The guy who invented tomatoes

Remember this guy, Gary Ibsen, the man who practically invented tomatoes? Well, maybe not the actual tomato, but certainly the frenzy that began way back in the early 90s. We didn’t know what a delicious homegrown was until he came along.

Ibsen is the founder of the famous Carmel TomatoFest (the event now retired), a magazine publisher, book author, seed saver, sustainable advocate, organic guy with a thing for heirlooms, and probably with a rich bisque instead of blood running through his veins.

Ibsen and partner Dagma Lacey grow over 600 varieties of tomatoes, many sourced from family farms around the world. They save their seed and sell it on their web site TomatoFest.com.

You’ll find a seed store, great growing tips, tomato growing supplies, and Ibsen’s book, The Great Tomato Book.

I discovered seeds of “Clint Eastwood’s Rowdy Red” which I’m ordering…because, you know…spaghetti western… Clint in that poncho…it’s open pollinated. That’s all I’m saying.