This page is now a memorial to Troy, who passed away in December 2009, at 69 years of age. He will live on through his wife, children, grandchildren, friends, fellow carpenters and gardeners, and anyone who didn't know how to fix things. We all used to depend on Troy's inventive solutions, and he is greatly missed for that along with his friendship. For more about Troy, please see his obituary.
Heirloom tomatoes were selling for $5.99 per pound in some markets in August 2007. If you are considering growing your own, good choice!
For about 30 years, Troy had been reproducing organic heirloom tomatoes that do well in Palo Alto, California. His plants normally grew to 5-8 ft. with clusters of sometimes 2+ lb. tomatoes. He always started his seeds on Feb. 14th and babied them until it was time they go into the ground (when you can stand barefoot and the ground feels warm).
The term "heirloom" is what it implies. Tomatoes grown from seed passed along through generations. Heirloom seeds will always produce "true" fruit, versus "hybrid tomatoes" whose seeds will revert back to some unknown variety — normally nothing like what you had the year before either in look or taste.
Tomatoes are sturdy plants which don't like to be over watered, and are easy to grow. The essential ingredients for multiple, flavorful tomatoes, are good soil, sun, and moist (not soppy) roots.
(Plant at right is 10' tall as of August 1st, 2007, and still growing! The "Aussie" on the scale speaks for itself!)
