Tags: 2016, Laura Taylor, Meeting, Season 2015-2016, tomato, tomatoes

For our March event, Laura Taylor presented “Tomato Essentials”, her steps and secrets for tomato success.

In the 20 years that Laura has been growing tomatoes she has developed a system that consistently provides impressive results. Laura does tomato talks for local nurseries, cooking schools and garden clubs, both off-site and in her own garden. In Spring, the focus is on the growing process and provides the road map for tomato growing success. Summer talks are all about using and preserving your summer bounty. These always include recipes and a delicious element.

Laura Taylor is a Needlepoint Stitch Artist and National Needlepoint Instructor who happens to love growing tomatoes. Lots of them. “Tomatoes have their own special magic with their rainbow of colors and depth and diversity of flavors.” She believes that growing something and turning it into a delicious meal for people you love is another way to show how much you care.

Not being a sports enthusiast, Laura began growing vegetables as a way to enjoy being outdoors with her young sons. As her sons grew, so did her love for the garden. Living in the San Fernando Valley Laura learned that the climate was ideal for tomato production. With each growing season, her passion for the process and summer harvest have grown into a backyard farm environment featuring 150 tomato plants.

Laura has had the pleasure of being a guest judge in the tomato growing contest at the annual Kendall-Jackson Tomato Festival and has been featured in local newspapers and media. She is the author of the Month by Month Growing Guide and Calendar which offers helpful hints and steps to take each month in your tomato garden, no matter where your garden is across the country.