Summer is the season of tomatoes! If you like cherry varieties, ‘Cherry Falls’ is the type for you. It’s quick-growing and fast to fruit, sprouting delicious, bite-sized fruit two months after planting. Give it the care it needs, and it’ll reward you with baskets full of cherry tomatoes. I used to think determinate tomato varieties were less ideal than indeterminate ones. Boy, was I wrong! Determinate tomatoes, though they develop all at once, are great for gardeners with short growing seasons. They also work well for home cooks who like to can or preserve their tomatoes. Unlike indeterminate pole tomatoes, bushy determinate ones flower and fruit all at once instead of throughout the growing season. There are hybrid varieties that produce fruit earlier than most other types. ‘Cherry Falls’ is one such variety. It grows a wealth of cherry-sized tomatoes before pole types sprout flowers! Whether you’re growing this kind for the first time or brushing up on how to care for it best, this guide has all the information you need to keep your crop happy, healthy, and productive. What Is It? ‘Cherry Falls’ is a hybrid tomato variety that grows clusters of grape-sized fruit. Though it’s determinate, you can prolong its growing season by harvesting consistently. Routine picking can encourage new growth that sprouts fruit after the first harvest. Native Area All of our current tomatoes originated from wild ancestors in South America. The ancient Inca Empire had farmers, gardeners, and growers who cultivated new varieties from wild specimens near Peru. These new types spread throughout the world through trade, after which breeders in other countries bred new tomato types. This is why, nowadays, different countries have their favorite tomatoes. Quick-growing, determinate varieties are popular in cold areas like Canada and Russia, while indeterminate types are widespread in gardens with warm, frost-free climates. Characteristics ‘Cherry Falls’ grows short vines that max out around 18 inches long. Off the vines sprout multiple new shoots with flower clusters and, eventually, fruit! The short vines may grow longer than 18 inches if they hang down from raised beds, planters, or hanging baskets. The tomatoes themselves have a sweet, semi-tart flavor that sweetens the longer they sit on the vine. They’ll give when you squeeze them, indicating they’re ripe and ready to eat. The small, round fruits are perfect for fresh eating, salads, and sauces. The foliage isn’t as dense and bushy as other types. It’s incredibly ornamental! You’ll appreciate the spear-shaped leaves and compact stems. This variety’s size is perfect for container growing. Planting Whether you purchase seedlings at the store or grow them from seeds, they’re easy to care for and transplant into the garden. They appreciate warm temperatures, consistent moisture, and bright light. How to Grow ‘Cherry Falls’ thrives in a wide range of gardens. Give it the care it needs, and it’ll provide you with bushels of fruit throughout the summer. Plant many in a large pot, or give each one its own home and space. No matter how big or small your yard is, this tomato will easily tuck into every empty nook and cranny. Maintenance Tomatoes are high-maintenance because they typically need caging, fertilizing, and plenty of water. ‘Cherry Falls’ is significantly easier to care for than most other types. You may give it support if you’d like it to grow upright, or let it drape over the edges of containers and baskets.

‘San Marzano’ tomatoes jump from garden to kitchen as flavorful plum tomatoes tailor-made for sauces and pastes (and fresh eating). Enjoy these Italian heirloom specialties and explore their carefree growing with garden expert Katherine Rowe. ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes are a culinary delight. Considered to be a top – even the best – paste tomato, this tomato carries a robust, complex flavor in a plum tomato form. Originally from southern Italy and prized for use in sauces, This variety brings heirloom characteristics of vigorous growth and exceptional flavor to the garden. Even if we don’t live in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, with fertile soils and boundless sunshine, we can imbue a little of the Italian countryside in our own gardens and kitchens by growing ‘San Marzano’ heirloom tomatoes. What are ‘San Marzano’ Tomatoes? These Italian heirlooms are famous for their exceptional flavor in pastes and sauces. These plum, or paste, tomatoes feature a complex, rich flavor perfect for preserving, canning, and fresh eating. True ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes originate in the Campania region of southern Italy, in the volcanically rich soils of Mount Vesuvius. Italian-grown ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes are said to be sweeter and less acidic than those grown in other regions. These superior paste tomatoes are a prized export protected under an official governmental convention, the Denominazione d’Origine Protetta, or Protected Designation of Origin. This designation protects significant foods and foodways of Italian origin. The designation means certifying jarred and canned tomatoes with an official seal. The tomatoes must be strains of the original heirlooms, grown outdoors, harvested by hand in the summer, and jarred halved or whole (you won’t find true San Marzanos as fresh produce, chopped, or diced in cans). The cans are recognizable in grocery stores and markets and are pricy because of their specialty. Tomatoes grown outside the region are sometimes called “San Marzano-style” tomatoes. For our own taste of the Italian countryside, we can grow this specialty heirloom in our gardens. Characteristics This variety yields loads of long, narrow, pointed plum tomatoes, growing in clusters of six to eight tomatoes each. Fruits mature 70-90 days after transplanting. These are large for paste tomatoes, with each oblong fruit weighing about five to six ounces and growing three to four inches long. ‘San Marzanos’ are sweet in flavor and have low acidity. The bright red tomatoes have less water and seed content than other plums, making them meaty and thick – ideal for pasting. In addition to their delicious flavor, these plants are vigorous indeterminate growers with good disease resistance. Plants resist fusarium and verticillium wilts, which are common (and often fatal) fungal issues for tomatoes. ‘San Marzano’ is an indeterminate tomato with long vines that reach six feet or longer. Plants grow all season and produce fruit from late summer through frost. As productive fruiters, they need a large tomato cage or staking/trellising for best growth and support. Native Area ‘San Marzano’ is named for its town of cultivation, San Marzano sul Sarno, in the Salerno province of Campania south of Naples. This region of southern Italy features abundant