In early April, students in Wiscasset Middle High School science classes planted seeds of 16 varieties of heirloom tomato plants for the annual Morris Farm community plant sale. By May 3, the seedlings were large enough to transplant into the four-inch pots that will hold them until the sale on May 27.

Several adult volunteers from Morris Farm assisted the students in the project  under the guidance of biology teacher Ralph Keyes. Morris Farm Co-President Merry Fossel, who spearheaded this long-term collaboration with the school, talked to the students about the nonprofit’s programs and thanked them for helping with the tomato project.  

The students learned about heirloom tomatoes – naturally pollinated tomatoes whose seeds have often been handed down for many generations.  Some varieties planted are over 100 years old. Students learned how to transplant the delicate plants without damaging the tiny roots and how to nurture the seedlings.  Nearly 500 seedlings will be available for sale.  The array of plants include slicing, paste and cherry tomatoes that are red, yellow, orange, purple, green and a deep red that is called black.

The May 27 sale runs from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Morris Farm, 156 Gardiner Road (Route 27) in Wiscasset and will also include hardy Maine-grown perennials and herbs from local gardens, along with a few annual flower and vegetable seedlings.

The Morris Farm is a nonprofit educational farm. It is open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. It is home to the Margaret Ellis Community Gardens, the Wiscasset Primary School Garden, and a University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Demonstration Garden. Morris Farm, please visit www.morrisfarm.org, email info@morrisfarm.org or call 882-4080.