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Growing Tomatoes

Craig Lehoullier's book, "Epic Tomatoes" available at Amazon

9 years ago

I received a copy today and am busy reading through the thoughts and observations and looking at the beautifully done photos. If you would like a very nice tomato fix for winter entertainment, get a copy and have fun.

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Comments (20)

suncitylinda
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
On my wish list....
carolyn137
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Places other than Amazon where you can find it for sale, if not now, shortly, include:

Tomato Growers Supply ( TGS)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange *SESE

I think possibly Victory Seeds, but didn't check

And the SSE( Seed Savers) Public catalog which is also online,

Hope that helps,

Carolyn
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Shekanahh, For what it is worth, I think most colorful heirlooms are higher in nutrients and studies have shown organically grown produce is higher in antioxidants, which makes sense because the organically-grown produce have to fight diseases and pests on their own, thereby producing their own stronger phytochemicals and antioxidants in the process. (My taste buds tell me many heirlooms are superior in flavor too, and so is organically grown produce.) When we moved here to very rural Love County in the late 1990s, I think I was pretty much tagged a "hippie" by the old farmer and old rancher crowd around me because I grew heirloom varieties in odd colors and I grew them organically. Good heavens! Clearly they all thought I was nuts and they tried hard to convert me to chemically-based gardening. Some of them now grow and love Black Krim and Cherokee Purple as much as I do, by the way, because good-flavored tomatoes won them over (although they thought I was giving them "rotten" tomatoes the first time I gave them black and purple ones to eat). Occasionally, one of them asks me about an organic solution to a garden problem now, so I feel like they've accepted me and my "unorthodox" ways even if I haven't fully converted them to organics. The dark-colored tomatoes are my favorites. Some years I have grown as many as 10-15 different varieties of black, purple or pink tomatoes. This year I dropped a lot of the blacks in order to try some new red hybrids, but undoubtedly next year I'll grow fewer reds and more blacks. I grow a lot of yellows, golds, oranges and pinks too. Just because the grocery store world wants red tomatoes doesn't mean the rest of us can't grow the other ones. This year, I dropped Cherokee Purple and Black Krim, both of which I have grown for many years because I was growing Indian Stripe and True Black Brandywine. Then, somewhere along the way, something happened to my two True Black Brandywine plants---one was snapped in half while very small and still in its paper cup (and I was at an all-day-long wild fire, so didn't get home in time to find it and root the broken top before it wilted and died) and then the other one just wilted and die, perhaps from severe windburn on a day I was hardening off the plants and was at another wild fire. I could have survived without Black Krim, but then when I saw it, I thought of the two dead Black Brandywines and decided to get one. Aunt Ruby's was an impulse buy just because it is such a tasty tomato. If you want to grow some of the black and purple ones, here's some great ones: Black Cherry (indescribably delicious) Black Krim (long time favorite, but True Black Brandywine is more productive for me and cracks less) True Black Brandywine (I got my seed from rareseeds.com) Cherokee Purple (first "purple" tomato I ever grew and a ong-time fave) Cherokee Chocolate Indian Stripe (has more-or-less replaced Cherokee Purple for me and is believed to be a variant of Cherokee Purple--I'll write a paragraph about its history below) Carbon Black From Tula Black Sea Man Black Plum Black Pear Paul Robeson Chocolate Stripes (new for me this year and I have 4 of these planted--two in the ground and two in containers) Pruden's Purple Indian Stripe: This tomato has achieved the impossible---it has gotten me to drop Cherokee Purple after growing it for well over a decade! I thought nothing would ever replace CP, but IS has. However, when you are growing Indian Stripe, you still ARE growing a version of Cherokee Purple. Indian Stripe was introduced by Dr. Carolyn Male after she received seed from a Texas gardener who I believe got them from an Arkansas gardener who knew them as Arkansas Zebra. They are believed (by Carolyn Male and by Craig LeHoullier who originally received seed for Cherokee Purple from JD Green in Tennessee) to be a variant of Cherokee Purple that was grown in isolation in Arkansas for many years (many Cherokee people settled in Arkansas), but IS has slightly smaller and slightly lighter-colored fruit with distinctive darker stripes both in the green and ripe stage. IS grows more fruit than CP in its clusters and, in my garden, it is slightly earlier than CP and definitely more productive and with less fruit cracking. The flavor of IS is either exactly the same as CP or slightly better, and if Dr. Carolyn and Craig LeHoullier believe IS is a variant of CP, that's good enough for me since they are the two people responsible for "saving" these two heirlooms and making them widely available. I got my seed of Indian Stripe from Victory Seeds and Carolyn was their seed source. For years I have said that if I could only grow one tomato variety it would be Black Krim. However, since True Black Brandywine has proven to be just as flavorful and produces more fruit per plant, I'd have to say it would be my "only" if I could plant just one variety, and Indian Stripe would be my second choice. Honestly, Brandywine would be my choice of an "only" variety if it would produce more than six fruit per plant per summer in our climate, but it doesn't, so it isn't. Carol, You are a woman after my own heart! I think ProMix would make a lovely gift for any gardener for any occasion. 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smithmal
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I got mine ordered from TGS. Should be coming any day now....

