What do you think of Marglobe?

[happychick]

I got free seeds with an order I purchased. I don't seem to see them on any favorites lists anywhere, so I'm wondering if I should bother with them next year or not. I'm pretty sure I won't have a ton of garden space, so is it worth giving some of it to Marglobes?

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by happychick

I got free seeds with an order I purchased. I don't seem to see them on any favorites lists anywhere, so I'm wondering if I should bother with them next year or not. I'm pretty sure I won't have a ton of garden space, so is it worth giving some of it to Marglobes?

Whether you choose to grow Marglobe, at least to me, depends on what other varieties you want to grow, since you have limited space.

Marglobe is an old commercial heirloom and pretty much the same as Valiant, New Yorker, Rutgers, Break O Day and similar varieties. All medium sized round reds, yield well, and have been used by many for canning.

The only one of those I'd grow for taste would be Break O Day, but I know others here might well have other opinions.

[nctomatoman]

I think that Marglobe is a pretty typical medium sized, good flavored, "tomatoey" flavored red...since it has been around since the mid 1920s, it is a good bet that tomatoes you may have tasted out of your grandparent's garden, or from farm stands when you were young, were Marglobe, or the very similar (and related) Rutgers. Both were immensely popular and commonly grown varieties from their release date until the advent of hybrids in the late 1940s. Because it is so common, it is probably somewhat ignored in the rush to grow the more rare or faddish heirloom varieties.

I've grown it a few times - the flavor is very good, as well as the yield - but it all depends upon your growing strategy whether to include it or not in your plans. I could be a good benchmark against to judge the less common ones.

[arvisp]

My space is limited but I grow a couple of either Marglobe or Rutgers every year. (This year I had one of each, a first) They are very common but also very dependable. Both have decent flavor and high yields. Weather conditions seem to have little effect on these two workhorses, they have high yields no matter what!! They are nice to have around when you get a poor yield from a much hyped heirloom (like Marianna's peace or Brandywine pink) If you are looking for a steady dependable determinate either of these is a good choice. They are among the best medium sized red heirlooms.

[happychick]

Thank you! These sound like exactly what I need, then. My lack of experience has resulted in less than outstanding yields so far, lol, so this could be perfect for me (for in case I practically kill everything else).