Exeter Seed Bank is holding the city’s first tomato festival on Sunday 10 September in celebration of the diversity of tomatoes which can be grown in Exeter’s soils.
More than 40 residents and groups have been growing tomato varieties over the summer in preparation for the festival, which will include a blind taste test, workshops, music, face painting and a tomato-based lunch from hosts Daily Bowl.
Exeter Seed Bank will also host seed-saving and chutney-making workshops in the run-up to the event.
On Sunday 3 September RHS-qualified gardener Lou Jones will lead a wild harvest ramble to hunt for meadow grass and wildflower seeds. The walk sets off from the Devon Wildlife Trust garden and ends at Exeter Phoenix.
On Saturday 9 September Daily Bowl head chef Emily Jarvis-Chase will teach workshop participants how to make tomato chutney and a fermented salsa to take home with them.
Wildflower meadow with seed collection pot
Exeter Seed Bank aims to share knowledge about seed saving, an ancient craft that is being revived in the face of diminishing seed diversity.
It is creating a seed bank that works in local soils and takes into account other issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change.
The seed bank aims to hold organic, heirloom or heritage flower and vegetable seeds, with wildflower mixes to increase the presence of pollinators.
It also programmes events that follow the seed calendar and creatively engage people with the natural world while encouraging environmental stewardship.
The Exeter Seed Bank tomato festival is from 11am-2.30pm on Sunday 10 September 2023 at Daily Bowl in Exeter Central station square.
The wild harvest ramble with Lou Jones is from 2-4pm on Sunday 3 September. Book your free place via the Exeter Phoenix website.
The tomato chutney workshop with Emily Jarvis-Chase is from 5-7pm on Saturday 9 September. Tickets cost £20 plus booking fee and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
For more information about all the events visit the Exeter Seed Bank website.
