Tomatoes/Peppers

New Jersey Rediscovering Flavorful Tomatoes

For 40 years now, people have been grumbling about tomato flavor – the lack of it. Whatever happened to those old-fashioned tomatoes that were tangy, juicy and delicious? Conspiracy theories abound. It's growers – they... more »

New Fumigant Rules Could Put Some Growers out of Business

EPA released its newest rules for applying soil fumigant pesticides a couple of months ago, and growers are still trying to figure out what the rules mean for them. Some things are certain: The new... more »

Soil Fumigants Under Fire

On the front page of this issue, you'll see a story I wrote about EPA's impending soil fumigant pesticide rules. The story delves into some of the obstacles fumigant-using growers will be facing soon, such... more »

Farmer Experiments with Latest Greenhouse Technologies

Joe Geremia dreams of the day when hothouse tomatoes in winter are as fresh and juicy as the ones grown in the dog days of summer and cost only a little more. Hartford Courant Click... more »

Farmer Makes Money by Extending Growing Season

On the Hoover farm in Milo, N.Y., tomato plants growing in the ground are covered with full-size green fruits, expected to start ripening next week. And yes, this is June, not August. Democrat and Chronicle... more »

Two Florida Farms Agree to Pay Tomato Pickers More

Two Florida farms have decided to participate in a deal to increase the wages of the state's tomato pickers in an agreement with a farmworker advocacy group and upscale Whole Foods Market, the grocery chain... more »

Tomato Plant Might Naturally Repel Insects With Leaf Scents

When MSU biochemistry and molecular biology professor Robert Last identified two new genes and enzymes in the tomato plant, his view of the vegetable was forever changed. The State News Click here to read the... more »

California Will Grow More Tomatoes for Processing

Despite water shortages in key parts of the San Joaquin Valley, the state's processing tomato plantings this year will increase by 11 percent, to 308,000 acres. The Sacramento Bee Click here to read the rest... more »