Tomato Workshop

Highlighting Studies on Growing Organic Heirloom Tomatoes

And Growing Tomatoes with a Microbially Active Biochar Product

When: August 21, 2009 10:00 AM
Where: Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC
Directions at: http://www.agr.state.nc.us/research/mrs.htm
The Studies:

Organic Production of Heirloom and Heirloom-type Hybrid Tomatoes by Jeanine Davis and Dilip Panthee
Farmers and gardeners have been very interested in the organic heirloom tomato studies that we have conducted at this research station since 2004. This year, 11 heirloom tomato varieties and 9 new heirloom-type hybrids are being grown with an organic insect and disease control strategy that we have developed from results from the previous years’ studies. For the first time, we are growing these indeterminate tomatoes on a high-stake, string and weave system instead of a standard trellis system. There will also be a taste test to compare all the varieties.

Assessing the Effects of Fertilizer Rates and Carbon-based Soil Inoculants on Tomato Growth and Yield by Jeanine Davis
Everyone is talking about biochar and how it can improve crop yields, remediate soils, reduce fertilizer use, sequester carbon, and as a byproduct of its manufacturing, be a source of an alternative fuel. This study is one of several in the Southeast testing CHARGROW, a biochar product inoculated with beneficial soil microorganisms. Different formulations of the product were used to grow the transplants at two rates. The plants are being grown under three fertilizer regimes. Organic disease and insect control products are currently being used. A member of the Carbon Char Group will be present to discuss biochar and CHARGROW.

Tomato Sandwiches Provided: Back by popular demand-free tomato sandwiches! Make your own sandwich-we’ll provide the tomatoes, bread and mayonnaise. Chips and tea will round out this light lunch.

Come Prepared: This is an outdoors workshop. We will have canopies set up, tables, and chairs. If we have heavy rain, we will move inside for the taste tests and lunch.

For More Information: Please call Terri Schell at 828-684-3562 or email her at Terri_Schell@ncsu.edu.


Jeanine M. Davis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Email: Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu
Websites: http://ncherb.org
http://ncspecialtycrops.org
http://ncorganic.org
Blog: http://ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeanineNCSU
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanine-Davis/1442912228
Address: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828-684-3562
FAX: 828-684-8715