Go beyond the beefsteak: Tomato-maniac shares 6 varieties you should plant this year

Spring's here, which means if you're a gardener, it's time to plant some tomatoes. And for many Southern Californians on the hunt for unique varieties, that means a trip to Tomatomania, a popup nursery that shows up across the region . On Friday, they kicked off their largest event of the year at Tapia Bros in Encino.

Tomatomania began in Pasadena 25 years ago and now features more than 180 varieties. The search for the ideal tomato is "like racehorse breeding," said Scott Daigre, the owner of Tomatomania. He sources his starts from nearly a dozen growers, who might grow tomatoes like Brandy Boys, a cross between Brandywine and Better Boy.



LAist asked Daigre for some tomato-growing tips and recommendations for those looking to plant interesting varieties. Tomato varieties to try Tomato growing tips Find Tomatomania in Encino, Moorpark, Ojai, Santa Monica, Hollywood and more locations in the coming weeks..