The bird sounds to which we awaken each morning remind us that Spring will arrive shortly. In preparation for outdoor planting, Nelson has been very busy in the warmth and shelter of our greenhouse. Flats and flats of seedlings emerge from their toasty planting mix, where they are positioned over the radiant heat of propagation mats. When mature enough and hardened off, they’ll be tucked into the soil of the garden and put down roots.
Along with a handful of other local farms, Storytree Farm is participating in Washington plant breeder Tom Wagner’s “growout.†Tom has been breeding and tracking "heirloom hybrid" varieties of potatoes and tomatoes for 56 years, in an effort to produce amazing vegetables exhibiting blight resistance, superior flavor and color, and increased nutrient value.
Tom will embark on an international tour taking place this fall, to present his lifetime body of work in lectures and workshops. Tom’s tomato and potato varieties that we’ll be “trialing†at Storytree Farm are nothing short of incredible.
Potatoes range from deep orange to dark purple, and pinks to varying shades of yellow. Tom states that many of the varieties he has selected for trials contain higher amounts of protein, antioxidants, and other nutrients than commercially-grown varieties.
One of the deep purple varieties, with a Peruvian pedigree, is actually used by native people to produce a dye.
Tom's tomatoes? Nothing short of stupendous. Names like Green Zebra and Cherry Keep, colors ranging from green, red, orange, and various striped and bicolored versions of each, dazzle the eye and tempt the palate.
Stay tuned for updates!