Because Carolyn and Craig never stopped talkin' maters,

Noreaster · May 30, 2010

..... I couldn't decide exactly what to grow in 2010.

Starting off with Carolyn's book, and descriptions of varieties by Craig......my interest has gotten out of hand. Insanity !

124 plants in the ground now.....and the following 88 varieties are all represented this year:

(Will show pics as the season progresses )

AC Red
Aker's Oxheart
Aventunia
Azoychka
Bangladesh Heart
Black Aisberg
Black Ethiopian
Carmello
Caspian Pink
Cherokee Purple
Costa Rica
Costoluto Genovese
Debbie
DePinto Family Heirloom
Depp's Pink Firefly
De Sandes
Earl's Polish
Eckert's Polish
1884
1884 Purple
Farmer's Market Bi-Color
George's Greek Beefsteak
Gerig
German Red
Giant Italian Paste
Granny Cantrell German
Idaho Moscow
Indian Moon
Iraqi
Jerry's German Giant
Jersey Giant
Jersey Devil
Joffre
John Baker
John Losasso
JTD
Jumbo Jim Orange
Jutland
Kornesvescue
Lenny & Grace
Lillian's Yellow
Lucky Cross Pink
Mandarin Cross
Marzapan Gold
Mexico Midget
Mexican Yellow
Momotaro
Mortgage Lifter (Estler's)
Nyagous
Old-Fashioned Ridge
Old German
Old Timey Looney
Old Yellow Candy Stripe
Olirose
Opal Essence
Opalka
Orange Oxheart
Orange Russian #117
Orange Strawberry
Orange, The
Polish
Ponderosa Red
Powers Heirloom
Pumpkin
Purple
Ramapo
Red Zebra
Rose
Russian Giant
Seattle Best-Of-All
Shuntukski Velican
Sochulak
Tanana
Texas Star
Tropic
Trucker's Favorite
Tuxhorn Roy
Tyrell County
Ukrainian Vining
Uncle Ike's Red
Uncle Steve
Verna Orange
Vintage Wine
Virginia Sweets
Wins All
Wisconsin 55
Yellow w/red stripes
Zapotec Pleated

Using Carolyn's method of keeping seeds in glass viles (many of above seeds were 5-6 years old), germination was quite successful, without any soaking. Also, this year all beds are covered with thick (6 Mil) black plastic to keep out weeds and keep soil moist. Made large holes for planting, then covered them all with a few inches of mulch. Will see if it helps !

Happy growing to all !

Noreaster

remy · May 30, 2010

That is a big list! How many did you grow in previous years?
Remy

veggie babe · May 31, 2010

Noreaster.......... boy oh boy you have got it bad. Who told you that you could listen to Carolyn and Craig anyway

they will get you in trouble when it comes to planting tomatoes.
Hope you have a great year, you will surely be busy.

Neva

Noreaster · May 31, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by remy

That is a big list! How many did you grow in previous years?
Remy

Remy,

It averages about 40-50 or so.....never really exacting ! My collection of varieties is quite large. But if I don't get going on trying NEW ones I have, too many years might go by...and VERY old seeds may not germinate !

Or, then again.......perhaps I could just send the ancient ones to Carolyn, and SHE could make 'em come up ! Ha, Ha !

But what a joy, seeing so many different shapes, colors, and sizes.....and being productive enough to make sauce and give away edible gifts. Wow.
What a fun time of year.

Noreaster · May 31, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by veggie babe

Noreaster.......... boy oh boy you have got it bad. Who told you that you could listen to Carolyn and Craig anyway

they will get you in trouble when it comes to planting tomatoes.
Hope you have a great year, you will surely be busy.

Neva

You're RIGHT VB !!

All they have ever done is start trouble. Ha, Ha !

dice · June 2, 2010

One good thing about having that many, a tomato plant that
only produces 5 or 6 fruit is not a tragedy. At least you got to
taste it, and now you have a solid basis for an opinion about it.

Noreaster · June 3, 2010

That's so true, dice. A very high production plant is always great to have, but low production plants are FUN too . With multiple selections, it feels like being in the old fashioned candy store !!

Been a week or so now......things are looking quite strong this year for the startup.

Can't wait to start BRAGGIN' !!

spyfferoni · June 3, 2010

I bet you make your neighbors happy---I know I would be thrilled to have you as a neighbor!

Noreaster · June 4, 2010

Yeah, Spyfferoni !

And it pays off, too !!! People that get the heirloom gifts smile all year long when waving hello. People at work, service folks, etc, etc. more pleasant and cooperative.

