The tomato babies are well on their way into the garden. In fact, three of my strongest starts are already there! Here are the heirloom seedlings "out for recess" in the sunshine, in the process of hardening off before being set in the ground.
I know that most North Texas gardeners would think I'm insane for planting tomatoes in February, but my experience last summer convinced me that I need to get plants started as soon as possible before the heatwaves begin.
Winter is just killing me. I'm dying to get some more plants in the ground. To assuage my gardening addiction, I started my heirloom tomato seeds today. I'm experimenting with several interesting varieties this year including Ping Pong Yellow, Purple Calabash, Peacevine Cherry, Success, Big Beef, Green Zebra, Cherokee Purple, Super Snow White, Florida Pink, Black Zebra, Aunt Ruby's German Green, and Texas Star.
I tried a new source for seeds this year thanks to a birthday gift from my godparents. Tomatofest is California-based company that specializes in traditional, hard-to-find, heirloom and open-pollinated tomato varieties.
All all goes well with propagation, several of these varieties will be planted around a Japanese Tomato Ring. Click here to learn more about this fascinating method for growing tomatoes.
A celebration of life in the garden, Xylem & Phloem chronicles the horticulture adventures of Dallas gardener Callie Works-Leary. 
