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A Neighbor
Even though Bill Minkey is a tomato seed - make unnecessary connoisseur , he did n’t start out that elbow room . In fact , he remembers that gardening as a nipper feel like a task . “ My female parent gardened for canning and clobber , and we ’d help with that . Especially when we pick potato hemipteron , and potato … But [ I ] did n’t wish gardening much back then ‘ til [ I ] got into Seeds Savers , ” suppose Bill , think back how amazed he was seeing the all the variety of tomatoes . “ That ’s what drew you in , the different colors!1 ”
In 1991 Bill was work in a factory when he saw an advertizing in the local newspaper for the Seed Savers Exchange . before long after , a coworker also mention the organization and the rest is history . “ I joined decently at that point ! ” he explained .
That same year Thane Earle , another Wisconsin lister in the Exchange , gave Bill his first ten tomato plants — all of varying colors and varieties . Bill presently began commute seed with Craig LeHoullier , who literallywrote the book on tomatoes .
Bill Minkey reviews his yearly gardening log.
Craig introduced Bill to varietal favorite like the ‘ Brandywine OTV ’ tomato and to his own Dwarf Tomato Project . Each class LeHoullier air Bill new tomato plant seeds to institute . At the end of the season , the two split the seeds from the grow out and Bill lists some in the Exchange .
Over 26 years , Bill Minkey has donate nigh 500 diversity of tomatoes , beans , lettuce , and peas to the Seed Savers Exchange seed bank collection , and in 2017 , Bill listed 1,011 varieties in the Exchange .
When ask why he still garden after so many years , Bill did n’t waver . “ It ’s all about the taste . If a tomato does n’t sample I do n’t even require to blab about it . ”
Bill Minkey reviews his yearly gardening log.
In the early 90 ’s , friend and neighbour Juanita Holfstrom , introduce Bill to one of his favorite tomato varieties,‘Aunt Ruby ’s German Green ’ . Holfstrom explained that the Aunt Ruby ’s German Green was named after her auntie , Ruby Fair Arnold . She recalled , “ Now and then she would send my ma some seeds , dry in a newspaper serviette . ”
Juanita had limited succeeder with the multifariousness in her own garden , but hand on a sampling onto Bill , hopeful he might have better luck . It was in his garden , in fact , where the tomato ( then experience as ” German Green ’ ) prospered .
Inspired by the sweet , slightly spicy tone , and with Juanita ’s blessing , Bill formally change the name to Aunt Ruby ’s German Green . Due to Bill , the beefsteak is sold by over 56 seed companies far and wide , is listed by several gardeners in the Exchange , and was showcased in Carolyn Male ’s 1999 book2100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the American Garden . Tomato aficionado Carolyn Male described it as “ The only true large green beefsteak I have ever seen . ”
Bill started participating in SSE in the early 90s, and has become one of the most prolific donors in our organization.
Bill Minkey move his garden like a tight ship . “ That ’s the only reason I do n’t like mass like you coming — is the widow’s weeds ! ” he express joy . When we visited him in 2017 , Bill was in the middle of a precipitate maturate season and explained that he believe the green goddess help his tomatoes by keeping their roots stable in the rainwater and keeping them tender when it starts to ice .
From season to time of year , Bill records detailed notes on each sort maturate in his multiple garden plot in a filled - to - the - brim , spiraling - bound notebook . He chronicle the names , characteristic , growing habits , and how each variety tastes .
In accession to his tomatoes , Bill grows white potato vine , peppers , beans , and over 200 different gladiolus variety show . The gladiolus , much like the tomatoes , caught his eye ab initio with their variety in shape and color . When the weeds in the garden first “ getting forrader of him , ” his love ones ( include his baby and his girlfriend ) offer help .
‘Baranski Plum’ tomato
Bill’s Favorite Tomatoes
Aunt Ruby ’s German GreenBlack KrimKellogg ’s BreakfastMissouri Pink Love AppleOpalkaSheboyganWapsipinicon let the cat out of the bag
Learn More:
Video : BillMinkey – Becoming a Seed Saver
earlier part of the “ Legacy Donors Exhibit ” boast a group of gardening Einstein — James Leonard Farmer , creative person , teachers , factory workers , attorney , and squatter . In their supererogatory fourth dimension , they have tracked down , stewarded — and sometimes saved whole — extremely rare varieties . Some started out of curiosity , some out of frugalness , some in hunting of the best - taste love apple . We desire their stories will leave you unrestrained , and enliven to get your hands into your garden soil .
Bios indite and video edits by Kelly Loud . Interviews and correspondence by Katie Gove , Kelly Loud , Sara Straate , Molly Thompson , Tor Janson , Zack Row - Heyveld , and Toby Cain .
‘Manyel’ tomato
3094 North Winn RoadDecorah , Iowa 52101(563 ) 382 - 5990
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Seed Savers Exchange is a tax - exempt 501(c)3 non-profit-making organization dedicated to the saving of heirloom ejaculate .
‘Aunt Ruby’s German Green’ tomato
Aunt Ruby’s Yellow Cherry tomato
Every season, Bill Minkey takes detailed notes about the varieties he tests in his wild garden.
‘Chuck’s’ tomato
‘Ghost Cherry’ tomato
