what varieties of tomatoes should I plant this year?

Ohioguy · 2011-03-07T15:56:52+00:00

I've decided to use the south facing side of the house to grow tomatoes this year. There are no trees giving shade, so it gets full sunlight all day long. In the spring and fall there is a small amount of "heat island" effect due to the angle of the sun. There are also two downspouts, and I'm sure I can figure out a way to capture water from those in some manner, so that I can water them without having to use tapwater. The area is roughly 25 feet long, and I can install a lattice or fence of some kind to support climbing plants. My main focus is something prolific, with a second desire for disease resistance. I would also like to have some low acid plants, some large sandwich/beefsteak types, and then something smaller for the kids to snack on. (like the moby grape my sister grew last year) I might also be up for a plant or two that is an unusual color or heirloom variety. I bought loads of "tomato soil" on closeout last fall at Lowe's, and I'm ready to start working up the soil. I just need to make up my mind on varieties, order them, and then get the plants started on a windowsill so that I can get them planted in a couple of months. One question that I have is this: how close to the foundation/wall should I place the tomato plants? If I place it within 2' of the wall, I could potentially plant another entire row of lower growing plants over by the property line. However, I'm not sure if this would be too close. Anyway, I'm open to suggestions on varieties this year. I should probably order within the next 5 days or so.

Mar 07, 2011 21 Replies

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Nad R 15 years ago

Corn does grow well in Michigan. Can be started early, corn seems to tolerate a cooler night time temp than tomatoes. In Michigan there is about

90 days from frost to frost. That is plenty of time for corn. Many smaller tomatoes varieties grow within 120 days so an early start indoors are not to much of a problem.

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Jim Elbrecht 15 years ago

I tried the Brandywines 2 years. Admittedly, they were both bad years, cold and wet, but I wasn't impressed.

I'll make a note for them next year-- I like colored cherries & I seem to hit a lot of cold wet summers lately.

Thanks Jim

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what varieties of tomatoes should I plant this year?

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