Looking forward to adding this to my tomato book library.

Here is a link that might be useful: Epic Tomatoes Book (TGS)
PupillaCharites
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If you want it quickly the above sound like reasonable outlets. TGS and some of those other suppliers are like $20 plus shipping, more expensive. My opinion is to save some money on Amazon or just get one used later unless you are a book collector.

Like all garden books, It will show up on eBay almost new, at half price or less, sooner or later. Often you can get gardening books on eBay in like new condition.

I still need to get a look at Amy Goldman's:

The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table: Recipes, Portraits, and History of the World's Most Beautiful Fruit (Hardcover)

which is a $37.50 beautiful hardcover coffee table book from what I can tell and as is typical can be had even on Amazon for $15 in like new condition at the moment.

The last heirloom book I got ...like new ... I'm going to list for some other happy person on eBay (It's basically a book exchange for those of us who don't accumulate) and I'll come out at least even with no complaints which I would recommend to anyone who doesn't like accumulating. No library here. This forum is superb and internet resources doubling every year for tomato information.

No one mentioned, but Lehoullier's is $10 on Amazon on Kindle. Amazon has Lehoullier discounted for under $15, for the paperback, and if you wait till you you have a $35 order, shipping is free. If it doesn't meet your expectation, you can return it in 30 days very economically and with preprinted return labels & no questions or hassle. Hard to beat and what I consider important as a purchaser.

I hope all these authors do well promoting their books, as each one likely has been frustrated with at least one thing dealing with a publisher :-(

PC
carolyn137
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ken B who is with SESE has also posted if you get it from them if you order just one pack of seeds with it it goes by regular mail, not media mail which takes longer.

Carolyn
suncitylinda
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I ordered it from Target for $13 and change and got free shipping. It ships the end of the month. I can hardly wait!
PupillaCharites
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Great find Linda!

Target is estimating for shipment around 12/30. It is $13.86 at Target, $0.77 less than Amazon though Amazon may ship a couple of days sooner; Target collects sales tax in most/all states, so mine was nearly $15 but I ordered. I like the part of paying with PayPal since I don't trust Target with card info, and getting a cash refund if returned by Jan. 24, no questions asked, by dropping it off at their local store.

I read the first page on Amazon and don't like it, but hopefully the main part of the book isn't as poorly written and researched, JMO and it is too soon to tell. The book seems pretty thick so that sounds promising.

Linda's tip at Target: shipping is free, no minimum purchase required, if the book is ordered before Xmas. (Thanks)

Target link for Dr. Lehoullier's Tomato Book

PC

This post was edited by PupillaCharites on Sat, Dec 20, 14 at 12:02
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
When you order from eBay how do you pay?

Do they take credit cards? My credit cards have protection. I don't understand how other payment methods work.
PupillaCharites
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Albert,
Credit cards have varying degrees of protection, many covering you completely in case of fraud, others $50 maximum responsibility, etc. Target is a stupid retailer responsible for the largest credit card hack in human history, a year ago, when 40 million credit card numbers and nearly double that amount of personal customer data were negligently hacked and transferred to Russia as the company stood by and did nothing even as they were informed it was happening.

PayPal is the common form of payment on eBay.. PayPal is owned by eBay now so it is a monopoly from auction to payent and the good part is seamless and fraud protected. With PayPal, you sign up with a bank account and credit card. When you pay for something you purchase online, whether via eBay or someone else who accepts PayPal, the payee only gets your email address, and if required, your phone number PayPal has on file (in which case you are notified the retailer requires the phone number). If it is being shipped to you they also get your shipping address.

