>> NOTHING IS BETTER THAN FRESH FOOD FROM THE GARDEN.

>> THIS PLANT WILL SHOOT UP ADDITIONAL LEAF TISSUE.

>> THE PROGRAM WAS TO CREATE FOOD FOR THE PUBLIC.

THEY ARE PUBLIC ORCHARDS.

>> IT IS A LOT OF WORK BUT IT IS WORTH IT WHEN YOU SEE ALL OF THESE BLOOMS AND IT IS GORGEOUS.

DENNIS: HELLO, AND WELCOME TO GREAT GARDENING.

I'M DENNIS LAMKIN, THE NEW HOST FOR OUR 2022 GARDENING SEASON.

WE HAVE OUR GARDEN EXPERTS WITH US TONIGHT.

THEY ARE HORTICULTURIST AND EDUCATOR BOB OLEN AND GARDEN PROFESSIONAL DEB BYRNS ERICKSON.

AS ALWAYS WE WANT TO HEAR FROM GARDENERS ACROSS THE REGION WHO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR OUR EXPERTS.

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PROGRAM ARE HERE TO ANSWER THE PHONES.

CALL LOCALLY OR TOLL FREE 218-788-2844 OR 877-307-8762 OR E-MAIL US AT ASK@WDSE.ORG.

I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE MYSELF.

I AM MORE OF A LANDSCAPER THAN A GARDENER.

I LIVE ON THE CORNER OF 20 1ST AVE EAST.

IF YOU DRIVE BY, TAKE A LOOK ON THE UPPER CORNER.

I AM VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE THEMES THAT WE WILL HAVE GOING FORWARD.

YOU ARE A LITTLE AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

QWEST WE VISITED THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DULUTH COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM WHERE THEY SHARE DETAILS ABOUT THEIR VEGETABLE OF THE YEAR.

>> I AM WITH THE DULUTH COMMUNITY -- “MY NAME IS HALEY DIEM, AND I'M THE ONE VEGETABLE, ONE COMMUNITY COORDINATOR WITH THE DULUTH COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM.

THE DULUTH COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM MANAGES 21 GARDENS ACROSS THE DULUTH AREA.

SO THE ONE VEGETABLE, ONE COMMUNITY PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT GETTING EXCITED AND CELEBRATING A VEGETABLE OF THE YEAR.

AND PART OF MY JOB AS THE ONE VEGETABLE AND FOOD COORDINATOR IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE VEGETABLE OF THE YEAR.

THE VEGETABLE OF THE YEAR THIS YEAR IS TOMATOES.

WE HAVE A REALLY SHORT GROWING SEASON HERE IN DULUTH.

TOMATOES WEREN'T REALLY A CLEAR CHOICE FOR DULUTH.

IT'S COLD.

THEY'RE A HEAT LOVING CROP.

SO IT IS A LITTLE BIT OUT OF OUR NORMAL REALM.

THE REASON WHY I LOVE TOMATOES AS THIS YEAR'S SELECTION, IS THAT THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS TO TEACH THE PUBLIC ABOUT TOMATOES.

YOU CAN CAN THEM, YOU CAN DRY THEM.

THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT YOU CAN EAT TOMATOES IN THE WINTER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO HAVE ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE TOMATO IS A VEGETABLE.

THERE WAS A SUPREME COURT CASE IN THE 1800S THAT DEEMED TOMATOES AS A VEGETABLE.

SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO EVADE TAXES.

HE WAS TRYING TO EVADE A VEGETABLE TAX, AND THEY RULED IT A VEGETABLE.

TOMATOES ARE A MEMBER OF THE NIGHTSHADE FAMILY.

THEY ARE TECHNICALLY BOTANICALLY A FRUIT.

THERE'S ALSO SO MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF TOMATOES.

THEY COME IN ALL DIFFERENT COLORS.

ESPECIALLY FOR TEACHING YOUNGER CHILDREN ABOUT THE VARIETY AND DIVERSITY IN VEGETABLES.

