June Newsletter: Juicy Tomato Vol. 1-3
The Legend of the Evil Tomato Who Didn’t Know What It Was
Our tale begins in the early Aztec period around 700 ACE when the earliest evidence of tomatoes was found, making the tomato indigenous to the Americas. However, it was not until the 16th century, with the arrival of the European explorers that the tomato was brought back to Europe and eagerly accepted by the Southern Europeans (think Italy) but alas and alack, not so much in Northern Europe. While the British thought the tomato was a beautiful plant, they believed it was poisonous as its appearance was similar to the noxious wolf peach.
As it so happened, the European 1% used flatware made of pewter, which as we all know, has a very high lead content. Any food that was high in acid, like the evil tomato, would create a situation where the lead would leech out into the food causing lead poisoning and possible death. So the 1% avoided tomatoes like the plague while the rest of the population ate off of wooden tableware and were happy to eat tomatoes while not suffering any consequences other than some mild acid reflux.
By the 1800s, we recall the beginning of a mass immigration to the United States and the many different people who were bringing over aspects of their different cuisines. Thanks to the Italians again, we saw the invention of pizza in Naples and of course the acceptance of tomatoes as the favorite topping once pizza made its appearance in many of our American cities. Consequently the evil tomato has shed its “evil” connotation and has now become a staple in both our gardens and our kitchens.
We now must confront the serious matter of identity – is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable? A reasonable definition of a fruit is an edible plant, with a mature ovary like any flowering plant, usually eaten raw and experienced as sweet. However, since the tomato is not sweet, it was classified as a vegetable. (Botanists still consider the tomato as a fruit because of the pulpy insides surrounding the seeds. Horticulturists, however, would consider it a vegetable.) But most surprisingly, the tomato was classified as a fruit to avoid taxation in the US until the late 1800s. But that status changed when the Supreme Court, in its eternal wisdom, ruled that the tomato was most certainly a vegetable and was then susceptible to taxes. So our shape-shifting tomato has gone from being thought of as a deadly but beautiful plant, to a tax-avoiding fruit and finally a taxable vegetable. And it is this taxable vegetable that should start appearing in our gardens any day now.
Susan Marcus
Dates to Remember
Friday, June 7: Horticulture Happy Hour- BYOB and enjoy the community
Sunday, June 9: Mike will be in the garden to help with planting. It’s time to get those tomatoes planted.
Friday, June 14: Horticulture Happy Hour- BYOB and enjoy the community
Friday, June 21: Horticulture Happy Hour- BYOB and enjoy the community
Sunday, June 23: Mike will be in the garden to help with planting. It’s time to get those tomatoes planted.
Saturday, June 24: Representatives from the Cook County Farm Bureau will visit our garden and present a grant recipient sign for our garden.
Friday, June 28: Horticulture Happy Hour- BYOB and enjoy the community
Dear Gardeners,
This month we have a lot of shop keeping to do. With all of these questions not needing much background or explanation, I’ll give them to you in a concise Q&A format. I hope you find this helpful as your garden begins to really flourish.
Q- Now that I have a "Chia Pet' plot full tiny sprouts, what do I do to make room as things grow?
A- Wait one more week or until they are about 2-3 inches high, then take a sharp scissors or nippers and cut a straight row- of about a half-inch. Think like you are mowing the lawn. This will make space between your rows of mown sprouts for those remaining to expand. The greens that you cut can be used on sandwiches and smoothies, or as a garnish. They are micro-greens. One thing here, when you cut like a lawn mower, you are leaving the root structures in place to hold the medium in place. This is key to keep erosion at a minimum.
Q- I am confused if I need a black cover or a white cover, which one should I use?
A- If you are only planting mature plants and seedlings, like tomato plants, flower plants, roses, then the black one is fine. The thick black cover will cover the white medium and diminish erosion. Cut a small hole and transplant your seedling. You may wish to put Osmocote (1 teaspoon max) right by the roots, and a small amount of D1 (the wood chip looking pellets that expand) by the hole in the cover to hold down the medium and support the plant. Remember, the pellets expand exponentially, so 2tsp is the maximum you’d need.
Alternatively, the white cover is a Floating Row cover, a lightweight breathable fabric that allows air and UV light to reach the plants and seeds. If you are covering newly planted seeds or small brand new tiny seedlings it is best to cover your plot completely. Just leave the white cover loose enough that the plants can grow a little underneath. It will help to double the edges to secure the cover when using the staple gun.
Q- I want to eventually not have it covered, can I do that?
A- Only if you have something to hold the medium down in place. The wind will pick up the white medium and it blows around makes a mess on the deck, and clogs the drains. Look around at your neighbors and see how they have handled things. You may wish to continue a blanket of kale, basil, broccoli, or bean sprouts. Something alive with roots will do wonders to keep the medium in place. Ask Mike or Vicky where the D1 (wood pellets) are if you need help.
