A scary story in the produce section

The outbreak of salmonella in tomatoes has caused many purveyors and chains to remove them from their menus. And tomatoes are stock-piling in Mexico, even though the FDA doesn't know exactly which growing regions are affected and which are not. People in over two dozen states are ill. Here is the FDA's latest report. The government agency suggests staying away from Roma plum tomatoes (left) and regular round tomatoes whose provenance you do not know.

Run to your local nursery this weekend to buy a tomato plant. You can even grow it in a large plastic bucket with a hole in the bottom. And the driveway is a good enough place to keep it. Baby it a little -- keep it watered -- and you'll have cheap, safe tomatoes around the end of July.