Try it when dealing with someone where you need to make appointments.
You'll get squeezed in to YOUR best time slot much more often !

But mainly I do it for our own fun in giving something that others will rarely if EVER find at retail, no matter how many bucks are lounging in their pocket.

Heirlooming ! Great fun, and great eatin' too ! Yee- Haa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 30, 2010	#2
remy Buffalo-Niagara Tomato TasteFest™ Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Z6 WNY Posts: 2,354	That is a big list! How many did you grow in previous years? Remy __________________ "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

June 2, 2010	#6
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	One good thing about having that many, a tomato plant that only produces 5 or 6 fruit is not a tragedy. At least you got to taste it, and now you have a solid basis for an opinion about it. __________________ -- alias

May 30, 2010	#1
Noreaster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northeast Posts: 260	Because Carolyn and Craig never stopped talkin' maters, ..... I couldn't decide exactly what to grow in 2010. Starting off with Carolyn's book, and descriptions of varieties by Craig......my interest has gotten out of hand. Insanity ! 124 plants in the ground now.....and the following 88 varieties are all represented this year: (Will show pics as the season progresses ) AC Red Aker's Oxheart Aventunia Azoychka Bangladesh Heart Black Aisberg Black Ethiopian Carmello Caspian Pink Cherokee Purple Costa Rica Costoluto Genovese Debbie DePinto Family Heirloom Depp's Pink Firefly De Sandes Earl's Polish Eckert's Polish 1884 1884 Purple Farmer's Market Bi-Color George's Greek Beefsteak Gerig German Red Giant Italian Paste Granny Cantrell German Idaho Moscow Indian Moon Iraqi Jerry's German Giant Jersey Giant Jersey Devil Joffre John Baker John Losasso JTD Jumbo Jim Orange Jutland Kornesvescue Lenny & Grace Lillian's Yellow Lucky Cross Pink Mandarin Cross Marzapan Gold Mexico Midget Mexican Yellow Momotaro Mortgage Lifter (Estler's) Nyagous Old-Fashioned Ridge Old German Old Timey Looney Old Yellow Candy Stripe Olirose Opal Essence Opalka Orange Oxheart Orange Russian #117 Orange Strawberry Orange, The Polish Ponderosa Red Powers Heirloom Pumpkin Purple Ramapo Red Zebra Rose Russian Giant Seattle Best-Of-All Shuntukski Velican Sochulak Tanana Texas Star Tropic Trucker's Favorite Tuxhorn Roy Tyrell County Ukrainian Vining Uncle Ike's Red Uncle Steve Verna Orange Vintage Wine Virginia Sweets Wins All Wisconsin 55 Yellow w/red stripes Zapotec Pleated Using Carolyn's method of keeping seeds in glass viles (many of above seeds were 5-6 years old), germination was quite successful, without any soaking. Also, this year all beds are covered with thick (6 Mil) black plastic to keep out weeds and keep soil moist. Made large holes for planting, then covered them all with a few inches of mulch. Will see if it helps ! Happy growing to all ! Noreaster Last edited by Noreaster; June 6, 2010 at 12:02 AM. Reason: Added 9 new varieties, now at 88 w/124 plants

May 31, 2010	#3
veggie babe Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: east texas Posts: 686	Noreaster.......... boy oh boy you have got it bad. Who told you that you could listen to Carolyn and Craig anyway they will get you in trouble when it comes to planting tomatoes. Hope you have a great year, you will surely be busy. Neva

June 3, 2010	#7
Noreaster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northeast Posts: 260	That's so true, dice. A very high production plant is always great to have, but low production plants are FUN too . With multiple selections, it feels like being in the old fashioned candy store !! Been a week or so now......things are looking quite strong this year for the startup. Can't wait to start BRAGGIN' !!

June 3, 2010	#8
spyfferoni Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 675	I bet you make your neighbors happy---I know I would be thrilled to have you as a neighbor!

June 4, 2010	#9
Noreaster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northeast Posts: 260	Yeah, Spyfferoni ! And it pays off, too !!! People that get the heirloom gifts smile all year long when waving hello. People at work, service folks, etc, etc. more pleasant and cooperative. Try it when dealing with someone where you need to make appointments. You'll get squeezed in to YOUR best time slot much more often ! But mainly I do it for our own fun in giving something that others will rarely if EVER find at retail, no matter how many bucks are lounging in their pocket. Heirlooming ! Great fun, and great eatin' too ! Yee- Haa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!