Tomato SUCCESSES of 2008!

[billbird2111]

With all due apologies to Craig, who I guess had a rather tough year this season (my sincere apologies -- as President Clinton once said -- "I feel your pain"), I think it's time for a thread celebrating SUCCESS. And I'm happy to report -- that in the Capitol of the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia -- things are going extremely well.

Temperatures in Sacramento have been mild to say the least. No blistering heat waves this year. A few days at or near 100 -- but no solid weeks of 100 plus temps. The wildfires that fouled our Northern California skies for months during the early part of spring and summer are mostly a memory now. For those of us who waited it out -- it's a true bonanza out west.

I'm feel somewhat guilty to report that the best tomato by far this year in terms of taste is the Rainbow Beefsteak. Outstanding production. Outstanding taste. Why the guilt? The plant comes from a gentlemen who I influenced last year with my gifts of ripe tomatoes from the garden. However, soon after starting his own plants from seed and planting out, he cheated on his wife, left her and the kids, and moved in with some floozy.

And here I have his plant. And I feel a tinge of guilt every time I pick a ripe tomato -- but you can't blame the plant -- can you?

I've included some pictures below. But, basically, every heirloom in the garden is going great guns. Pineapple Beef, Pruden's Purple, Brandywine, Kellogg's Breakfast, Campbell's 1327, Omar's Lebanese -- you name it -- and it's growing and fruiting like mad. Even the Marianna's Peace is suddenly setting fruit like I've never seen the MP set fruit before. Far too many to count.

A lot of you who post here inspired me a great deal. Carolyn and her book, of course. Craig's website -- I think I've read it at least 100 times. Perhaps more. There are others.

We're doing quite a bit of canning now. A Baker's Dozen pints of salsa. Tomato sauce, whole tomatoes and a whole lot more. Heirloom season came a little late this year, but it's here now and boy howdy, what a season this is. Every single plant is just LOADED.

What more can a weekend warrior/backyard gardener ask for?

[Elayne]

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I also had my best tomato year ever! I had 24 plants that produced a ton of tomatoes! I gave them away, canned them, made salsa, and ate a bunch of BLT's! Usually, we have had frost by the end of September, but not this year. My tomatoes are still going strong. I had 13 varieties. My favorite tomato this year was Earl's Fauthis was the first year I grew it, and the flavor was exceptional. I also had great success with Marianna's Peace, and my all-time favorite Cherokee Purple.

[billbird2111]

Originally Posted by Elayne

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I also had my best tomato year ever! I had 24 plants that produced a ton of tomatoes! I gave them away, canned them, made salsa, and ate a bunch of BLT's! Usually, we have had frost by the end of September, but not this year. My tomatoes are still going strong. I had 13 varieties. My favorite tomato this year was Earl's Fauthis was the first year I grew it, and the flavor was exceptional. I also had great success with Marianna's Peace, and my all-time favorite Cherokee Purple.

WOW! That's a bunch of tomatoes there Elayne! How many plants do you have? Nice sizes too!

[Elayne]

I had 24 plants, plus one in a container (Big New Dwarf) There are 13 varieties, all heirlooms. The yellow tomatoes are Livingston's Golden Queen. The rest are Mortgage Lifters, Red Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Cherokee Chocolate, Earl's Faux, Anna Russian, Amish Paste, Super Lakota, Dona, Quedlinburger, and Marianna's Peace.

[cottonpicker]

hey....... billbird..... I am certainly impressed with your tomato success this season but, rest assured, NO ONE will hold you responsible for the no-good so-and-so who left his wife & kids, but supplied you with such a great tomato. Quit tormenting yourself. lol....

[Earl]

Originally Posted by Elayne

My favorite tomato this year was Earl's Fau

Elayne, you have exceptional taste buds! :-)

[amideutch]

I had a pretty good year considering the weather in late July and all of August was cooler than normal with rain mixed in. Ami

Standouts;
Serenity
Sweet Dreams
Spudakee Purple
Tom's Yellow Wonder
Kellogs West Virginia
Oleyar's German
Golden Cherokee
Ludmilla's Red Plum
JD's Special C-Tex
Stump of the World
Scabitha
Orange Strawberry
Plourde
Brandywine x NAR
Hungarian Heirlooms, Det and Ind (Awaiting names)

Honorable Mention;
Rhoades Heirloom
Big Chief (Brandywine Sudduth RL cross PL version)
Japan Tomato Tree
Brads Black Heart
Ludmilla's Pink Heart
Indian Stripe x Sungold
Norms Peach x Rouge D'Iraq
Costal Pride Orange

All grown in containers except for JD's, Costal Pride Orange and Plourde.