“Schlicht Gold” heirloom tomatoes grow in Iowa in August 2024. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

IOWA CITY, Iowa — August is prime time for tomatoes in Iowa, and heirloom tomatoes will take center stage during an Aug. 25 event by the Johnson County Master Gardeners.

Read about another seasonal Iowa appearance.

The Ninth Annual Taste of Heirloom Tomatoes is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, on the east lawn of the Plum Grove Historical Home, 1030 Carroll St., Iowa City.

Heirloom tomatoes — open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down through the generations for at least 50 years — will be available to taste during the event.

Learn more from the Johnson County Master Gardeners:

The public is invited to the 9th Annual Taste of Heirloom Tomatoes on Sunday, Aug. 25, 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 you can decide for yourself what makes heirloom tomatoes so special.

Enjoy music by Farrah Joan-Marie while judging your favorites. Master Gardeners will prepare several tomato dishes for visitors to sample. The day will also include a seed-saving demonstration and tours of the historic home of the Territory of Iowa Governor Robert Lucas.

Visitors are also encouraged to stroll through the heritage gardens on site. Three gardens were created in 1995 and are maintained by Johnson County Master Gardeners today. Produce from the kitchen garden is donated to local food banks.

A $4 suggested donation for the event includes door prizes. The rain date for this event is Sept. 8.

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.