Tomato plants could replace poinsettias, and even holly, as the holiday décor of choice if a national research project at the University of New Hampshire proves fruitful, The Associated Press reports.
According to a report from AP, the University of New Hampshire has been experimenting with dwarf tomato plants as holiday decor. Researchers grew about six dozen tomato plants in three different varieties [Red Robin, Micro Tom, and Sweet N' Neat] and showed them off -- along with some poinsettias -- at a recent holiday open house.
"There's been so much interest in vegetable gardening in the last few seasons, and it's starting to become a larger part of spring production in retail greenhouses across the country. People are interested in growing their own food," David Goudreault, assistant manager of the Macfarlane Greenhouses at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, told AP.
"We just thought it's green, it's got red on it, and it kind of fits in with that whole concept," he said of the tomato plants. "It's something that could be locally grown, and it could be a nice little gift to bring to a holiday dinner."
Ornamental chili peppers have become popular choices for holiday décor in recent years, but they are usually too tough or hot to eat, Goudreault added. But that wouldn't be the case with tomatoes, he said.
