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The best part of summer is a fresh, sun-warmed red juicy vine
ripened tomato. Depending on where you live this can be a long
or short season.
So how do you pick a tomato in your local store? One important
trait is its smell. If it looks like a tomato and smells like a
tomato, it is a good tomato to pick. Choose a tomato with no
bruises or cracks. Always try to support your local growers in
your community for their fresh vegetables.
There are three different types of tomatoes. They are cherry
tomatoes- good for salads and eating, plum tomatoes- good for
sauce, soups and canning and don't forget the slicing
tomatoes-great on a fresh bread on those hot summer days.
Tomatoes should be left on the counter and most importantly
never refrigerate them.
Nutritionist have been saying that tomatoes are good for you
because they contain Lycopene. "Lycopene is a powerful
antioxidant abundant in red tomatoes and processed tomato
products, it may help prevent prostate cancer and some other
forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases",
according to lycopene.org.
If you look out on my deck you will see the most beautiful
tomatoes ever. I know this because our neighbors are constantly
checking over our fence and it is not so see us. This is because
we found a fool proof way to grow tomatoes with very little
work. The secret is using "Earth Boxes" earthbox.com.
Once you fill the earth box with all that is required, soil,
lime and fertilizer you go to your local garden center and
purchase tomato plants. The tomato plant is contained in the box
and the soil is covered so there is no weeding. Earth boxes are
self watering containers so you can't over water your plants.
This is great because it takes up very little space. Just place
them where you get lots of sun and water as needed about every
1-3 days.
Personally, I choose to grow the beefsteak variety along with
sweet 100 cherry tomatoes. Don't forget to plant some green leaf
lettuce for completely fresh salads during the summer.
Now what do you do with all these tomatoes? How about canning?
Sauce? Salsa? The possibilities are endless. Go online for many
recipes and suggestions.
Article written by Gary Nave of http://www.just-tomatoes.com
About the author:
Gary Nave writes for www.just-tomatoes.com
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