Elm Street Gardens: Whoppers

It’s been tomato time here at Elm Street Gardens since mid-June, but there is nothing to compare to the great big varieties that are responding to the heat of mid summer and showing off in all their glory now. I don’t think we’ve ever grown ones this big or at least not as many of these wonderful giants as we have this year.

Some of the size, of this year’s tomatoes, of course, is due to the varieties we have chosen, including Cherokee Purples, Brandywines, Mortgage Lifters and Dr. Wyche’s, all heirloom varieties. But we are also attributing some of their exceptional growth to our rich soil, which only gets better every year with the constant addition of our compost and other natural mulching materials. There are a number of other factors such as proper nurturing and control, the practice of picking off unwanted suckers, regular use of our drip irrigation system and the warmth of the Georgia sun. One thing is for sure; It certainly is not due to the favorite of a local gardener who attributes the unusual size of his tomatoes to the chemical wonders of “Miracle Gro.”

Nope, we are steadfast in growing naturally and get these spectacular tomatoes by doing it the old fashioned way with good soil, good care and the help of Mother Nature. Big does not always equal better, but these large-fruited varieties we are growing have superb flavor too. Biggest problem: Making sure before you cut into one that you’ve got enough people around to share one of these giant size fruits. You certainly don’t want a bite to go to waste!