IOWA CITY, Iowa — Heirloom tomatoes — non-hybrid varieties passed down through generations — are the focus of an annual event hosted by the Johnson County Master Gardeners.
The 10th Annual Taste of Heirloom Tomatoes takes place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at the Plum Grove Historical Home, 1030 Carroll St., Iowa City.
Read more from the master gardeners:
The public is invited to the 10th Annual Taste of Heirloom Tomatoes on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2-4 p.m., on the
east lawn of the Plum Grove Historical Home, 1030 Carroll St, Iowa City.
There will be many heirloom tomatoes to taste, and participants are asked to vote for their favorite variety. The rain date for this activity is Sept. 14.
Visitors are asked to consider a $4 donation to support Master Gardener programming.
This annual Master Gardener tasting activity was organized in 2013 as a tribute to heritage tomatoes, recognizing Iowa’s long history with food. The activity was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Visitors are encouraged to tour the historic home of Iowa Territorial Governor Robert Lucas and explore
the three Plum Grove gardens: Friendly Lucas Garden, a kitchen garden (1995), Grandma’s Heirloom
Flower Garden (1998), and a Wildflower Garden (2000).
All are planted and maintained by Johnson County Master Gardener volunteers. Master Gardeners donate garden produce to local food banks.
Organized in 1982, the Johnson County Master Gardener program is an educational and volunteer
service organization of the Iowa State University (ISU) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and ISU
Extension and Outreach. JCMG supports a variety of education and community outreach programs.
Funds received through JCMG public events support a variety of community outreach programs,
including a speakers bureau, community outreach, an annual plant sale & flea market, and volunteer
support of many community garden sites.
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