THEY'RE A REALLY GREAT CHOICE BECAUSE THEY CAN BE ANY SIZE AND ANY COLOR.

” DENNIS: BOB, YOU WANTED TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT TOMATOES WITH US, RIGHT?

BOB: IT IS THE NUMBER ONE VEGETABLE CROP.

DEB: I THINK IT IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR AND PEOPLE WANT TO TRY IT AND THEY WILL HAVE SUCCESS WITH IT.

THERE IS SO MANY CHOICES WERE VARIETIES AND SIZE AND YOU WILL HAVE SUCCESS WITH IT.

BOB: THERE IS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION.

IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE POISONOUS FOR A LONG TIME.

I OPENED MY CATALOGS AND I COULD FIND 1500 HERE.

WE CAN GET SOME TREMENDOUS PRODUCTION.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE TOMATO IS ACTUALLY A PERENNIAL.

THE FROST FREEZES IT OFF.

THEY ARE A LITTLE HARDER TO MANAGE.

WE ARE PUSHING HARD FOR POLLINATORS, POLLINATOR GARDENS.

THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT TO SO MANY VEGETABLES.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REAL IRONIES.

TOMATOES HAVE A VERY UNIQUE STRUCTURE.

THEY ARE COMPLETE FLOUR.

THEY ARE BUZZ POLLINATED.

SOME INSECTS ARE JUST TRYING TO FAKE THE BLOSSOM.

IF YOU WANT TO ENHANCE POLLINATION, YOU DON'T NEED ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES.

JUST GIVE THAT A LITTLE BIT OF A FLICK.

THAT WILL ACTUALLY HELP WITH THE POLLINATION PROCESS.

WE SET A NEW RECORD IN MINNESOTA.

NOW IT IS BARELY THERE.

I HAD A FRIEND FROM THERE THAT WENT BY FAST.

BUT CHRIS BROWN GREW THIS BEAUTIFUL COMPOUND BEEFSTEAK.

THAT WAS A RECORD SET LAST YEAR.

IS IT A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE?

WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.

IN THE GENERAL VERNACULAR, IT IS A VEGETABLE.

WE DEFINED FRUIT AS THIS WALL.

IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT ONE OF THESE, THIS IS IT.

I WAS WORRIED ABOUT NOT SPILLING JUICE ALL OVER THE TABLE.

YOU CAN SEE NONE A LOT OF JUICE IN SOME OF THESE.

BUT YOU CAN SEE HERE WE HAVE THIS SECOND WALL.

ANYTIME YOU HAVE SEEDS FORMED, THESE WERE FORMED WHEN THE POLLEN WAS TRANSFERRED AND THEN WE FERTILIZE THESE.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE CONSUMING.

THIS IS A FRUIT.

JUST AS IN THE CASE OF THIS.

BOTANICALLY, DEFINITELY A FRUIT.

I WANT TO THANK KATHY.

I WANTED TO ILLUSTRATE THIS ON THE FLOWER BLOSSOM.

WE HAVE THE MALE PORTION JUST AROUND THE -- IT HAS TO GET DOWN INTO THESE.

ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES WE HAVE WITH OUR COOLER CLIMATE IS THAT POLLEN WILL STOP GROWING IF THE NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURES GO BELOW 55°.

THAT IS COMMON IN JUNE.

I DID A LITTLE BURNING IN FLORIDA.

WHAT THEY HAD WAS AGGRESSIVE POLLEN.

WE FOUND A VARIETY CALLED HEAT WAVE THAT WAS GROWN IN FLORIDA.

>> WE ARE GETTING SOME QUESTIONS IN HERE.

THE FROM DULUTH.

WHAT ARE GOOD CHOICES?

>> I DO LIKE TO CHOOSE SOME OF THE ALL-AMERICAN SELECTIONS BECAUSE THEY ARE PROVEN AND TESTED.

IT WILL SET ITS FRUIT.

