Tomatomania in California?

kilroyscarnival · February 11, 2013

Someone (I think a waitress at a restaurant) mentioned a Facebook page called The Urban Farm and Garden, and I started following it. Today I saw a post about something called Tomatomania at Roger's Gardens, in Corona Del Mar, California, March 8-10. Obviously it's a little far for me, but I was wondering whether anyone knew about, or should.

http://rogersgardens.com/seminars-ev...nia-weekend-2/ Here's the info. Obviously I don't know enough about it to make a recommendation, though I searched and saw past posts saying nice things about Roger's Gardens.

- Ann

Deborah · February 11, 2013

Great page ! I clickled on LIKE. If anyone wants to friend me I'm Deborah Riddlespurger Long.
Oh, that awful maiden name-but I had to use it as there are so many Deborah Longs.

**carolyn137** · February 11, 2013

Tomatomania was first started by Hortus Nursery in Pasadena, CA, and after it closed one of the owners kind of kept it going.

I was invited out to Hortus quite a few years ago to do a dog and pony show about heirloom tomatoes and while there met many CA folks I'd known from elsewhere as well as Tom Wagner who drove down from Bakersfield where he was then living,to meet me although we'd known each other via phone since about 1990. They also had a branch store in Orange County.

So now the event moves around to different places in CA and it's all about selling tomato plants with a few speaker sessions at some places.

Carolyn

gardencowboy · February 15, 2013

Glad to see talk of Tomatomania here. Yes, (and thanks Carolyn it was nice to meet you way back when at Hortus) it's a series of 18 events this season; tomato seedling sales and related events all across California and in a couple sites on the east coast too.Check out tomatomania.com and come see us, we have a great time in the spring.

Crandrew · February 15, 2013

I live about 1 mi from Rogers Gardens. You should see the store yourself....its something else. I cant shop there because its $$$$

**carolyn137** · February 15, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardencowboy

Glad to see talk of Tomatomania here. Yes, (and thanks Carolyn it was nice to meet you way back when at Hortus) it's a series of 18 events this season; tomato seedling sales and related events all across California and in a couple sites on the east coast too.Check out tomatomania.com and come see us, we have a great time in the spring.

I did recieve an e-mail fromTomatomania and I thought I'd posted it here somewhere, but can't remember where. I guess I'll always be on their list. Is Steve Goto still participating? When he first started I was helping him find seed sources for some tomato varieties.

Right now I can't remember the last name of the brothers who ran Hortus Nursery, but I know that one of them initially went to Armstrong Nurseries, and last I knew it was a lady who was heading up the multiple sites in CA as far as even planning.

So we met. How can I say this but I just don't remember you but the place was packed with folks, I was sitting under that tent signing copies of my book and answering questions and it was the same at the store in Orange County.

Carolyn, who when out there was also feted by one of the members who was at the AOL Tomato Forum whenDonna andIwee there, he lived in Pacific Palisades and it's quite a drive up there and if weren't for the fog I'm sure the view would have been spectacular, as he said it was.

Carolyn

Ms. Jitomate · February 17, 2013

Steve Goto will be at Roger's Garden on March 9. Too far for me but he has has own tomato events all over southern California. From his website: http://www.gotomato.us.com/upcoming-events/

**carolyn137** · February 18, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms. Jitomate

Steve Goto will be at Roger's Garden on March 9. Too far for me but he has has own tomato events all over southern California. From his website: http://www.gotomato.us.com/upcoming-events/

Thanks for the link and I will contact him to see if he remembers me.

There was a rough patch in his life when he lost the land that he had, I don't remember the details, but clearly he's back in business and doing well.

Carolyn

materlvr · February 20, 2013

I've been to Roger's Gardens during many of their Tomatomania events. They used to have almost every variety you could think of but last year was a big bust. I only found 1 out of 8 varities on my list. I ended up getting several I'd never heard of. If you live nearby (I drove almost 200 miles) and aren't looking for much the nursery is drop dead gorgeous and it's worth the trip. Carolyn, you're right, Steve Goto is speaking that weekend. Also, if you can go on Friday, the weekend is CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!

February 11, 2013	#1
kilroyscarnival Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 614	Tomatomania in California? Someone (I think a waitress at a restaurant) mentioned a Facebook page called The Urban Farm and Garden, and I started following it. Today I saw a post about something called Tomatomania at Roger's Gardens, in Corona Del Mar, California, March 8-10. Obviously it's a little far for me, but I was wondering whether anyone knew about, or should. http://rogersgardens.com/seminars-ev...nia-weekend-2/ Here's the info. Obviously I don't know enough about it to make a recommendation, though I searched and saw past posts saying nice things about Roger's Gardens. - Ann

February 11, 2013	#3
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Tomatomania was first started by Hortus Nursery in Pasadena, CA, and after it closed one of the owners kind of kept it going. I was invited out to Hortus quite a few years ago to do a dog and pony show about heirloom tomatoes and while there met many CA folks I'd known from elsewhere as well as Tom Wagner who drove down from Bakersfield where he was then living,to meet me although we'd known each other via phone since about 1990. They also had a branch store in Orange County. So now the event moves around to different places in CA and it's all about selling tomato plants with a few speaker sessions at some places. Carolyn __________________ Carolyn

February 11, 2013	#2
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	Great page ! I clickled on LIKE. If anyone wants to friend me I'm Deborah Riddlespurger Long. Oh, that awful maiden name-but I had to use it as there are so many Deborah Longs.

February 15, 2013	#4
gardencowboy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ojai, California Posts: 3	Glad to see talk of Tomatomania here. Yes, (and thanks Carolyn it was nice to meet you way back when at Hortus) it's a series of 18 events this season; tomato seedling sales and related events all across California and in a couple sites on the east coast too.Check out tomatomania.com and come see us, we have a great time in the spring.

February 15, 2013	#5
Crandrew Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: asdf Posts: 1,202	I live about 1 mi from Rogers Gardens. You should see the store yourself....its something else. I cant shop there because its $$$$

February 17, 2013	#7
Ms. Jitomate Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Gabriel Valley, CA Posts: 99	Steve Goto will be at Roger's Garden on March 9. Too far for me but he has has own tomato events all over southern California. From his website: http://www.gotomato.us.com/upcoming-events/

February 20, 2013	#9
materlvr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Temecula, CA Zone 9b Posts: 181	I've been to Roger's Gardens during many of their Tomatomania events. They used to have almost every variety you could think of but last year was a big bust. I only found 1 out of 8 varities on my list. I ended up getting several I'd never heard of. If you live nearby (I drove almost 200 miles) and aren't looking for much the nursery is drop dead gorgeous and it's worth the trip. Carolyn, you're right, Steve Goto is speaking that weekend. Also, if you can go on Friday, the weekend is CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!