Ripe Tomato Revolution - by Frank Hyman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Whether your favorite is a juicy beefsteak, a flavorful heirloom, or a sweet cherry, knowing how to grow tomatoes to near-perfection will save your gardening reputation and your sanity. Former organic tomato farmer and avid tomato home grower Frank Hyman has spent 40 years perfecting the art of 'mater cultivation and now he's ready to spill the proverbial beans with insight on everything from how to build the "World's Best Tomato Cage" to preventing common tomato buzz-killers, like late blight, hornworms, and blossom-end rot. In his classic folksy tone, Frank puts the fun back into tomato growing with advice overflowing with wit and wisdom.

Grow your BEST tomatoes ever by learning how to:

• Create the perfect tomato-growing soil and site
• Construct the best caging and trellising options, including the Cat's Cradle
• Select and use the best mulches for tomatoes
• Water tomatoes properly for healthier plants
• Overcome challenges such as pests, weeds, and diseases
• Choose the best tomato varieties
• Start seeds at home for the best results
• Maximize your yields and really "bring home the bacon" for that BLT! (All gardeners know who the real star of a great BLT is...)

Use the detailed growing advice in RipeTomato Revolution and fall in love with growing tomatoes all over again.

Review Quotes

"Frank Hyman's latest book is a fresh, inspiring guide to growing exceptional tomatoes with confidence and success. Packed with practical, easy-to-apply techniques, solid horticultural science, and a healthy dose of humor, it's a must-read for gardeners of every skill level. Blending experience and enthusiasm, this book helps readers cultivate abundant, flavorful harvests, one tomato at a time!"

"Frank Hyman's Ripe Tomato Revolution is a master class in growing tomatoes smarter, not harder, brilliantly practical and refreshingly rebellious. His innovative tomato houses, mobile compost bins, and rain-harvesting systems challenge conventional wisdom with creative solutions that actually work. At the same time, his garden humor and down-to-earth approach make seasoned gardeners nod and beginners feel genuinely confident."

"If you have a question about growing tomatoes, I can pretty much guarantee that Frank answers it in this book. And in addition to all the how-to information (which is comprehensive and accurate) you'll learn how to mimic the tomato's native habitat (so it feels at home!), why it IS safe to use pressure treated lumber in a raised bed (who knew?), and what the difference is between an unripe tomato and a green-ripe tomato just perfect for frying. Frank is not only an accomplished grower, but also a horticultural myth-buster who combines humor with science, which makes for excellent reading. This is by far the best tomato-growing book I have ever read."

"It's like Frank Hyman is sharing tomato wisdom over the garden fence in this colorful, friendly book. With lots of pictures for the do-it-yourselfer and tomato-growing options for many scenarios, even the seasoned tomato grower can find hacks to get more from their tomato patch."--

"Whether you say to-may-to or to-mah-to, Frank Hyman's in-depth guide to growing tomatoes is absolutely indispensable and utterly captivating."

About the Author

Frank Hyman studied horticulture at NCSU under one of the great horticulturists of all time, Dr. JC Raulston. He managed an organic tomato farm in North Carolina, selling tomatoes to chefs and small groceries. He has over 40 years of experience growing tomatoes at home and sells the "World's Best Tomato Tower" to local gardeners, farmers, and homesteaders near his home in Durham, North Carolina. He has written hundreds of articles and essays for publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Organic Gardening, Urban Farm, Hobby Farms, Mother Earth News, Horticulture, Fine Gardening, and more. He is the owner of Cottage Garden Landscaping, a design/build/plant business, and is an award-winning garden designer.