Tomatomania is coming!

With the economy in tatters and summer 2008 headlines proclaiming "Tomatoes Tainted!" and "Tomato Scare Spreads Nationwide," it's no surprise that Americans are going back to the basics where their food is concerned. So basic, in fact, they're turning literally to their own backyards.
Seed sales are up, nurseries are seeing increased traffic and this season more home gardeners than ever will produce a tabletop bounty just outside the kitchen door.

"Welcome to the wonderful world of gardening, and in particular, to the hard-to-resist world of heirloom tomatoes," says garden designer Scott Daigre of Los Angeles, who has built a loyal following of tomatomaniacs for his annual, coast-to-coast TOMATOMANIA! family events.

Americans have rediscovered the vegetable garden and from California to Connecticut, they'll again be flocking to TOMATOMANIA! to stock up for their summer plots.

Born in southern California in the early 90s, this perennial rite-of-spring showcases a huge selection of popular and hard-to-find varieties (ever hear of Zapotec, Nyagous, or Trucker's Favorite?), and everything else you'll need to have a successful tomato season. More than 140 varieties are also available online at www.tomatomania.com for shipping anywhere in the U.S. just in time for your region's growing season.

At all events energetic and knowledgeable "tomatomanics" guide tomato enthusiasts on the finer points of growing the perfect tomato and wax poetic about their successes, (ok, and let's be truthful, some disasters) with their favorites and the new exotic varieties to be found at each TOMATOMANIA! event.

TOMATOMANIA! is held at sites from San Diego to Sonoma. The largest of these events, held in Encino, CA is scheduled from 9am - 5pm March 27-29 at Tapia Brothers Farm Stand. Details about this particular event and all the 2009 dates can be found on the website.

TOMATOMANIA! is the world's largest seedling sale. Scott Daigre, owner and producer of these events, is also the author of a handbook called TOMATOMANIA, Your Guide to Perfect Home Grown Tomato.