IT IS NICE AND MEATY.

SO MANY CHERRY TOMATOES.

EVERY SIZE OF FRUIT AVAILABLE.

THAT IS THE FIRST QUESTION I ALWAYS ASK.

DO YOU WANT TO CAN IT?

DO YOU WANT TO DRAW IT?

ARE YOU A TOMATO SANDWICH KIND OF PERSON?

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE BEEF STEAKS.

YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE CHERRIES.

THESE ARE THE TANGERINE CHERRIES.

VERY SWEET.

SOME GOLD AND SOME SUGAR.

IT TENDS TO CRACK ON US.

THEY ARE BOTH AVAILABLE LOCALLY AND HERE.

.

DEB: AT THE DAYS -- DEB: YOU SHOULD LOOK AT THE DAYS.

DENNIS: WHAT DO WE EXPECT OUR GROWING SEASON TO BE?

HOW MANY DAYS?

DEB: IF YOU CAN KEEP IT UNDER SOMEBODY, YOU WILL HAVE A PROLIFIC YEAR.

DENNIS: MIKE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU WOULD EAT THE STEM OF A TOMATO PLANT.

.

>> ONE REASON IT HAS ITS REPUTATION FOR BEING POISONOUS IS THAT ALSO INCLUDES DEADLY NIGHTSHADE.

WE NEVER WANT TO CONSUME ANY PORTION OF THE VEGETATIVE PART.

IT WILL NOT BE REALLY SERIOUS.

THEY DO CONTAIN SOME OF THESE MATERIALS THAT TEND TO BE POISONOUS.

THE SAME THING WITH POTATOES.

NOTHING WRONG WITH A POTATO.

>> YOU CAN TELL WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THAT IF YOU GET A SLIGHT ALLERGIC REACTION, IT CAN ALMOST START TO CLOSE YOUR THROAT AND A BIG TOMATO.

BOB: BUT FOR MOST FRUIT, WE DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT.

>> IS A GOOD IDEAS FOR MOTION TOMATOES?

>> PINE NEEDLES ARE PURE CARBON.

WHERE THAT CAME FROM IS WE TEND TO HAVE ACIDIC SOILS WHERE COUNTRIES ARE GROWING.

THE PINE NEEDLES DID NOT REALLY A CITIZEN -- ACIDIFY THE SOIL.

IF YOU WANT TO ACIDIFY IT, HE WILL LOOK AT SOME SORT OF SILVER.

>> YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT ROUTING TOMATOES FROM CUTTING.

DEB: IF YOU GOT OVERZEALOUS, THEY MIGHT START TO GET A LITTLE TALL.

YOU CAN JUST TAKE THE TOP NOTE OUT AND YOU CAN ROUTE THIS WHEN YOU -- ROOT IT WHEN YOU CUT IT.

YOU CAN ROOT IT INTO THE SOIL.

THAT WILL HELP YOUR TOMATO GET THICKER.

ALL OF THE LEAD NOTES WILL HAVE THE SUCKER.

IF YOU ARE DOING INDETERMINATE TORNADOES, YOU CAN STAGE YOUR TOMATOES TO SET THEM APART.

THEN YOU WILL HAVE ROUTING ON THE SECOND ONE.

-- FRUITING ON THE SECOND ONE.

THEN YOU CAN PLANTED DEEP OR LEAVE THAT TOP TIP OUT.

YOU CAN TAKE OFF THE LATERAL BRANCHES.

WE DON'T ALWAYS DO IT.

BUT YOU CAN.

IF YOU ARE PUTTING IT INTO THIS, THE WATER WILL COME OUT.

OR YOU COULD LAY IT DOWN.

THEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SET UP THAT TOP TIP.

THEN THE GROUND IS WARMER.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GO INTO DEEP WHERE IT IS A LOT COLDER.

>> YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BENEFIT FROM SETTING UP EARLY EVEN IF IT DOES NOT FREEZE.

