Cornerstone was hit with Tomatomania this weekend, as tomato lovers came out to learn more about the juicy summertime favorite as well as purchase heirloom and hybrid seedlings. The event is in its third season at Cornerstone and is more popular than ever. Beginning in March and continuing through May, the traveling tomato road show that is known as Tomatomania journeys to eight locations: six in California, one in Litchfield, Conn. and one in Lothian, Maryland.
“Our goal is to excite people about new and exceptional varieties of tomatoes,” said Scott Daigre, tomato producer and owner of Tomatomania. “Judging by the response, we’re doing our job.”
The Tomatomania crew pulled into Cornerstone bearing 175 varieties of tomatoes and did a brisk business on both Saturday and Sunday. And while they have 300-plus varieties to pull from for the road show, Daigre stresses a quality-over-quantity philosophy.
“This is a showcase for classic and rare heirloom tomatoes as well as the newest hybrids,” said Daigre. “We strive to find tomatoes that no commercial growers are cultivating and bring them to the public. “
Daigre and his crew get to know almost all the customers, helping them determine the best tomato given climate, yard location, personal choice and more. Once a match has been made, Daigre hopes the customer is an heirloom or hybrid convert.
“At Tomatomania, we’re all tomato people,” said Daigre. “We love to educate fellow tomato lovers as well as the less initiated, to show them the best tomato to grow as well as the ideal tomato to eat or use in cooking. It’s that simple.”
