Michael Pollan In My Backyard
Yes, Michael Pollan made a splashy appearance in my backyard recently.
Um, that would be my tomato plant named for the respected food activist, author and journalist, not Mr. Pollan in the flesh, himself.
Of my four tomato seedlings planted this year, it was this one that grew most vigorously and produced not only the first tomatoes of the season, but the most fruit so far, too.
Guess it pays to be named after a man who takes food seriously.
The green-yellow tomato is quite distinctive looking as it’s almost heart-shaped. The small plum tomatoes grow in tight clusters, too. And they’re fairly easy to grow, too. Believe me, if someone as gardening-challenged as I can make them flourish, so can you.
As for the taste? The “Michael Pollan” looks like a Green Zebra gone mad. But it’s less tart and more subtle than the latter variety.
I picked up my famous-named seedling earlier this spring at the annual Love Apple Farms tomato plant sale.
Make a note to do the same next year, too. Then, this time summer, you can harvest a bunch and brag that “Michael Pollan” was the star at your weekend lunch.
That is one beautiful tomato!
Cheers,
Rosa
Hooray! You did it! I still don’t think I can do it though. Not enough afternoon sun. 🙁
I never heard from this kindof tomato before but they sure look good & tasty to me!
What do they taste like?
I have 2 red cherry tomato plants & my harvest today was 45 of them! Delicious! Home grown is so good!
“less tart and more subtle than the latter variety” –> I like the sound of that 😀 And from your picture, it looks like it doesn’t have any seeds?
What gorgeous tomatoes! Love the sound of them.
This is a beautiful tomato and how funny and cute you name the tomatoes after him! :D. If we don’t have deer or any wild animals coming into our yard I’d plant all kinds of veggies and fruits. Must be delicious and nice to eat your own veggies!
They look great! Some folks seem to have trouble growing tomatoes, but you must have a green thumb.
I wish I had some Michael Pollans growing in my backyard! I’m extremely garden challenged, but I keep trying. I’ll be looking for these plants.
Ha! Green zebra gone mad! I picked up three tomato plants at the LAF tomato sale, they are all thriving! Didn’t see Michael Pollan plant… it’s lovely
That’s funny! And wow gorgeous tomatoes! I have never seen anything quite like it. Very photogenic and I can only imagine it tasted as good as it looks.
I had never heard of the Michael Pollan tomato! I love the looks of it. Next year I’m going to have to see if I can find one – so cool!
That is one cool-looking tomato! 🙂
There is no reason not to have a garden. We have very sandy soil in Florida so I buy raised gardens and large pots for plants. We have had a very successful garden this season, which includes collard greens, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, garlic, green onions, herbs, and several varieties of tomatoes to include the Michael Pollan tomato. The MP tomatoes are at the stage to start producing, a lot! I prematurely picked about ten, being my first time growing them and not realising they were not ripe yet. I’m curious if they will ripen, like some tomatoes do, after they are picked.
Hi Florida Gardner: Wow, I am envious of your backyard bounty! I would say that you should try to pick the Michael Pollan tomatoes when they are ripe. Some folks say an orange-tinge is a good indication of ripeness. But I don’t know if the orange happens universally with all of them on the vine or just ones that get the most sun. In any event, I hope you enjoy your harvest to the max. 😉