The Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Transylvania County are thrilled to announce their first educational program of 2026, featuring nationally renowned tomato expert Craig LeHoullier. Known to gardeners across the country as “Mr. Tomato,” LeHoullier will present "Growing Epic Tomatoes" on Tuesday, January 13th.
LeHoullier, the author of the award-winning book Epic Tomatoes, will take the audience through his 40-year journey with the world’s most popular garden vegetable. The presentation will blend history and storytelling with practical, local advice on which varieties thrive specifically in the Western North Carolina climate.
The session will cover the entire tomato life cycle, including:
Tomato Culture: Success from seed starting to seed saving.
Cultural Methods: Best practices for planting and maintenance.
Troubleshooting: How to identify and manage common pests and diseases.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their curiosity and their specific gardening questions for a dedicated Q&A session with the expert.
Craig LeHoullier lives and gardens in Hendersonville, North Carolina. His love of heirloom tomatoes began with his joining the Seed Savers Exchange, in 1986. He is responsible for naming and popularizing many well-known tomatoes, such as Cherokee Purple, Lillian’s Yellow Heirloom and Lucky Cross.
In 2005 he added amateur tomato breeding to his garden resume and is responsible for creating 145 new compact-growing varieties for space-challenged gardeners.
The program will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, doors open at 9:30 AM, in the Community Services Conference Room, 106 E. Morgan St., Brevard, NC. The program is free and the public are welcome.
About the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Transylvania County: The Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by NC State Extension to provide research-based information on gardening and environmental stewardship to the local community.
For more information regarding this event, please contact the Extension office at 828-884-3109.
