I love tomatoes. I grew up living next door to my grandparent’s farm and as a child helped them pick bushels of tomatoes – for selling, for canning and for eating. My own family also had a garden where we grew tomatoes, other vegetables and fruit. Later when I had my own home, I had a garden and tomatoes have always been a big part of it. Therefore, when I saw this book I could not wait to read it. The subtitle is Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply- Including Heirloom Tomatoes and I feel it lives up to that.

While most people will use this as a reference tool, I wanted to read the entire book and found it very readable. It really is a complete guide, for the novice and for those who have been growing tomatoes for years. Looking at the Table of Contents, you can see the book is well organized and arranged in a way that makes sense and makes it easy to follow. I would suggest if you are just getting started growing tomatoes, start at the beginning and work through the book. I think that even the seasoned grower will learn things as Everhart includes natural methods for growing and information about newer species. She also gives information about Heirloom tomatoes, though not new there has been a resurgence of their use in family gardens. They taste delicious and add much color to recipes. I also like the Case Study sections that are included throughout the book giving firsthand accounts from experts in the field and other growers who have unique information to share with growers. The thorough index will be a handy reference tool for your future use.

In addition, to the selection, planting and caring for tomatoes, there are also ideas for what to do with the fruit of your labor: not just eating, with some great recipes, but preserving, and pickling. The Appendix includes other sources to help you in growing tomatoes: websites, extension offices and other books.

This book is part of Atlantic Publishing Group’s Back to Basics Growing series and I encourage them to add to this series as more people are gardening today. The book has many photographs but I wish they were not in black and white so you could see the different colors of tomatoes especially the beautiful heirloom varieties. However, I highly recommend this book for all of you who love tomatoes and want to learn more about growing your own. ( )

Imagine going out into your garden in the back yard or to your container garden and picking a warm sun-ripened tomato off the vine. Yes, it can be done regardless if you have an acre of land, a small plot, or a bunch of containers; all will give you the opportunity to grow tomatoes.

This book is perfect for a first-timer gardener or a novice. You will learn the difference between hybrid and heirloom tomatoes, how to select the proper site, how to start seedlings, how to plant outside, how to support the vines, what other plants companion with the tomatoes, all about pests and diseases, as well as how to care for the plants. For those that don't have garden space there is a great section on container and raised bed gardening. And, then there is the award - harvesting.

I've been a long time tomato grower and have yielded wonderful crops. Cherie H. Everhart covers every aspect you need to know and she does so in lay terms. This step-by-step guide is sure to yield a bountiful and delicious crop for you and the end result will be one to savor. It's time we return to basics and nourish our bodies with wholesome homegrown foods. ( )

I’ve been taking an interest in growing vegetables at home for the past few years. Last year, I had a terrible time with growing tomatoes. So, I was very eager to review The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes.

I wasn’t aware of the different types of tomatoes - slicers, stuffers, sauce tomatoes, small tomatoes, and many other varieties. This book gives you a brief history on the origins of the tomato, the history of the tomatoes in Europe, North America, and the modern history of the American tomato.

You will learn about the light requirements, wind protection, erosion control, soil testing and plant testing. Chapter 4 teaches you about starting a tomato from a seed, while chapter 5 teaches you how and where to plant your tomato plants.

The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes is an interesting read for any new or advanced gardener. I will keep in mind some of the tips when I plant tomato plants this year. ( )

“The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes” is chock-full of everything imaginable relating to tomatoes. Author Cherie Everhart begins with a history of the tomato and its gradual spread across the world. She walks the reader through a comprehensive list of the various types of tomatoes to include heirloom varieties with descriptions and recommended uses of each. For example, some tomatoes are better for using in sauces while others are better for slicing and eating fresh. Everhart also gives detailed information on how to grow tomato plants with soil, lighting, watering, fertilizing, and companion planting in mind for optimal results. She also gives specific state extension center resources to assist the reader in soil analysis and a garden log for easy recordkeeping. Whether you are a beginner or an expert gardener, “The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes” has something for you.

I had no idea there could be so much to learn about tomatoes! While they are relatively easy to grow, I found the additional information on tomato history and all of the different varieties and uses quite fascinating. Further, I thought her recommendations on growing specific plants nearby in order to enhance the growth or taste of the tomato to be a fun way to experiment if you already know the ins and outs of basic gardening. Everhart writes with an easy style that makes learning about this debated ‘fruit or vegetable?’ quick and fun. You’ll be ready to plant before you even finish reading!

“The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes” is the perfect read for the beginner as well as the experienced and even the large area, greenhouse, and container gardener. Easy to follow information makes starting the process extremely fast while case studies from the experts on their ‘tried and true’ techniques can assist in avoiding unnecessary mistakes. I especially liked Everhart’s inclusion of organic methods. Many people today grow their own gardens to provide healthier alternatives to chemically fertilized foods and a cheaper alternative to the expensive grocery store organic selection. Her valuable information helps the would-be gardener grow their own food while ensuring they maintain that ‘organic’ distinction. A must read if you are even thinking about planting tomatoes!

Reviewed by Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal” ( )