I love gardening.

I’ve loved gardening since 1981, when my wife and I planted our first one together in Hanover, New Hampshire, just a few months after we were married. In truth, I’ve loved walking in gardens for longer than I can remember, seeds planted by my grandfather and father in walks through their own gardens. Each of them planted the seeds of that love when I was so very young, for which I am so grateful.

I love to write about my adventures among the plants.

In doing so, I strive to share the joy that I experience while gardening with my readers. If all goes well, in addition to growing gardens, we will grow new gardeners. Being able to grow wonderful flowers, vegetables and fruit offers so much: confidence and control of what we eat, the multitude of benefits from being outdoors and working up a sweat, and creating an area to decompress, relax and share with family and friends.

I LOVE TO SHARE, TEACH, COACH and LEARn.

Though gardening can be a solitary hobby, I find that energy comes from being with and in front of other gardeners (anywhere along the experience spectrum, newbie to avid). It becomes all about collective sharing, learning, and growth. There is always something new to learn about gardening. The education process spans our lifetimes. The essence of what I do, and why I do it, is and will always be focused on learning and sharing, never about publicity and money. 

I am Craig Lehoullier.

Through the years, I’ve been known as NC Tomatoman. Some know me as the fellow who named Cherokee Purple in 1990. To others, I am the author of the books Epic Tomatoes or Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales, the co-host of Tomatopalooza, a co-leader of the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project, or just the odd person with a garden where the driveway used to be. I am the tomato nut with a website, a blog, a newsletter (on occasion), and a huge tomato and pepper and eggplant collection. Really, all I am is Craig LeHoullier - someone that heirloom tomatoes chose to help participate in their continued relevance. Welcome to my web home - look around, stay awhile and come back often. Be sure to watch for my new gardening adventures, following our January 2020 move to Hendersonville, NC - wrapping up 28 years of gardening in Raleigh!

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