Dean’s Greenhouse in Westlake
has inaugural Tomato Festival
By Danielle Toth
Insights
Published Aug. 26, 2009

Chef Joe Dubbs shared a schmorgishborg of fresh and dried tomatoes, olive oils, vinegars, salts, herbs and fresh mozzarella cheese. (West Life photos by Larry Bennet)

Matthew Stankivicz, 4, of Rocky River, samples cherry tomatoes at the inaugural Tomato Festival.

Despite dark, ominous clouds and a few drops of rain, Dean’s Greenhouse had its inaugural Tomato Festival Saturday.

A steady stream of visitors to the greenhouse, located at 3984 Porter Road, Westlake, were treated to a tasting of about 60 different varieties of tomatoes, ranging from Abraham Lincoln and Caspian Pink to Gardener’s Delight and Purple Smudge. An uncut version of the tomato was presented so participants could see what the whole tomato looked like, and then smaller, cut portions were available for tasting.

The tomatoes were grown in the greenhouse’s new bag garden, which features a variety of vegetables grown in soil bags laid in neat rows. The bags are tipped sideways to give greater depths, and drainage holes are poked through. The plants are set in the slits in the bag.

Participants were also given a clipboard that listed the different types of tomatoes and were asked to rate each one on four different categories: flavor, texture, appearance and acid. Ratings were on a one to five scale, with one being the worst and five being the best. The different types were also listed on a large board inside the greenhouse and participants were asked to vote for their favorites.

“So far so good,” said Don Damyanic, of Grafton, who attended the Tomato Festival with Cheryl Snyder, of Olmsted Falls. “It’s nice to be able to try a bunch of varieties, and I like the way they have them lined up. They’re all really good.”

The event also included samples of olive oil and vinegar to pair with fresh tomatoes and demonstrations of fresh mozzarella cheese-making and proper canning techniques for fresh salsa and tomato sauce from chef Joe Dubbs, of Ironwood Café.

“I haven’t heard of any other places doing something like this,” Debbie Dean-Espie, of Dean’s Greenhouse, said. “It’s really great.”

Visitors could tour the bag garden and display garden, which has hundreds of plants and flowers in full bloom.

Dean’s Greenhouse is now taking preorders for tomato and pepper plants for spring 2010. The plants will be in 5-inch pots and ready for pick-up May 15, 2010. They cost $2.99 each.

Dean’s is also preparing for its Fall FunFest, which will be Sept. 26 to Oct. 3.

For more information on Dean’s Greenhouse and upcoming events, visit www.deansgreenhouse.com or call (440) 871-2050.