Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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July 13, 2010 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lancaster, California
Posts: 233
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Beefsteak recommendations?
My wife is a fan of beefsteaks and we try every year with poor results. I live in the Mojave Desert (Lancaster, CA). Does anyone have any recommendations for a good variety to plant?
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July 13, 2010 | #2 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7
Posts: 10,385
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a question with many answers! What color? Size? Maturity? are you looking for tomatoes on the sweet, balanced or tart side?
So many options....narrow down your needs and I am sure the suggestions will come pouring in!
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Craig |
July 13, 2010 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: WI, USA Zone4
Posts: 1,887
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Welcome! You probably should give some weather info for your place...temp, rain, etc. Do you have sandstorms like Barstow? What do you mean by poor results and what varieties have you tried?
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July 13, 2010 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky 6a
Posts: 754
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How much room do you have?
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July 15, 2010 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lancaster, California
Posts: 233
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Sorry for not replying earlier. My wife cant describe to me what she is looking for... her answer is ones like my grandpa grew..lol. We get 100+ dry heat w/ winds up to 40 knots, and my garden is 12' x 12'... we live in the city.... and have to leave room for the chicken coop... lol
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July 15, 2010 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky 6a
Posts: 754
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100+ degree winds @ 46 mph sounds like whatever you grow, you need a windbreak; but you probably already know that. Try some of the Blacks & Purples? Black from Tula, Eva Purple Ball, Aunt Ginnie's Purple, Cherokee Purple.
Raybo's Earth Tainer may be a good option for you: http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/pd...tion-Guide.pdf http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/ea...-chapter1.html http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/ea...-chapter2.html http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/ea...-chapter3.html |
July 15, 2010 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lancaster, California
Posts: 233
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Thanks Timmah! but the wife is weird and wont eat blacks she said the dont look right....more for me...lol. i'll will grow a few that you recommended for me and my 2 boys.
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July 15, 2010 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: WI, USA Zone4
Posts: 1,887
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Big Beef and Better Boy. I'd read over posts here from members in the southern states where they get lots of heat like you.
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July 15, 2010 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky 6a
Posts: 754
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Well, the purples aren't black, they're more of a pink to duskky rose color; maybe those will slide by. If you convince her to taste one of the blacks, I bet she will change her mind.
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July 15, 2010 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lancaster, California
Posts: 233
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lol. I will try. Thanks again!
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July 15, 2010 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 2,984
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I'd grow them close to the ground and behind a snow fence with a shade roof built from wooden slats, just for starters. And then with a drip irrigation system under silver reflective plastic sheet mulch. Varieties? Maybe something with a tough skin and thick walls. Watch out for rattlers when you go to pick'em!
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July 16, 2010 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 5,346
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[SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I] |
July 16, 2010 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lancaster, California
Posts: 233
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thanks for the inputs everyone. i will try some of your tips. last year i had only 1 fruit set and it was by no means a beefsteak sized tomato.
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July 16, 2010 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 5,346
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I would say plant early and protect from cold. You'd probably need to build cold frames, which can be done cheap if you can find old wood-framed windows.
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[SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I] |
July 16, 2010 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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My Grandparents lived in Lancaster when I was growing up. They had a garden next to the house that was enclosed by a wooden slat structure that provided about 50% shade. She used to chase the rattle snakes out with a stick so she could tend the garden. You be talking high desert with no humidity and the wind does blow. You won't find any insects to speak of. You definitely need an early start with your plants so as to harvest before the summer heat sets in. You might be able to plant a fall crop. But it does get chilly at night in the winter and believe they even had snow on occasion though rare. Shoot me a PM with your addy and I will send you some seeds from a few beefsteak varieties I have. Ami
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