Episode: #1 30/08/06	Proudly Presented by
Presenter: Neville Passmore

The big news this spring is our sensational new tomato range which has been selected for superior growth and disease tolerance traits. To ensure that they delivered the best possible taste The Gurus took them to the Melbourne International Flower Show in April 2006 for a taste testing by the public. The four standout taste varieties at the show that were given the thumbs up by the tasters were 'Picolo Roma', 'Red Mamma', 'Abruzzi Bruschetta' and 'Salsa the Fresh Salad Tomato'. These made the grade and are available today through leading garden centres and Bunnings outlets across the country for you to buy and try in your own backyard. Piccolo Roma is a strong-growing tomato that will require staking, producing a firm, thick-walled fruit 4.5cm - 6cm in length. Fruit is produced on trusses of 6 -10 fruit with an average of 30g per fruit. 'Red Mamma' is a top performer in taste tests. This is a real Mamma of a tomato with a large, flat 180g - 200g fruits, bursting with true tomato flavour. Each one is a meal in itself. You should be planting tomatoes right now and you will love these new improved varieties because they are brilliant for the backyard. They are rich in lycopene, the potent cancer-fighting antioxidant, which is also of value for reducing high blood pressure and reducing cholesterol. Tomatoes are an important part of our everyday diet in Australia and we have found the best for every possible purpose in your backyard and kitchen. 'Salsa the Fresh Salad Tomato' is a top performer in taste tests. This early cropping and reliable tomato produces well rounded fruit of excellent flavour. It omes up a treat when thinly sliced in salads. Five to eight medium-size fruits per truss. It is a prolific, easy-care variety that is trouble free because of high disease tolerance. This tall grower requires staking. 'Abruzzi Bruschetta' is a taste test winner with large, beefsteak-type firm fruit. It has a gutsy flavour and meaty texture, round globe-shaped fruit develops in clusters 3 - 5 per truss. It also has strong disease tolerance in a robust plant which is the result of inspired breeding. This tall grower requires staking.