sunshine, mild temperatures, and fertile soils. Its ancestors are small tomatoes originating in coastal South America, with a narrow growing range bordered by the Andes Mountains from Ecuador to Chile. Humans cultivated this small-fruited plant, spreading its range throughout Central and South America. The fruits that became the modern tomato began in cultivation some 7,000 years ago. Explorers and colonists from Spain brought domesticated tomatoes to Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. They rose in popularity in cuisine in the 17th and 18th centuries. Planting Tomatoes require warm air and soil temperatures for best growth. These heirlooms are open-pollinated and grow easily from seed. Start seeds indoors four to six weeks before your final frost date for best results. Transplant seedlings outdoors one to two weeks after the last frost or as nighttime temperatures exceed 55°F (13°C). When choosing a garden location for tomatoes, pick a spot where you haven’t grown other nightshades in the past year. Tomatoes benefit from an annual crop rotation. As a nightshade, they’re susceptible to diseases from other nightshades like eggplants, peppers, potatoes, and tomatillos. Rotating crops helps avoid lingering soil-borne diseases. In the ground, space plants two- to three feet apart to allow for long vines and good air circulation. For row plantings, space rows three to four feet apart. Plant tomato seedlings deeply to promote a robust root system, with two-thirds of the stem in the ground and one-third exposed. The stem has a special plant adaptation – its hairs and nodes set roots for more vigorous plants and higher water and nutrient absorption. The sprawling vines need sturdy support to keep fruits and stems upright. A five-foot-tall by two-and-a-half-feet-wide tomato cage put in place at planting suffices. Or, opt for trellising or staking to support the fruiting vines. To grow in containers, opt for a 10-gallon or larger pot with good drainage. Install the vine support structure at the time of planting. How to Grow ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes are prolific growers and easy-care tomato plants. Give them plenty of sunlight, consistent water, and good air circulation for the best health and vigor. Maintenance Pruning isn’t necessary with caged tomatoes, but pinching off low offshoots helps direct nutrients to the upper parts of the plant, especially with staked or trellised plants. Pinch off suckers as they appear to inhibit detracting growth and increase airflow around the base of the plant. Mulch after the sun has had time to warm plant roots for growth. Mulching too early and at planting can inhibit the sun’s warmth from reaching the surrounding soil. When stems reach 18-24 inches tall, layer two to three inches of weed-free straw around plants to help with moisture retention, weed suppression, and soil temperature regulation.

Conventional petunia by day, glowing blooms by night. Engineered with bioluminescence from mushrooms, Firefly petunias set the garden aglow. Explore this pioneering petunia with gardening expert Katherine Rowe. While ‘Firefly’ petunias are always glowing, we don’t experience their hidden power until the sun goes down. The magical, mysterious, glow-in-the-dark creation stems from years of research surrounding bioluminescence. Genetically modified for a modern twist on an old garden favorite, ‘Firefly’ petunias bring new light to summer evenings spent outdoors. Sure to spark interest in budding scientists and young gardeners, this very different petunia masquerades as common by day and otherworldly by twilight. Explore the how’s and why’s behind this petunia’s glow-up as we marvel at the notion. What are ‘Firefly’ Petunias? Genetically engineered to produce light through bioluminesence, ‘Firefly’ petunias emanate a soft, moonlit glow when the sun goes down or in a dark room. Its bright white blooms and buds produce the most light with a continual reaction harnessed by the sun’s energy. The glowing qualities are a result of mushroom DNA. The annuals have four genes from a bioluminescent mushroom (Neonothopanus nambi) and a fifth from another fungi. The different genes play roles in a chemical reaction that produces organic light in leaves and flowers. ‘Firefly’ was ten years in the making with a team of scientists in coordination with the company Light Bio of Ketchum, Idaho. The USDA-approved specimen went on the market in late winter of 2024. It’s currently available only in the U.S. ‘Firefly’ plants grow like other petunias and don’t require special treatment or care. They’ll grow in beds, hanging baskets, and containers. Petunias bloom all summer until fall’s cool temperatures for an extended “glowing” season. Characteristics Identical to conventional petunias, except with bioluminescence, these have the same appearance as the favorite garden performer. Crisp white blooms top leafy stems that mound and reach eight to ten inches tall and wide. Best viewed at twilight, the petals illuminate a greenish-white moonlight glow. New leafy growth, buds, and blooms are the brightest. The creator likens it to fireflies alighting on the plants. Eminence fades as the flowers age. Maintaining healthy growth through proper cultural requirements yields the most vigor and the best illumination. While horticulturists hybridize selections every day to improve plant characteristics and landscape performance (including many petunias), this one differs in its cross-species DNA modification. More research is necessary to determine how the natural environment, particularly insects, wildlife, and surrounding plants, responds to the light. Reportedly, creators chose the petunia because of its ornamental value, popularity, and diminished likelihood of genes spreading to other plants or the natural environment, as garden petunias aren’t invasive like other species may be. The intention is to market these unique ornamentals for the home garden or as houseplants rather than having widespread agricultural applications. The pioneering petunia opens the potential for future bioluminescent discovery for soothing, non-artificial light sources. What becomes of this is up to the consumer; for now, we have a glowing bloomer to consider. Native Area Petunias originate in South America. What we commonly grow are from a large family of hybrids. Of garden origin, the annuals begin growing in cool springs and flourish in warm conditions of a mild summer. While tolerant of heat, they thrive in more moderate conditions. Planting Plant ‘Firefly’ where you’ll enjoy its illumination up close, in seating areas, at entrances, or as viewpoints. Petunias perform beautifully in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets for added color and texture. Provide ample air circulation between plants to prevent fungal issues. Allow spacing of about one foot.