Planting Heirloom Tomatoes: By Thaddeus Barsotti

Every winter, I sit down and look over the previous year's tomato sales and any notes I may have made about the farm's tomato production (well, at least the ones I can make sense of). I then tweak the percentages of the varieties we plan to grow that spring and add a few new test varieties to the mix. However, the most important decisions that I make in my warm office while winter stills storms outside, are the tomato planting dates and sizes. Every year we set several strategically planned planting dates. The goal of these dates is to create as close to a uniform supply of the fruit as possible throughout the entire tomato season. This is done by staggering the planting dates so that when we are finishing the harvest of one planting, we are starting to harvest the next planting.

This year, our first planting went into the ground on schedule and with no major obstacles to overcome. However, our second planting was not exactly a textbook procedure. The transplants were ready on schedule, which was unfortunately about ten days earlier than I was actually ready for them. I had enough land prepared for about half of the plants, but the second half were slated for a field with a pump still in mid-assembly. Water for this second field was to come from Cache Creek. The water is pumped out of the creek and into our aluminum main line where it meets up with the hand-move sprinklers before being distributed on the soil. Everything was in place from the water to the pump and from the pump to the sprinklers with the exception of one 8-inch fitting that connects the pump to the main line. Without this fitting the system was useless.

My tomato plants were beginning to look upset about still being cramped in their little trays, and so I headed to Woodland in search of the missing part. Apparently every other farmer in the county needed the same part, as they were sold out and the next order wouldn't arrive for another three weeks. This just would not work; I was already late and waiting three weeks would result in nothing less than disaster. I called up a retired farmer and asked him if he maybe had the part I so desperately needed. He had an 8-inch "T"; I needed an 8-inch "L." However, when combined with an 8-inch plug, it served the purpose. We finally got the last of the second planting into the ground and I was very relieved.

With as much planning, effort, and stress that goes into the growing of these gems, it only seems appropriate to celebrate their harvest. On Saturday, July 26 (when we expect the second planting to be harvested), we are hosting an Heirloom Tomato Gala at the farm with Slow Food Yolo. At 4:30 p.m., we will taste all of the different varieties of tomatoes. Following the tasting will be a dinner complete with Roasted Tomato and Corn Salad, Watermelon Salad with Mint and Ricotta Salata, and grilled local meats, and everything will be accompanied by Yolo County wines. A local bluegrass band will wind down, accompanied by grilled peach popsicles by Chef Jaymes Luu. Happy tomato season!

Heirloom Tomato Tasting and Gala

WHEN and WHERE: Saturday, July 26, at 4:00 p.m. at Capay Fruits and Vegetables, 23800 State Highway 16, Capay, CA 95607

TICKETS: $65 general public; $55 Slow Food members and Farm Fresh to You subscribers.

Call 800-796-6009 or email moyra@farmfreshtoyou.com.

A food-themed silent auction will raise funds for the Kathleen Barsotti Nonprofit for Sustainable Agriculture. The specific purpose of the nonprofit is to benefit the public by promoting sustainability in agriculture and life.