A recent study coming out of U C Davis confirms that organically grown tomatoes are much healthier for you than conventionally grown ones.  Think this news is coming too late for tomato growing this year? Think again! Tomato King, Steve Goto, is bringing his organically grown Cool Season Tomatoes to Yamagami’s Nursery August 25th and 26th from 10 AM to 2 PM for planting in your late summer garden. Planted by September, they will grow and fruit this fall and into winter. Imagine serving homegrown, vine-ripened tomatoes at your Thanksgiving feast!

Steve’s tomatoes are heirloom varieties from places like Siberia where the growing season is cool. Steve grows them not only with organic fertilizer and soils, but also uses his secret blend of amendments for the healthiest plants, most likely to thrive in cool weather.

The conclusion drawn from the recent UC Davis study was that tomatoes not having to metabolize chemical fertilizers, spend their energy developing their own immune systems and thus withstand stress (like cold) better. The “secret” recipe that Steve uses and recommends is formulated to boost plants immune system. The best part of this is that boosting plants immune system results in greater production of the very things that make tomatoes so good for you, flavonoids and lycopene.

Come to Yamagami’s Nursery August 25th and 26th from 10 AM to 2 PM to learn Steve’s secrets to success with cool season tomatoes and start a new healthy tradition of a second season of harvest. Mike Castro, developer of Wormagic, will also be here to tell you how to grow the best and healthiest tomatoes possible.  The Steve and Mike shows will go on the hour at 11 AM, 12 noon and 1 PM. They will be available for questions in between talks. Join us for a healthy good time. Yamagami’s Nursery, when you want to succeed…the first time!

Click here to view the list of Steve's Cool Season Tomatoes arriving 8/25!

Who's your bud? Not the budworm. When the weather warms up, you can bet this pest is on its way. The budworm (a type of caterpillar/moth) is gunning for your geraniums, petunias, snapdragons, and other flowering plants. Knowing the budworm's diet, habits, and the effective control methods, you will be armed and ready for combat.

It can be hard to spot budworms. They are very small and they tend to take on the color of the bloom or foliage they are infesting, further enhancing their camouflage. You will see irregular chewing on the blossoms and round holes through flower buds and leaves. The numerous black droppings they leave behind are one of the telltale signs. Many gardeners may not know they have a problem until the damage becomes severe.  

Controlling this pest depends on the size of the affected planting. With a small patio of plants, physically removing and killing them should be effective. A larger garden will require spraying. Insecticides that contain Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), such as Safer Caterpillar Killer, offer reasonably effective biological control. Because the Bt must be ingested by the insect to be effective, it may take a few days before you no longer see any signs of budworms. Another organic solution, Monterey Garden Insect Control, is very effective in controlling budworms and lasts up to 10 days. It contains Spinosad and should be sprayed at dusk to avoid spraying bees.

Now that you know what to look for, and what to spray, you'll be armed and ready for this summer pest.