Tomato List 2017

Cherokee Purple and Brandywine.

I think I will have 84 tomatoes when I am done planting (low number for me!).

Lots of Dwarf project R&D work going on - working on variegated foliaged compact dwarf growing plants - also yellow foliage, chartreuse foliage, and working the high antho gene into something that actually tastes good.

I need to get you some Lucky Cross - it is the only big yellow/red tomato I enjoy eating (the others are gorgeous, but too mild/sweet for me!).

Then there are the peppers..and eggplants....

splitting. Vigorous in 7 gallon pot, quick and early. I think I'll root some cuttings and get more plants going or give them away!

Speaking of that, I've been rooting cuttings quite a bit and making more plants...do you notice any diminishment of vigor or form in the plant grown from cuttings as opposed to seed? Thanks in advance for input....

Not tried Lizzano dwarf - I have my hands full with dwarfs since I am co-leading a breeding project - we have 70 new ones in seed catalogs, more on the way

I always grew Early Girl, Sun Gold, and at least one variety of big, juicy, eat out of your hand hot from the sun variety back in New England. I also grew at least one variety of cherry tomato plus plum tomatoes for canning.

Tomatoes always did well back there. Cucumbers, not so much.

I never had luck with Black Krim, so I skipped it this year.

I've had good luck with both AK Traveler and Hillbilly. Not so much with Mr. Stripey, though.

I can't remember what all I bought, but here are a few:

Juliet
Ponderosa
Mountain Merit
Carolina Gold (one of my faves!)
Brandywine
San Marzano
Polish Heirloom
I still need to find some Cherokee Purples.

My husband went bonkers with the hot peppers this year, so I have maybe 18 of those. I still need red bell peppers. I have a LOT of herbs because many are perennial.

This is THE WEEK to plant! Happy gardening!

I either get a vigorous plant with lots of 3-4 oz fruits or a non vigorous plant with beefsteak style fruits.

Never had any luck with them. Not sure if it is because she is lousy at seed starting or the variety is not good in the South.

Stump of the World
Pink Brandywine
German Pink
Brandy Boy (hybrid - Burpee)
Mortgage Lifter
True Black Brandywine
Black Cherry
Black Krim
Glacier
Riesentraube

I've had most out since the first-second week of April as I use Wall O' Waters to get the season going faster. If they grow out of the season extenders, like this year, I cover them with row covers to protect them from frost. Sadly, I had to do that this last week.






Taken Today May 14

Lizzano (charming dwarf already producing lots of super tasty cherries)

Cherokee Chocolate

Greengold

Michael Pollan (read his excellent recent book so giving him props)

Summer of Love (supposed to be an improved Berkeley Tie Dye)

Black Seaman* (super tasty and beautiful. first tomato of size had BER but next ones seem to be holding up)

Black Cherry* (hard to beat)

Black Ethiopian (really looking forward to these)

Fourth of July (needed a hardy, reliable red for a shared garden. So far so good)

Rutgers 250 (new and improved...plant seems a bit weak/slow where I have it)

Sweet Tangerine

Clementine (loaded with fruit in pretty clusters)

Brown and Black Boar* (loved this last year)

Sunchocula*

Isis Candy (have it next to public walk where kids can pick some as they walk past)

Ones with asterisk I've done before. Went to Tomatomania and was seduced by enthusiastic testimonials. Stoked, so far...vigorous, healthy plants with lots of flowers and little green tomatoes. No room for many of my standards such as Black Krim, Green Zebra, Sungold

glossy, perfectly red fruit. Too bad they don't taste all that great. Honestly, I might grow it again, just because it looks great in a pot.... My entire veggie garden is in containers, so I only get a few choices for tomatoes if I want anything else.