Q- Will some plots stay covered all season?
A- Yes. Plot 35 is a great example. There are flowers and a variety of other seeds/ seedlings planted in it. Because not every inch is covered and it is in a extreme wind tunnel location, Mike advised it stay covered all year. The white will allow the seeds to grow. The hole size will be adjusted to accommodate the expanding growth of the flowers and other plants.
Q- I want to have tomatoes. Can I trellis?
A- A vertical single stem trellis, or a tripod type is best. If the trellis is too heavy or not able to be secured in the medium it could be a projectile in the wind. Secure everything you use firmly as possible. Please inspect your plot after a particularity hard storm. Bush varieties are best for both tomatoes and beans rather than those which require elaborate trellising.
Q- It rained yesterday, do I need to water today?
A- If you planted seeds, or if your plants are very small, then yes, perhaps. The water sinks to the bottom of the plot and if the top is dry, your roots cannot get any water. If you have mature plants transplanted in the plot, then the rain yesterday may still be soaking their roots.
I hope this helps. Keep the questions coming. If you are unsure, it’s likely another in our gardening community has a similar questions.
Happy Growing,
Rose
Rona’s Resources
June events
Saturday, June 8, 1pm Designing with Perennials. (TNC)Learn the many ways to use perennials to create colorful color combinations, mix different textures, and add a pop of personality. 1 p.m. Free. No registration. The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Rd., Aurora (630-820-8088) thegrowingplace.com
Sunday, June 9, 1pm- 3pm Basic Plant ID (TAC)Get the botany basics you need to identify plants. Whether you are a natural resources volunteer or specialist, gardener, naturalist, or artist this class provides the fundamentals you need to get started at The Morton Arboretum. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, FEE Info and registration: 630-719-2468 or mortonarb.org.
Tuesday, June 11, 6pm . (WAC)Make a Mason Jar Wall Planter. It’s Tipsy Tuesday! Using mason jars, hooks, wood and string staff will help you create a rustic wall planter you can use to hold plants, cut flowers or even a candle. 6 p.m. $40. Call 630-355-4000 to register. The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Rd., Aurora (630-820-8088) thegrowingplace.com
Thursday, June 13, 6:30-8:30pm, Caring for Perennials Walking tour (TAC)
Stroll the Arboretum's stunning perennial beds where you’ll learn about plant placement, dividing, transplanting, watering, fertilizing, mulching and more. Knowing what to do and when to do it will help keep your perennial gardens looking good from spring through fall. See how things change each month and season--no walk is the same!
The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 8 to 11 a.m. $34. Info and registration: 630-719-2468 or mortonarb.org.
Friday, June 14, 10am -2pm (Tour AC)
Plant Lovers Delight: Tour a Historic Estate Garden
Enjoy a tour of the two acre gardens at the historic Milne home built in 1842 in Lockport. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 8 to 11 a.m. FEE Info and registration: 630-719-2468 or mortonarb.org.
Thursday, June 20, 9:30 am -12:30pm
Designing a Lower-Maintenance Garden (TAC)
Get a beautiful garden without all the work! In this class, horticulturist Marcy Stewart-Pyziak will show you how smart design and good plant selection will allow you to spend less time tending and more time enjoying your garden
The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. 8 to 11 a.m. FEE Info and registration: 630-719-2468 or mortonarb.org.
June 20: Two Cantigny Garden tours. Both free with paid parking. Both require advance registration. Cantigny Gardens, 1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.. For classes and events requiring advance registration, call 630-260-8162 or email register@cantigny.org. Regular daily parking is $5 per car.
1 pm Staff Plant Picks. New for 2019, this tour by Cantigny’s horticulture staff takes place monthly through October, on the third Thursday. As you stroll, staff members will choose a personal favorite plant of the month and share information about it — a bit of science, growing advice and some fun facts, too. Please register in advance.
6pm Evening Garden Tour. Celebrate the start of summer with a guided tour led by Jackie Kosbab and Craig Kruckenberg from Cantigny Horticulture. Advance registration requested. Tour begins from the Visitors Center at 6 p.m.
June 22, 9am-5pm Gardener’s Art Fest. (O)Over 30 local artists, live music, garden talks and more. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Check the website thegrowingplace.com for schedule of talks and activities. The Growing Place, and 25W471 Plank Rd., Naperville (630-355-4000). thegrowingplace.com
June 22, 10am-12 noon (O)
Garden Work Day. Peterson Garden Project
Free; Garden locations vary; sign up at https://petersongarden.org/event/may-garden-work-day/ by choosing one
Codes above refer to the following: Workshop (Free) –WNC
Workshop (Admission Charge) –WAC
Talk (Free) -TNC
Talk (Admission Charge)- TAC
Plant Show (Free) PNC
Plant Show (Admission Charge) – PAC
Plant Sale - Sale
Other – O
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