With PayPal you can pay with your bank account or credit card account and they also have fraud protection. The benefit is the payee never gets your credit card nor bank account number, only email, maybe phone and shipping address when necessary.

When Target was hacked, all 40 million credit card holders were issued replacement credit cards and their old numbers deactivated. Sometimes people you pay will require you to update the credit card information or the payment may not go through with the old hacked number they have on file. This can be a pain in the rear to update depending on how beaurocratic the place is that you pay, and it is also unnerving especially if the hacker uses the information as part of an identity theft scam which can get miserable.

Home Depot, about three months ago also had an "EPIC" hack and millions again had credit cards deactivated and replaced. Another thing that is annoying is that your bank will never tell you who caused the credit card hack reissue since they are in cahoots to protect the retailers, so you are left being hacked with no clue on who stole your information and has it in their possession.

So PayPal on eBay or also accepted by Target who for online payments, never gives them your account number in the first place so there is less exposure to stupid retailers that get hacked. On eBay, you can still even mail a check directly to many sellers if you choose. A check has your bank account number and is slower and costs a stamp if mailing a paper check, but avoids eBay double-dipping into the profits of sale and payment with their monopoly. With PayPal you can select your credit card as the payment source and it is your choice if fraud happens whether you do your claim through PayPal or directly with the credit card company. PayPal thus conveniently allows individuals selling on eBay to accept credit card payments without having a merchant account with the credit card account or any equipment to process credit cards beyond an email account.

Hope that helps
PC
writersblock (9b/10a)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
>With PayPal, you sign up with a bank account and credit card.

Just wanted to point out that you can pay by credit card with paypal without signing up.
labradors_gw
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I just went to Target and you have to spend $50 to get free shipping and of course there are taxes...

Amazon hiked up the price to $15.21, but you get free shipping if you spend $35.

Guess I'll stick with Amazon.

Linda
PupillaCharites
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The link to Target when posted indicated in the wording free shipping if ordered before Christmas on that page but it was apparently part of the larger online promotion to compete with Amazon for Xmas dollars cut off on 12/20, and the page now says $50 minimum order for getting free shipping, grrrr. I guess the early birds gets the hornworm ;-(. Merry Christmas Linda & December Greetings to All.

PC
whgille
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you fusion for letting us know about the book. Mine came today from Amazon, it looks like I am going to love the book, beautiful pictures and I will be reading soon...

{{gwi:2132351}}

Silvia
labradors_gw
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm SO jealous Silvia!

The early bird gets the hornworm is too funny David!

Merry Christmas and a Happy Tomato-growing New Year to you too!

Linda
hellomygarden
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Can anyone tell me if his methods in the book are natural/synthetic pesticide free?
PupillaCharites
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Barnes & Noble is in the sales fray with just over $15. Free shipping if you buy $25 minimum, which is the lowest I've seen these days.

Don't have my book yet to comment on the organic question, but I don't think the book focuses on organic aspects since the author apparently grows many of his tomatoes in pots. But there is a fine line and it is more political. The book should be a good resource no matter how your grow, but you may want to get an organic or permaculture resource or just organic tomato growing Google around. The organic forum on GW has many helpful folks.

PC
hellomygarden
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you for the reply, PC. The author grows in my general location, so I would be especially eager to hear his methods if he grows pesticide free.... but you are right, it could be helpful either way.
suncitylinda
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I post on another forum where the author is quite active. He is certainly health conscious but I do not think he's an organic grower. As has been mentioned he grows a large number of tomato plants in 5 gallon buckets.
hellomygarden
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you Suncitylinda for your reply also. I don't worry about the growing in buckets, we will probably do that as well, just mostly concerned about the pesticides/fungicides, etc.
smithmal
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I've gotten through about 75% though "Epic Tomatoes" and find it very useful for the novice tomato grower. All aspects of tomato growing is covered in good detail and written in laymen's terms that any aspiring gardener would understand.

The layout of the books contents is done extremely well. CL provides charming stories with all of the tomato varieties he highlights and I found his guidance on creating your own varieties of particular interest.

The photos really brighten up the layout of the book (just in case you weren't totally jazzed about tomatoes in the first place) making your eyes open with wonder with every eye popping tomato variety or growing guidance photo CL provides.

I wish I read this book 5 years ago. Many of the mistakes I've made, could have been easily side stepped if I had this book to guide me.

Well done CL! I'm sure this book will make anyone not already addicted to tomato growing at the very least charmed by your experiences and instruction.

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