Last Wednesday I attended Snyder Farm's Open House and Great Tomato Tasting in Pittstown, NJ. This is a 390 acre research farm run by Rutgers, in which they perform various agricultural and environmental studies. The event includes the poplar tomato tasting of 60+ heirloom and hybrid tomatoes. Other highlights include tasting of apples and peaches along with varieties of basil and honey. They also have various teaching gardens on display which demonstrate gardens of deer tolerant ornamentals; blueberries, hazelnuts, and hollies from Rutgers breeding programs; examples of proper tomato plant culture; and a wall of fruit trees for the home landscape. They also had wagon tours of the farm's research plots, chef demonstrations, Jersey Fresh Salsa tastings and educational displays from various organizations.
The Great Tomato Tasting
They had over 60 heirloom and hybrid tomatoes to taste. I was in tomato heaven!
Jersey Tomato Peach Salsa
Wagon Tours of Research Plots
This research plot is a research project where they are tracking Cucurbit Downy Mildew movement. In the distance is another research plot that they are researching the "Rutgers" tomato. Over the years Rutgers tomato has lost it's great flavor and the research farm was able to get original seeds from a seed bank and are now trying to bring back the old great tasting Rutgers tomato.
These are tented basil plants that they are protecting from cross pollination.
Educational Demonstrations
Examples of tomato plant growth habits and types of staking.
Apple tower demo for the home garden.
No comments:
Post a Comment