Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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May 18, 2010 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pennsylvania Zone 6
Posts: 461
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Opinions on Juliet
On another site this variety is really getting a lot of bad press for thick skin and no flavor. Any other opinions here? I put one in but have time to replace it if it is really that bad.
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May 18, 2010 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 2,648
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I grew this years ago, when it was new and I still grew hybrids. It was one of the largest plants I've ever grown and one of the most productive. I don't think even one of those tomatoes cracked either. Those are the positive things I have to say about Juliet. Yes, the skin is quite thick, and flavor is lacking. I gave millions of them away and dried most of what I kept. I only grew it once because it wasn't a favorite of mine. Hope that helps.
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Michele |
May 18, 2010 | #3 |
Buffalo-Niagara Tomato TasteFest™ Coordinator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Z6 WNY
Posts: 2,354
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I grew this a long time ago also. I do remember the very thick skins. I don't remember the flavor. It must not of been awful, but not really good either. I know I didn't want to grow it again.
Remy
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"I wake to sleep and take my waking slow" -Theodore Roethke Yes, we have a great party for WNY/Ontario tomato growers every year on Grand Island! Owner of The Sample Seed Shop |
May 18, 2010 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brush Prairie, WA
Posts: 925
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I found Juliet extremely productive, no blemishes, and pretty. Too bad I'll never grow it again because it was also completely bland and tough skinned. BUT...I'm glad I grew it myself so that I know for sure how it fared with my own tastes and not always wondered about others opinions, so since you already have it, go for it...it's the only way to be positive for yourself.
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Linda10 |
May 18, 2010 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Virginia Bch, VA (7b)
Posts: 1,337
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I have never grown it, but have heard that a sweetness comes out when it's
cooked. Fresh, not much flavor. |
May 18, 2010 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Back in da U.P.
Posts: 1,848
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i may be in the minority here. i grew juliet a couple times and thought it was ok. yeah, the texture was on the firm side, crunchy you could say,but i thought the flavor was decent. it was on the sweet side if i remember correctly. it did well in the cool U.P. of mi
there are lots of other tomatoes that i like better, but i would say its worth trying once. keith |
May 19, 2010 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California Central Valley
Posts: 2,543
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I grew it once, too. I don't remember a thick skin, but Juliet tasted ok and was very productive, and I liked the shape. That year, I had several small-fruited varieties, and J fell in the middle for me -- not grow-it-again good like Black Cherry or Tommy Toe or Galinas, not better-than-average like Black Plum, not bland like Sweet Chelsea, and not inedible like Large Red Cherry.
I think it's worth growing once to see if you like it. I know people at the community garden who grow it ...but they also grow Yellow Pear. Both are probably good varieties if you're looking for reliable, prolific, mild-tasting tomatoes, or if you like to give away tomatoes. IIRC, Juliet is also a better keeper than other small-fruited varieties. |
May 20, 2010 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Burnet, TX
Posts: 138
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I'm not ashamed to say that I grow it more often than not. The taste is mild but I would not say bland. The plant is very productive and more disease tolerent than most in my garden. The fruit is crisp (crunchy is a good description). They are good in a salad and great when dried. I would suggest you try it if you have the room and decide for yourself.
Jim |
May 20, 2010 | #9 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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I grow them every year along with Better Boy hybrids as my insurance tomatoes. If all others die from some weird condition or disease, they won't. I get more requests from friends and family, who I supply with tomatoes every year; for the Juliet. I personally think it is bland tasting when ripe, but it is my favorite to pick and eat in the garden when still slightly green. It has a great tangy taste before it fully ripens. Maybe it should be listed as an "eat when green" tomato. My biggest fear is my normal hybrid supplier will decide to not grow them some year in the future.
Ted |
May 21, 2010 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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It is definitely not the worst tasting tomato I've ever grown but it is certainly in the running. Grew it once. Huge plant that can only be killed by Roundup or pulling it up.
The most productive tomato ever and the hardiest. Couldn't give them away fast enough so I finally gave up and pulled it after a couple of months of production. The fruit is blemish free with a thick skin, very firm, with little juice, and nearly tasteless. If it was the only tomato that could be grown here I might consider growing again. |
May 22, 2010 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Locust Grove, VA
Posts: 292
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I grew it last year as well, early, productive, vigorous plants, but, to my taste buds - lack of flavor and yes, as mentioned above - tough skin. Nice early snack, but not in the garden this year...
Regards, D |
May 22, 2010 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pennsylvania Zone 6
Posts: 461
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Thanks for all the input. I pulled it and replaced it with a German Johnson. The one thing we don't like on any tomato is tough skins. Thanks again.
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May 22, 2010 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: cincinnati
Posts: 202
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I think big daddy jim commented that they are good for batting practice, so I think German Johnson will taste much better!!!
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June 5, 2010 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Upstate SC, Zone 7
Posts: 543
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I tried Juliet at a tomato tasting and was pleasantly surprised. I had heard all the negative things about it, but the ones at the tasting were pretty good. It was definitley not the highlight of the tomato tasting, but it wasn't bad. It was rather firm, almost crunchy, with a texture similar to the hard things from the grocery store. The flavor was okay though.
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Holly |
June 5, 2010 | #15 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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I'm not having a really great year with my tomatoes. The Juliets are doing great however. We had a few with dinner. I tossed a few to the dog who also appreciates them. I may not have any really great tomatoes this year, but the Juliets taste pretty good and I am happy with them.
Ted |
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