[SupportWoundedWarriors]

Hello! Where can I find organic fresh garden-grown "real" tomatoes in the area, even outside the bubble?

[ResQme]

Originally Posted by SupportWoundedWarriors

Hello! Where can I find organic fresh garden-grown "real" tomatoes in the area, even outside the bubble?

Not sure about organic, but you might try calling Lanier's Produce to see if they have them.

[vintageogauge]

I don't trust anything that says organic as many of the chemicals used in farms years ago still show up after decades of not using them. Why not plant your own, it's so easy down here, just plant one or two on the sunny side of your house at the end of March and by Memorial Day you will be picking your own tomatoes until the first frost.

[collie1228]

Drive to New Jersey. There are NO tomatoes grown in Florida that taste like you believe a tomato should taste like. My preference is tomatoes from a Central NY muck farm, but NJ does pretty well.

[LuvtheVillages]

Originally Posted by SupportWoundedWarriors

Hello! Where can I find organic fresh garden-grown "real" tomatoes in the area, even outside the bubble?

The Villages Grown has a store at the market at Sawgrass Grove. They grow their produce in controlled greenhouses, near where the new Walmart is being built. They also sell produce from nearby farms.

There is a farmers' market in Brownwood on Saturday mornings. I suspect many of the vendors get their produce from the same wholesalers the grocery stores use.

You will find that tomatoes do not grow well in Florida. We tried. Neither do cucumbers or peppers. If you get a few to grow on your plants, they do not taste like anything.

And the seasons are different here. If you try to grow, plant very early spring. Harvest by end of May. Then try for a second season October-December. Start seeds indoors.

Good luck.

[SupportWoundedWarriors]

We grew tomatoes but they're winding down. Sadly nothing like my NJ tomatoes, though...
We also grew jalapeño, green and banana peppers that are still going strong. They've been amazing.

[asianthree]

Tomatoes need hot days cool nights, so northern grown had a taste that can’t be accomplished in Florida. Haven’t found any tomatoes at farm stands here that are close in taste or texture to what we grow in Michigan or Kentucky.

This year I brought heirloom tomatoes dirt and all, from our farm in KY. My granny said to put them in rolling planters in extreme heat bring them in @ night to cool. Pain in the butt but so far it’s the best tomatoes in 8 years.

My purple Cherokee seeds have been in the family from 1800s, are close to ripe, in a few days time will tell. If not I just bring down 1/2 bushel as needed.

Good luck, even fall and winter grown tomatoes in FL have little to nothing taste

[Whatnext]

Village grown produce is not organic, it is grown hydroponically. No soil, just fed on liquid nutrients and chemicals. Very efficient, and commercially sound, but not organic and tasteless.

[RoadToad]

Market at Marion has a variety. North on 441.

[damvillages]

Market of Marion has Tennessee tomatoes. Delicious!

[USOTR]

Market of Marion is a good start. But beware, some of the stuff they sell is "old stock" they get from stores.

[willimmac]

Bountiful farm in Okahumpka just outside of the Villages has organic tomatoes and lots of other vegetables, fruit, etc. They also host a farmers market on Wednesdays. Lets not forget they also have a restaurant under shade trees. They also have a guy their that sharpens knives.

[Happyretiredgal]

We love Brown & Brown Farm Market on 301.

[Nanettek3]

Originally Posted by Happyretiredgal

We love Brown & Brown Farm Market on 301.

Yes came here to say that, Brown & Brown market on 301.

[NoMo50]

The climate in Florida is all wrong for tomatoes, which need warm sunny days and cool nights. We haven't found any yet that hold a candle to those from "back home" in the Midwest. Solution? Next time you travel somewhere that does have good tomatoes, bring some back with you. And yes, TSA will let you carry on tomatoes.