Garlic and tomato festival draws gardeners and foodies alike

This is the third year Tasmanian Natural Garlic and Tomatoes has run the festival and owner Annette Reed said more than 1000 people were expected.

“The festival is a celebration of all things garlic and tomato,” Mrs Reed said.

“It’s like a country fair where the public has an opportunity to see what goes on at a tomato and garlic farm.

“Our primary focus is on education. It’s important that people have an understanding of where their food comes from and seasonal conditions,” she said.

Tomato and garlic devotees can test their tastebuds and vote on their favourite varieties, pick up gardening tips from guest speakers, shop for produce at the stalls, listen to live music or enter a competition.

Gardening Australia’s Angus Stewart is speaking about growing heirloom tomatoes and garlic, including soil preparation and watering; Graeme Stevenson shares insights on soil health and worms; and garlic gardener Peter Rodger is teaching garlic plaiting.

Geronimo Aperitivo Bar & Restaurant head chef Sam Pinkard will choose his own tomatoes from the patch and pair with garlic in cooking demonstrations, and food and drinks can be bought on site.

Competitions include garlic cracking, garlic eating, how many tomatoes you can fit in your mouth and children can enter the tomato and spoon race.

This season Annette and Nevil Reed have rued changeable weather that saw their farm affected by flooding, frost, humidity and mould.

These unfavourable conditions means festival drawcard, the rotten tomato fight, will not happen this year.

“We had a rotten tomato fight last year, but there are no rotten tomatoes to throw this year,” Mrs Reed said.

“Our tomato crops were lower in yield but excellent quality, so there’s nothing for throwing,” she said.

The Tasmanian Garlic & Tomato Festival is on this Sunday (March 19) at 338 Four Springs Road, Selbourne.

Admission is $10 for adults, with free entry for children under 16 years.

Gates open at 9am, stalls open between 10am and 3.30pm and Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins is opening the festival at 11am.

For more information about the Tasmanian Garlic & Tomato Festival visit www.tasmaniangarlicandtomatofestival.weebly.com or call Annette Reed on 0438 009 522.