular among market growers here in the states.
I am excited at the prospect of getting tomatoes to all the shareholders earlier in the season than usual, and continuing them for longer into the fall. If anyone is interested in learning more about it, check out www.johnnyseeds.com and go to their video section for a 10-minute video overview of the process.
I’m looking forward to another great season here!
For more information about the Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm, visit the website.