2016 CherryTomatoes...2017?

[oakley]

I have had such an amazing tomato season despite so many obstacles in my climate as so many have. Hot early, then a blast of cold that killed all fruit tree blossoms, blah blah...
(secretly the massive fruit harvest last year was intensely exhausting processing and harvesting all that load)...only friends and recipients were thrilled. (free organic fruits!)

I focused on my tomatoes that always do well...somehow.

Planning a harvest tomato tasting menu for the up-coming weekend i've got some great ideas...bloody hot summer. Surprised how well the garden is. Salads are fantastic.

I have 16 healthy spots for cherries. 24 for 2017 easy. (lots of land)

Cherries often get neglected as important earlies and good snackers.
Love them.

[Labradors2]

Looks delish! I see you have Maglia Rosa, but what is that yellow elongated one on the left which looks too small to be Blush?

Which are your favourites?

Do let us know the results of the tomato tasting at the weekend.

Linda

PS If you are asking, my favourite cherries this year were Maglia Rosa, Blush, Ambrosia Rose, Carbon Copy and Rosella

[My Foot Smells]

Originally Posted by oakley

I have had such an amazing tomato season despite so many obstacles in my climate as so many have. Hot early, then a blast of cold that killed all fruit tree blossoms, blah blah...
(secretly the massive fruit harvest last year was intensely exhausting processing and harvesting all that load)...only friends and recipients were thrilled. (free organic fruits!)

I focused on my tomatoes that always do well...somehow.

Planning a harvest tomato tasting menu for the up-coming weekend i've got some great ideas...bloody hot summer. Surprised how well the garden is. Salads are fantastic.

I have 16 healthy spots for cherries. 24 for 2017 easy. (lots of land)

Cherries often get neglected as important earlies and good snackers.
Love them.

Nice.

What do you do with all the cherry tomatoes? 24 plants would produce a 5 gallon bucket weekly or more.

IMO, the cherry tom rarely gets the credit it deserves. Often they pack more flavor in a bite than their bigger cuz. However, generally a p.i.t.a. to sauce up. But, great on a shis-ka-bob.

[kath]

Beautiful! Would love to know which ones you grew this season and which, if any will be back next year. I grew 13 varieties of cherries this season but quite a few were "Nots". Out of the rest my faves were: Sungold F1, Ron's Carbon Copy, Indigo Cherry Drops and Sweet Aperitif.

[chancethegardener]

Did you guys try Garnet? Very good flavor and production. I will grow it again this season for the farmers' market.

[AlittleSalt]

Garnet is the one I am most interested in.

My family and friends love cherry tomatoes. My wife, children, and grandchildren would like for us to only grow cherry tomatoes.

[oakley]

Yes, i am asking other favorites! And thanks for some ideas. (i posted very late last night being a bit overworked)

From left to right in the bottom photo is CubanYellowGrape. A personal favorite. I don't usually pick that green but i entertained a 4yr old last weekend and i don't have many rules in the garden with children. (or i should say she entertained me!). The basket of blush ripe Cubans went to a work tasting. Second from left is MagliaRosa, then ChocolateCherry, Then SunGold, and last is probably Coyote but not sure...(i just let her pick away). The MRosa is just a bit 6-12 hours overripe.

Two qrt zip-locks went right to the freezer whole. I use them all winter is many ways. Only 8 qrts so far...i give so many away. I work in NYC so many co-workers and friends do not have gardens. (my garden is in the Catskill mountains)

This Saturdays harvest will be more clear as all are marked. Tasting notes will be recorded. Still fine tuning the menu.

Garnet is on the 2017 short list as well as Amorosa F1. Both bred by the British Gourmet Genetics. TGS has Garnet. Garnet is OP, not sure yet about Amorosa.
Others short listed are Ania, Aztec, luckyTiger, Ron's CarbonCopy and BHN-624

I've grown so many cherry varieties over the past ten-15 yrs and have many more weak ones than keepers. I give them all 3-5 years before i kick them out of bed. Two whiteCherry plants have given me just two fruits so far this year. Two others are doing the same but that list and notes and seed packets are all in the Catskills right now.

Cherries are not my main focus but that interest has been electrified the past few years with such good successes like SunGold, CubanYellow, ChocolateCherry, MagliaRosa...pretty happy with my cherry bowl as it is but i see that it can be better.
(the purchased Artisan clamshell containers at work everyday are not what they could be.)...over-ripe and watery.

Menu so far...Mixed Cherry Bowls...un-cut
Heirloom slices....i should have about a dozen varieties ripe
Bruschetta....probably halved cherry toms, basil or tarragon
Gaspacho...fresh from the ground garlic, wild thyme, pear vinegar, etc
Leek, babyArtichoke, goat cheese tartlets and, tada (duh), cherry toms
Bloody and Virgin Mary....fresh juiced toms, need to dig up some
horseradish, lots of celery leaves (par-cel) this year

Ribs and smoked chicken, fresh corn, my salad greens are abundant
even in all this heat but i shaded that bed
Rhubarb bbq sauce, Smoked hot pepper and Tomatillo salsa
Avocado salsa verde for the chicken
(kale and chard crop failure, oh well, no biggie)

Forgot about dessert and should make a tray of cornbread. Rhubarb died back a month ago but started a second coming...happens every few years. Might be able to pull off a crumble type thing...

[oakley]

CubanYellowGrape from TGS. This one zips fast and tall. Gorgeous foliage. I don't know much about it but year two it has done well all around in taste and sturdiness through cold/wet, then hot and dry. Not a strong central stalk but holds up on its own if i miss it a week or two but does need support eventually...

Taste is lemon citrus and not at all sugary but more subtle like un-sweetened lemonade with a hint of honey or maple syrup, not cane sugar. Best just shy of ripe like the one upper right/lower right. Very translucent. Over-ripe, like most cherry/small fruit grapes, gets bland and watery. And rarely gets any cracking. (not had that it this season or last) Over-ripe i might get a split but not at all like an over-ripe YellowPear.

I'll try and get another pic on the truss.

[oakley]

Update. Good harvest party and great tomato ripe weekend. Never expected to have such a variety...
for a raw tasting as well as a menu using toms. Table centerpiece...and the kids picked
another 'Texas' tray. (some friends are from Texas)...

[Lindalana]

Will be following as I need best cherries for next year to choose. I do not care for them myself but people at plant swap love growing good cherries the most so will need to produce that. Also they make great gift baskets- give aways presents.

[PhilaGardener]

I'd have to say that cherries usually are among my first and last tomatoes of the season. They are robust, disease resistant and keep pumping out the fruit in the heat. And kids love them!