Darrell Merrell, the Tomato Man

[joiei]

And he was the MAN when it came to knowing anything and everything about tomatoes.  Darrell Passed away this past week and we will miss him.

quote: In 1993, he began selling his tomatoes at the flea market. One by one, Merrell explained to customers the value of heirloom tomatoes, eventually winning legions of fans and leading the heirloom movement in Oklahoma.  

[pmcalk]

I am so glad that you posted this.  I was going to, but hadn't had a chance.  His work has proven that, just because something is new & perhaps more efficient, doesn't make it better.  I was at the Sand Springs herbfest last weekend.  As always, his stand was packed.  Others have joined in to the heirloom business, but he was one of the first.  I am so glad that his daughter has joined in the business, and I hope to see it continue.  Cherokee Purple from the Tomato Man are the best tomatoes I have ever grown or eaten.

[RecycleMichael]

I often bought plants from the Tomato Man. I never had great success with the Cherokee Purple variety. They were tasty, but I would never get many from each plant.

Darrell was great to talk to and he taught me the art of drying my own seeds and saving them for next season.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I often bought plants from the Tomato Man. I never had great success with the Cherokee Purple variety. They were tasty, but I would never get many from each plant.

Darrell was great to talk to and he taught me the art of drying my own seeds and saving them for next season.

No relation to Carrol Merrell was he? (trivia question, anyone remember what show that was from?)

I had to fight off Cherokee Purples from my pool last summer.  Not complaining, actually quite humorous.  I didn't have tomato vines, more like bushes last year.  I don't know what's in the soil by my pool, but sweet potato vines, tomatoes, banana trees, everything went ape **** last year.

Sorry to hear of Darrel's passing.  We all should be so lucky to live a charmed life and be remembered fondly.

[GG]

RIP Tomato Man I have the greatest respect for all you have done.

[mrhaskellok]

This Stuff'll Kill Ya!

[rwarn17588]

I learned of Darrell Merrell long before I moved to Tulsa.

I've been a longtime customer of Seed Savers, an heirloom seed company based in Iowa. Naturally, Darrell was a longtime adviser. Using his directions, I learned how to plant garlic and have used his methods for years.

We knew he had lived in Tulsa, but wasn't sure he was still around or maintained any sort of profile when my wife and I moved here. We figured maybe he was just a quiet backyard gardener. We had no idea he was known in the area as Tomato Man.

That changed a few years ago when we made a fortuitous detour around road construction and went down West 81st Street. We saw the "Tomato Man" sign and decided to stop. We saw more varieties of robust tomato plants than we'd ever seen in our lives. And we were thrilled to meet Darrell Merrell, who was quietly holding court, advising customers about his varieties, wearing a straw hat, and smoking a pipe. It felt almost like meeting a celebrity.

Although the last couple of years have not been good for tomato growing, too little rain for two years, then too much rain last year, we'll be eternally grateful to him for introducing us to such delectable varieties such as Sioux, 1884, Radiator Charlie's and Ugly.

[breitee]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I often bought plants from the Tomato Man. I never had great success with the Cherokee Purple variety. They were tasty, but I would never get many from each plant.

Darrell was great to talk to and he taught me the art of drying my own seeds and saving them for next season.

No relation to Carrol Merrell was he? (trivia question, anyone remember what show that was from?)

I had to fight off Cherokee Purples from my pool last summer.  Not complaining, actually quite humorous.  I didn't have tomato vines, more like bushes last year.  I don't know what's in the soil by my pool, but sweet potato vines, tomatoes, banana trees, everything went ape **** last year.

Sorry to hear of Darrel's passing.  We all should be so lucky to live a charmed life and be remembered fondly.

Let's Make A Deal.

[Gaspar]

Oh man!  That's so sad.  That guy was great. I used to buy tomato plants every year from him.  I now only buy the improved versions.

I don't like to use a lot of chemicals on the veggie garden and his heirloom varieties required me to use an arsenal of chemicals to fight Tobacco virus, vermiculum wilt, aphids, fungus, and everything that the new varieties are bread against.

I just found that I got more disease free, and significantly larger crops from Better Boy, Early Girl and my favorite Champion!

Heirlooms are great if you can grow them in a hot-house.  I just never could get much production or health from them.