Get excited about heirloom tomatoes

summer approaching, we enthusiastically wait for the rst fruits of the vine.

Guest Column

Josie Hart

The essence of summer for me is a freshly picked tomato, and if you are a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) member or visit farmer’s markets, I am sure you love the rainbow of colors that come from heirloom tomatoes. At the Denver Botanic Gardens Chat eld Farms’ CSA, we get super excited about new nds, old classics and interesting adapted heirlooms that we can add to our o erings. Of course, tomato season starts well before the summer — deep in the winter, when the snow is falling, tomato growers pursue seed catalogues with all sorts of tomato varieties. Now, with mid-

I would like to share three varieties we are most excited about for this season. ese varieties are heirloom or more accurately, ‘open pollinated’ tomatoes, which means a saved seed from the fruit will have very similar characteristics as the original plant.

Carbon ese black heirloom tomatoes are heavy feeders and have a high tolerance for drought and hot growing conditions. Carbon tomatoes are open pollinated, which means they use natural pollinators cotton clothing, including long sleeves and a breathable hat.

• Take frequent rest periods.

• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.

• Drink plenty of liquids. Try a measured water bottle to track your progress — some water bottles are connected to an app on your smart phone to remind you to drink. Water, fruit or vegetable juices, or drinks that include electrolytes are best. Avoid alcohol and ca einated drinks.

• Get outside earlier in the day and try to avoid outdoor activities during the heat of the day, which is typically mid to late afternoon.