Growing 1,000+ heirlooms, what varieties?

Ruby · February 23, 2007

Some background:
I have recently returned to school for a degree in Agronomy and am very excited that my first project is growing 1,000+ tomatoes to be harvested and sold fresh at local farmer's market and the market on campus.

I don't post much, but I'm a long-time lurker on Tomatoville and I thought you all might be able to take a look at my list of varieties and see if I'm on the right track or just give me your thoughts about growing on a larger scale. This list is comprised mostly of recommendations from Carolyn's book, along with additional varieties I'm personally interested in.

My goals are to have a successful crop and to get a feel of which varieties will do well in the area. I need to get the seeds from commercial sources and I have a few of these already. Heat is going to be an issue for fruit setting, so I want to give myself the best chances by choosing enough heat tolerant or "easy" varieties. The tomatoes will be grown in Eastern Los Angeles County in southern California.

Strong contenders:
Druzba
Box Car Willie
Eva Purple Ball
Mule Team
Red Brandywine
Brandywine (Sudduth)
Break O' Day
German Red Strawberry
Orange Strawberry
Kellogg's Breakfast
Dixie Golden Giant
Golden Queen
Cherokee Purple
Zogola
Mortgage Lifter
Riesentraube
Opalka
Aunt Ruby's German Green
Earl's Faux

Also considering:
Green Grape
Pink Ice
Yellow Pear/Red Pear (I'm not a fan, but I think people like them)
Amana Orange
Black Prince
Amish Paste
Old German
Pink Ping Pong

Having problems finding seed are they worth seeking?
Lida Ukrainian
Reif Red Heart
Nicky Crain
Earl of Edgecombe

I'm really excited to be working on this and appreciate any help or words of wisdom!

February 23, 2007	#1
Ruby Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 44	Growing 1,000+ heirlooms, what varieties? Some background: I have recently returned to school for a degree in Agronomy and am very excited that my first project is growing 1,000+ tomatoes to be harvested and sold fresh at local farmer's market and the market on campus. I don't post much, but I'm a long-time lurker on Tomatoville and I thought you all might be able to take a look at my list of varieties and see if I'm on the right track or just give me your thoughts about growing on a larger scale. This list is comprised mostly of recommendations from Carolyn's book, along with additional varieties I'm personally interested in. My goals are to have a successful crop and to get a feel of which varieties will do well in the area. I need to get the seeds from commercial sources and I have a few of these already. Heat is going to be an issue for fruit setting, so I want to give myself the best chances by choosing enough heat tolerant or "easy" varieties. The tomatoes will be grown in Eastern Los Angeles County in southern California. Strong contenders: Druzba Box Car Willie Eva Purple Ball Mule Team Red Brandywine Brandywine (Sudduth) Break O' Day German Red Strawberry Orange Strawberry Kellogg's Breakfast Dixie Golden Giant Golden Queen Cherokee Purple Zogola Mortgage Lifter Riesentraube Opalka Aunt Ruby's German Green Earl's Faux Also considering: Green Grape Pink Ice Yellow Pear/Red Pear (I'm not a fan, but I think people like them) Amana Orange Black Prince Amish Paste Old German Pink Ping Pong Having problems finding seed are they worth seeking? Lida Ukrainian Reif Red Heart Nicky Crain Earl of Edgecombe I'm really excited to be working on this and appreciate any help or words of wisdom!