Carolyn Male's Book a hit

 Carolyn Male's RECENT BOOK "100 HEIRLOOM TOMATOES FOR THE AMERICAN GARDEN" HAS PROVEN TO BE AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS.

FOR YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A DEARTH OF INFORMATION ABOUT THESE, THE BEST TOMATOES EVER KNOWN TO MAN.

 Now, an excellent field guide has been coupled with outstanding photography to provide the ultimate reference on heirloom tomatoes. This one is rapidly becoming a classic so don't miss out.  Your friendly neighborhood bookstore has this superb garden asset.

Mail not being fumigated but drowning does happen

I have checked several sources in both the United States and Canada and have been convinced that there is no fumigation or irradiation of mail going on now. I did, however, recently get a report that a shipment of seeds to the UK had been submerged in water and then heat dried. Accordingly, all overseas shipments from this company will be enclosed in water proof barrier pouches that are also designed to exclude radiation.

Allow for slow delivery

The U.S. Mail seems to be taking about seven days for out of town delivery.  It takes the same seven days going the other way and if you add a realistic two or three days for my in house turnaround you come up with seventeen days. It gets awfully exasperating to get an E mail asking  "Where are my seeds" a week after I have gotten the order. I f I answer every one of those I'll have no time for productive things, (like filling your orders)  :-)

It's just a waste without the taste

I have written about the difference in flavor many times and still I get questions asking about more acidy tasting varieties. Invariably the writers have not tasted heirlooms.  Experimentation has proven that there is no such thing as a more or less acidic tomato.  There is definitely a difference in tartness and this may be where the confusion lies.  ANY of my best sellers will give you the sharp sensation you seek.  Stay with the heirlooms as opposed to the hybrids.  For that reason I only handle the heirlooms.  Stay away from Better Boy, Celebrity, Beef master etc.

Flavor is definitely a very individual thing but give the heirlooms, any of them, an honest try.  I find the difference as profound as discovering girls!

Possible seed problems

I have heard a rumor that impure seed has been sent to US customers thru mistakes of wholesalers.  As always, anyone who has any reason to think he has gotten impure seed from me may have his money back, no questions asked.

Tips on seed starting

Start with a good quality soil free mix such as Pro Mix.  Moisten your mix thoroughly and allow it to stand overnight in the pan or other sterile container you will use to sprout your seed. Plant seed no deeper than the thickness of a dime and about 1" apart. Seed does not need light to germinate  Between and 4-14 days at 80 degrees  will usually do the trick.  

After germination, decrease the heat to 55-60f and introduce light. Two 40" shop lights about 2" above the surface are good. Keep the lights within 2" of the surface and keep them lit for 16 hours a day. Keep them damp but not wet. Blocks or old papers are good to use for adjusting height.

When the second true leaf is well established is the time to transplant the seedlings to larger pots. I personally like 31/2" Presto Pots but almost anything works. Cut off milk cartons etc do well. Insert  the seedlings deeply, right up to the base of the permanent leaves.  Use the same mix, keep it moist, and and the tops of the plants within 2" of the lights which are on for 16 hours a day. Remember, GROW THEM COOL!  50-60.f  Do not fertilize until transplanting!

About 5 weeks before the last frost is due is the time to start "hardening off" your crop.  Start by exposing the seedlings to the outside on a cloudy, calm day for no more than 15 minutes.  Double that every day until you have transplants that are doing very well outside all the time.  

Your new plants should be stocky and have good strong stems, much better than the hastily grown examples sold at garden centers. From now on, treat them  just like those you have gotten from the seller before.

Chuck passed away on June 24, 2002

He is greatly missed.