[tomato] Fall '99 Tomato Trials

cvinson@mindspring.com (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Mon, 21 Jun 1999 15:45:43 -0400 

I've hesitated to post this here, since it's sure not my intention to
introduce off-topic talk or clog up the list with questions about tomato
trials, but finally got talked into it, since all of us here are "tomato
heads"!

So, if you're live in an area of the country where it's possible to grow a
fall crop of tomatoes (zones 8-11, as a general rule) and would like to
participate in a wholly *non-commercial* growing trial of several hundred
varieties of tomatoes (open pollinated, heirloom, and hybrids) send an
e-mail note to asidv@fbg.net for information you'll need to decide if you
want to participate.

Seeds for six different varieties (coded, so nobody knows which varieties he
or she is growing) are provided at no cost (except exact postage--usually 54
cents in U.S.) in exchange for filling out reporting forms during the
growing season. If you also save seed following a set procedure and/or make
a monetary contribution to either Seeds of Hope or Garden State Heirloom
Seed Society, you'll automatically receive free seed for next spring's
trials, as well.

Why tomato trials? For the fun of growing tomatoes, first and foremost. To
add to the information to be included in a book "The Internet Tomatoes" that
will be published next spring. To share information with and to make new
friends among growers around the globe (several hundred are currently
participating in the spring trials).

Participants in the trials include market gardeners, home gardeners,
horticulturists, extension office representatives, master gardeners, and
students. Anybody and everybody is eligable--with the exception of people
representing commercial companies--since the trials are strictly
non-commercial.

So, if you're interested, send a note OFF-LIST to asidv@fbg.net or me (the
book's author who is always behind answering e-mail) at
cvinson@mindspring.com. Seed for the fall trials will be mailed during the
next two weeks, so time is fairly short.

Catharine/Atlanta, zone 7b