What We Grew Then, and What We Grow Now: A Look at the History of Gardening

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, Dr. Craig LeHoullier, a.k.a. "North Carolina's Tomato Man," took us on a tour of gardening trends starting in the mid-1800s through current day trends. This "genealogical" tour of American gardens and gardening through the years examines what cultural, historical, and even meteorological events impacted what we grew then, what we grow now, and what we might grow in the future. About Craig LeHoullier Craig LeHoullier is the author of two best-selling books on gardening, Epic Tomatoes, and Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales. His gardening obsession began in 1981 when he began tending his first garden with wife, Susan. He soon joined Seed Savers Exchange, becoming an advisor for tomatoes, and became responsible for naming and popularizing many well-known tomato varieties. He is an amateur tomato breeder who continues to co-lead the Dwarf Tomato Project, a unique, world-wide, volunteer tomato breeding project that brings great tomatoes to those who choose or require container gardening. Craig is a popular lecturer across the country at major gardening events, as well as a frequent guest on podcasts and radio shows. His current and upcoming projects include a self-published garden cookbook, a weekly Instagram Live each Friday at 3 p.m.(EST) from his garden (when in season), and additional appearances on podcasts, webinars and lecturing events. A Rhode Island native, he currently lives and gardens in Hendersonville, North Carolina.