2021 Mar | "Everything you wanted to know about Tomatoes" Dave Olson & Cheryl Forrest

Dakota County Master Gardeners Dave Olson and Cheryl Forrest are presenting their topic "Everything you want to know about Tomatoes."  Dave and Ellen will guide us through successful tomato growing techniques, starting with growing the plants from seeds, transplanting them to larger containers, hardening them off, and then planting  them in the garden.  Included in this presentation will be information on the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes and the advantages of both heirloom and hybrids.

They will present about ideas about selecting particular varities and talk about choosing cherry, medium sized beefsteak tomatoes depending upon your space and personal preference.   They will also give tips on summer maintenance including watering, fertilizing, preventing disease, mulching and staking.  Last, they will share information about harvesting and preserving the extra tomatoes safely and easily.  

Dave Olson Grew up on a farm in Kandiyohi County and also enjoyed a family vegetable garden.  He seriously started growing tomatoes 40 years ago and has become a Master Gardener tomato-growing leader  for the annual plant sale for the Dakota County Master Gardeners.  He becamse a DCMG in 2009.

Cheryl Forrest grew up on a farm in Waseca County and worked in her mother's vegetable garden.  She has gardened all her life and became a master gardener in 2004.  For the Master Gardener sale she has started over 50 varities and 1,500 plants.  At home she grows 30 tomatoes annually and juices, cans, dries ad shares them with friends. 

The speaker presentation will be followed by our monthly business meeting led by club president Sue Williamschen.