The Tomato Book Review
September 12th, 2009 by Scott |
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The Tomato Book
I received my copy of “The Tomato Book” a few weeks ago now, in the midst of my tomato growing frenzy. Despite only having 4 plants growing in my conservatory, I’ve become a bit of an obsessive and am already planning world tomato domination for next year.
You’ve already seen evidence of my tomato obsession this year through my recipes; “Pappa al Pomodoro“, “How to Make Sun-Dried Tomatoes“, and “Wild Tomato Salad“. For the last one, change “Wild” to “Heirloom” – a bit of an example of my lack of experience helpfully pointed out by my friends on Facebook.
So, I’m a beginner in every sense of the word. I’ve learned about pinching out sideshoots and such-like from the internet but didn’t know what to do when my leaves started going brown around the edges. Luckily, The Tomato Book features easy to follow “What’s wrong with my leaves?” and “What’s wrong with my tomatoes?” fault finding charts.
Helpful Tomato Tips
When I had my first flick through and saw the 60 (or so) page section just describing some of the varieties available out there I was amazed. What a sheltered tomato life I’ve lived. I also had no idea that it was possible to create my own variety through cross-pollination and grafting; a tip best left a couple of years, I think. I’ll never work my way through them all!
Plenty of other tips abound in this great little book; did you know that placing a banana next to green tomatoes encourages them to ripen? Neither did I.
The final section of the book is taken up by preserving tips and recipes; the tomato and marscarpone ice cream sounds particularly mouth watering.
All in all, a great little book which I’ll be coming back to year after year through my tomato growing adventures.
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Have you seen Gary Ibsen’s book another must-have for tomatophiles. I also love them and thought you might be enjoy my first article about heirlooms…Apples of Love: Sensual Pleasures of Heirloom Tomatoes
Jacqueline
I haven’t seen it, but thanks for letting me know about it.
What a great book!! I was thinking to start growing tomatoes (all those fancy coloured ones) myself in my little yard here in North London
Gosia was just about fed up of the plants cluttering up the conservatory by the time I removed them a couple of weeks ago. In the garden next year, I think
Wow, I should probably pick up a copy of this book! I would love to grow tomatoes. I also live in North London, but don’t have a garden at all, so unless that book has indoor growing tips (please say yes!) it will be awhile before I start doing it. The bit about the banana is really interesting too. I read somewhere that apples will prevent potatoes from going bad – I wonder if there are any more magical pairs?
You’ll be glad to hear that it has tips of all kinds!
All I can say is WOW!
Me too. Great read.
I grew small tumbling tomatoes in a window box in our south London flat with some success this year. The outdoor tomatoes in our small north facing front garden weren’t (understandably) not so great. Next year we’ll use all our south facing window-sills to grow tomaotoes! So I should also pick up a copy of the book. : )
Hopefully mine will do better next year, too. I have no excuse now that I have the book.