THE YEAR BEFORE LAST, WE FROZE ON JUNE 11.

EVEN THOUGH THE SEASON IS GETTING A LITTLE LONGER, WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE WILL GET THAT EARLY FREEZE.

WE REALLY HAVE TO WATCH THE FORECAST AND AIR ON THE SIDE OF SAFETY WITH THIS CROP.

I LIKE YOUR DISCUSSION OF BEARING THEM D. WE HAVE FOUND CONSISTENT MOISTURE.

THIS IS A CALCIUM TRANSFER PROBLEM WHERE WE CAN HAVE CALCIUM IN THE SOIL.

>> TOM ASKS WHAT ABOUT GRAFTING TOMATOES?

BOB: I WONDER IF TOM IS GIVING THAT ONE A TRY.

IF YOU THINK GRAFTING APPLES IS DIFFICULT.

GRAFTING HAS BECOME COMMONPLACE IN THE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY.

IT IS PRETTY DELICATE.

I HAVE TRIED IT ONCE.

I KNOW OF COMMERCIAL PEOPLE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA ARE BELIEVERS IN IT.

THEY ACTUALLY BUY GRAFTED PLANTS.

IT IS KIND OF FUSSY.

YOU HAVE TO LINE UP THAT THIN LAYER.

IT TAKES QUITE A BIT OF EXPERTISE.

IT HAS GAINED WIDESPREAD USE.

>> HE WANTS TO MOVE THEM OUTSIDE TO HIS GREENHOUSE TONIGHT.

IS THIS A GOOD IDEA?

>> WHERE IS THE GREENHOUSE?

DOES IT HAVE HEAT?

DOES IT HAVE POWER?

YOU WILL HAVE TO HAVE A HEAT SOURCE NO MATTER WHAT.

WE ARE GOING TO GET FROST.

WHEN YOU ADD THAT LAYER OF POLY, YOU ARE ADDING A ZONE.

ONE ZONE FARTHER SOUTH IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE OUT THERE ON ITS OWN.

>> IF YOU THINK YOU'RE GETTING A LOT OF PROTECTION, YOU ARE REALLY NOT.

I WOULD SAY ACCLAMATION IS A BIG THING AS WELL.

I WOULD GIVE YOURSELF A COUPLE MORE DAYS.

WE ARE A COUPLE AWAY FROM THESE TEMPERATURES REALLY MODERATING.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT IS ABOUT TO FROST.

I AM GOING TO COVER.

I NEED TO HOLD THE HEAT WITH THAT BLANKET.

>> FROM J.D., WILL CITY WATER AFFECT PLANTS?

IS PLANTS SEEM TO BE DYING.

BOB: THAT PROBABLY WON'T OCCUR.

DEB: I WAS TALKING ABOUT SEEDLINGS IN A MIX THAT HAS FERTILIZER AND IT?

THEN IT COULD BE THE FERTILIZER IN THE MIX AND NOT THE SEED BECAUSE YOU WILL GET SOME BURN.

DEPENDING ON WHAT PLANTS.

>> ALL OF THEM HAVE FLUORIDE IN THEM AND CHLORINE.

YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT.

SOMETIMES HOUSEPLANTS ARE ABOUT THIS.

>> THEY ONLY PRODUCE EVERY OTHER YEAR.

HOW CAN YOU GET THEM TO PRODUCE EVERY YEAR?

>> THEY ARE OLD TREES.

BOB: FIRST HE HAS TWO OF THESE PRETTY GOOD VARIETIES.

A GREAT APPLE.

IT IS THIS BEARING HABIT WHERE YOU WILL HAVE LOTS OF HEAVY FOOD PRODUCTION ONE YEAR AND THEN BECAUSE THE FLOWER BUT IS SENT IN THE FALL.

THE WAY HE ELIMINATES IT, PULL SOME OF THE FRUIT OFF.

YOU WANT TO COUNT OUT 20 LEAVES AND YOU ONLY WANT ONE FRUIT FOR 20 LEAVES.

>> PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

>> IF YOU COUNT 20 LEAVES WHICH YOU WILL FIND IS APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY FRUIT THAT TREE CAN SUPPORT.

THEN THERE IS ONE FRUIT THAT DEVELOPS AND YOU HAVE JUST ENOUGH ENERGY LEFT OVER SO THEY CONSENT FLOWER BUDS IN THE FALL.

COMMERCIALLY, IN THE HEAVY YEARS, THEY USE CHEMICALS TO DROP THAT FRUIT JUST TO MODERATE IT.

COUNT ON THAT ONCE AND YOU WILL HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH FRUIT THERE IS TO DROP.

>> FROM ONLINE, YOUR ASKS IF THEY CAN USE DILL SEED FROM THE SPICE RACK TO PROPAGATE DEAL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU CAN.

IF YOU BUY CORIANDER OR DILL, WE HAVE DONE ALL OF THESE.

THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I JUST NEEDED OF YOU AND YOU CAN TAKE THEM OUT AND IF YOU LOOK AT A SEED PACKET, IT DEPENDS ON HOW OLD THAT SPICE IS.

IF YOU'RE GETTING FRESH SPICE, YOU PROBABLY HAVE BETTER LIABILITY.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT 25 TO 30%.

IT WILL GERMINATE.

>> IT WILL.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO GROW DILL BECAUSE YOU WANT DILL HEADS FOR YOUR DILL PICKLES BUT DON'T SEE IT IS NOT VERY EXPENSIVE.

SO MANY OF OUR GOOD VARIETIES BOUQUET FOR THAT NICE HAD.

I THINK YOU ARE BETTER OFF BUYING THE ACTUAL SEED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

DENNIS: THIS IS A RINGER QUESTION.

FIONA WANTS TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF TOMATO YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU.

DEB: THIS IS GREAT.

I WANT TO DISCUSS THIS.

DEB: THIS SAYS BEEFSTEAK TOMATOES.

THIS SIZE TOMATO IS NOT A BEEFSTEAK TOMATO.

THIS SHOULD BE A POUND.

THESE ARE SMALLER, MEDIUM FRUIT TOMATOES.

BOB: I HAPPEN ANOTHER GROWER AND HE IS NOT TELLING ME WHAT KIND OF VARIETY.

I CAN GUESS.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM COMING UP IN MOUNT IRON FROM THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN VIRGINIA IF YOU WANT TO CALL THIS PHONE NUMBER.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT GROWING GREEN IN A CHANGING CLIMATE.

THIS IS THE WOMAN CLIMATE THAT WE REALLY HAVE.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED.

WE ARE COMING TOGETHER.

THESE THINGS ARE NOT THE SAME.

THAT WILL BE DONE AT THE DEPOT, A FULL DAY.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT SUNFLOWERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE COMMENT , IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE GROWING SUNFLOWERS, LOOK FOR THOSE VARIETIES THAT PRODUCE POLLEN.

THE NEWER HYBRIDS DON'T HAVE ANY POLLEN.

YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR THE ORDER VARIETIES, SOME OF THE GIANT MAMMOTHS.

>> THAT SHE PROCEEDS.

>> THESE FRENCH VARIETIES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND POLLEN FREE.

YOU WANT POLLEN FOR YOUR POLLINATORS.

>> THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO GREAT GARDEN.

IF YOU MISSED ANYTHING, YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AT GREAT GARDEN, SUBSCRIBE TO US ON YOUTUBE.COM/GREAT GARDEN AND LIKE US ON W DSE.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THE SHOW, IT WILL BE POSTED TOMORROW ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND OUR PBS APP.

THANK YOU TO BOB AND DEB, THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING ME.

WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS LEFT OVER.

WE WILL CARRY THEM TO NEXT WEEK.

DENNIS: WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEKEND AND FROM ALL OF US OVER HERE, THANK YOU, AND ENJOY THE GARDEN.