In Praise of Tomatoes: A Year in the Life of a Home Tomato Grower

This engaging account will strike a responsive chord in gardeners. Shepherd, a freelance writer, grows his tomatoes in a raised bed in the front yard of his San Diego home. His year begins with the arrival of seed catalogues in December; he plants the seeds in March, nurtures the seedlings until planting-out time in April. Shepherd then waits expectantly for the harvest, battling caterpillars and blossom-end rot. He compares his plants with those of his neighbors and relatives (some friendly competition here) with whom he exchanges advice on tomato culture. But Shepherd goes beyond just growing tomatoes--he warmly embraces family, friends and neighborhood for a thoroughly satisfying story. (July)