Tomatomania 2019 Returns to Descanso Gardens March 29-31

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Did last summer’s searing heat destroy your crop? Has all the rain dampened your spirit? Did all your tomatoes ripen at the same time? Did bugs or fungus invade your garden? Did you select the wrong plants for your climate zone?

The experts at Tomatomania – the one stop gardening education and plant sale – return to Descanso Gardens this March 29–31, 2019 with the solutions to all your vegetable gardening issues and questions. This year, Tomatomania has more classes, more demonstrations, more on-site gardening pros, the biggest selection of classic and unusual tomato and pepper plants and a dynamic new app providing access to their expertise 24/7.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro; have two pots on your terrace or a manicured acre, Tomatomania is a must visit with so much to see, learn, and discover:

• Learn from gardening experts who help visitors select the right plants for their garden and climate type from up to 250 varieties of tomato and pepper seedlings
• Learn the professionals’ secrets to harvesting bigger and better crops
• Attend informational classes and hands-on demonstrations
• Purchase all the gardening accessories needed to ensure a successful season
• Swap ideas and stories with fellow gardeners

Classes at Tomatomania will include:

March 29

• 11:00 a.m.: Tomatomania’s All-Stars For 2019.
• 1:00 p.m.: Ensuring the Best Start: What to do at tomato planting time.
• 2:00 p.m.: Permaculture and Crop Rotation: The advantages of planting your tomato patch with flowers to ensure a healthy season.

March 30

• 11:00 a.m.: Operation Change: Successful tips for growing tomatoes in our changing climate.
• 12:00 p.m.: Cooking with Tomatoes: Demonstration with Patina chefs.
• 1:00 p.m.: Organic Tomato Gardening: Building soil and the right methods for a successful season.
• 2:00 p.m.: Grow Anywhere: Tomato growing in small spaces.

March 31

• 11:00 a.m.: Tomatomania Jr. Camp: Connecting kids with where our food comes from.
• 12:00 p.m.: Cooking with Tomatoes: Demonstration with Patina chefs.
• 1:00 p.m.: Project Defense: Protecting your tomato plants from pests and disease.
• 2:00 p.m.: Transplanting for Success: Starting your tomato & veggies out right!

Visitors looking at tomato plants Credit: Martha Benedict

Admission to events, classes, demos are free with admission. For the full schedule, please visit www.tomatomania.com.

Tomatomania is a huge community of enthusiastic fellow tomato lovers as well as the world’s largest tomato seedling sale. Leading the team is Scott Daigre, owner and head Tomatomaniac. He is author of the best-selling book “Tomatomania: A Fresh Approach to Celebrating Tomatoes in the Garden.” His company, Powerplant Garden Design based in Ojai, focuses on installation of home and professional gardens with a concentration on food-based gardens.

Joining Scott is Mark Donofrio, Director of Operations. Donofrio was co-owner of the popular Larchmont Grill and grew produce for the restaurant at many of LA’s community gardens. Today, he operates a farm in Santa Ynez that specializes in cut flowers and serves as a Tomatomania test garden. Mark blogs about gardening at www.thestarterfarm.com.

About Descanso Gardens

Founded as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Descanso Gardens is open daily (closed Christmas) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults; $6 for seniors and students with a school I.D.; $4 for children 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and younger. Descanso Gardens is a member-supported garden accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Join Descanso Gardens and enjoy free admission and early entry year-round. For more information, contact (818) 949-4200 or visit descansogardens.org.