Second Annual Contra Costa Master Gardener Great Tomato Plant Sale

Once a year, Contra Costa Master Gardeners open their demonstration garden for a day celebrating tomatoes. Thousands of heirloom plants, representing more than 40 proven varieties from Ace to Zebra, will be on sale to get the spring planting season off to a healthy start. This year, tomatoes will be joined by a selection of artichoke, eggplants, sweet and chili peppers, and tomatillos, all selected for their success in Contra Costa home gardens – from Richmond to Brentwood.

Located at the new “Our Garden,” Master Gardener demonstration site, the Great Tomato Plant Sale is an educational family event. Experts will be on hand to provide advice about plant selection, site location and preparation, planting, fertilizing, pruning, and harvesting.  Avid gardeners can get specific questions answered and learn about strategies to minimize plant disease and maximize production.

Improving upon last year’s experience, this sale will include three times as many plants.  In 2012, all the plants were sold out in the first three hours.  “We had a winning event last year, and we’re back with more tomatoes, the addition of other vegetables, and more volunteers to make it even better,” says Liz Rottger, event organizer and president of the Contra Costa Master Gardeners.

Among the heirloom varieties on sale this year are:

Aunt Ruby’s German Green:  a green beefsteak with a delicious flavor

Caspian Pink: “Queen of the Pinks,” incredibly sweet and juicy fruit

Black Krim: rare Russian beefsteak with intense, slightly salty flavor

Currant Tomatoes:  yielding hundreds of ruby-like tomatoes per plant

Hawaiian Pineapples:  colossal 1-2 pound tomatoes with a  fruity, slightly pineapple taste

San Marzanos: famous Italian heirloom grown for delicious tomato sauce

Boxcar Willie: bright orange-red slicer with a rich, sweet flavor and enough acid to give it a little tanginess.

Momotaro: most popular tomato in Japan with sweet and tangy taste

SunSugar:  orange cherry tomatoes, very flavorful and juicy

All proceeds from CCMG fundraisers are returned to the community through the staffing of the Help Desk, Speakers Bureau, Our Garden, School Gardens, Farmer’s Markets and other activities. Contra Costa Master Gardener Help Desk is available for phone calls Monday – Thursday, 9am to noon, (925) 646-6586.