A couple of years ago I built a raised garden and have planted four
tomato plants each year since then. What I am harvesting are loads of
same size, perfectly round tomatos with very little taste and baseball
hard. What variety can I plant to get tomatos like my Father had in
his garden 60 years ago? TIA Allan
Allan, Allan, Allan. I have never seen a gardener in more
desperate need of heirloom tomatoes than you. I will suggest
four varieties, but we really should know what area you live in
or your Department of Agriculture zone.
Dufresne or Dufresne #2 (they are the same): 3-4 inch, luscious,
fruit. Spreads 5-6 feet.
Sweet 100: The only cherry tomato I like. Like Dufresne, it is
a large vine.
Cherokee Purple: The opposite of what you have been growing.
Great flavour. Purple in colour, 10-12 oz fruit.
Black Krim: From the Crimean area of Russia. Delicious, earthy
flavour. Almost a black colour. Does well in adverse
conditions,
Do let us know what area you live in!
--
Gardening Zones
Canada Zone 5a
United States Zone 3a
Sixty years ago, Rutgers was the most popular tomato, with Marglobe
still in the running. Many home gardeners grew the Red Ponderosa which
was also called Beefsteak. Today hundreds of "heirlooms" have been
introduced by amateur breeder/traders. They have become very popular
for various reasons, but I have not found any that can beat those old
commercial varieties. If you like yellow, the Golden Ponderosa is very
good. The Purple Ponderosa and and its imitators are very good pinks.
On 24 Apr 2006 18:02:35 -0700, " snipped-for-privacy@bellsouth.net"
Marglobe....bingo!!!!! That was what he raised. Thanks to all. I am
going to find some of these plants for this year and try a variety.
Thanks to all
Allan
The most delicious tomato I've grown in recent years has been the
Brandywine. Very large, pink rather than red, relatively thin skin.
So full of flavor you don't even want to put a vinaigrette on it, just
a pinch of salt. Oxheart is another very tasty heirloom variety. -aem
Mentioned to my nephew today about my post here and the reponses. He
casually mentioned that he started 8 varieties of tomato plants each
year and one of them is Brandywine....and he will give me all the
plants I want.
I really did get a lot of info from people with that post. Thanks
again.
Allan
I have never tasted Rutgers. That said, the Red Brandywines were
extraordinary in their flavour, but each vine produced only 4 or
5 tomatoes. Perhaps I am too far north -- in eastern Ontario
near Ottawa. I am told Rutgers produces much better.
--
Gardening Zones
Canada Zone 5a
United States Zone 3a
We really love pineapple stupice. Each year we try several different
heirloom varieties in addition to our standards. Seek out unique
varieties at the local garden center, farmers market or mail order
nursery. A nice site to read about the different varieties and what
they taste like is http://www.tomatofest.com/tomato_seeds_search.html
I like to browse, make note of what sounds good and then hunt them down
locally.
marcella
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