best high yielding varieties for central NC?

BirdsongNC · November 3, 2012

Hi I am trying to figure out what varieties to plant next season. I have space for 15 plants. I am looking for tasty high yielding (lbs per plant) varieties that might do well in my 7b central NC garden. Any suggestions would be awesome!!

mecktom · November 4, 2012

Welcome Birdsong...you'll love this site. I am sure German Johnson will do a great job for you. Also, try a Brandywine whether it is the Red or one of the pinks. Other varieties I like are Box Car Willie, Purple Dog Creek, and maybe a favorite being Cherokee Purple. Good luck!

**Lee** · November 4, 2012

Some that I have had success with include:
Big Beef, Cuostralee, Summertime Gold, Stokes County, Orange Heirloom, and Shannon's.
The last 3 are NC heirlooms, so they seem to be adapted for this region.

Now if you're looking for sheer volume, I have never had a more productive plant than Plum Regal. It produced 3x the fruit by the pound than any other I've ever grown. However, the flavor makes these more suited to sauce than fresh eating.

Lee

gggeek · November 4, 2012

I am in upstate SC which is pretty close to being on par with central NC growing. I have had great success with a simple Roma VF (any of many seed vendors sell this type). It is a hybrid and the VF stands for verticilum wilt and fusarium wilt resistance, so it has good disease resistance and Roma varieties are always known as big producers. As far as heirlooms go, I have good luck with Silvery Fir Tree (a compact Russian heirloom) for my fall planting (started in June, planted out in July). I have also grown brandywine with success, but I am not a fan of the low production on the plants and that wouldn't fit your request. Any indeterminate cherry tomato will do well for you and produce more fruit than you have any chance at eating or even picking. A better producing heirloom would be your classic beefsteak.

November 3, 2012	#1
BirdsongNC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8	best high yielding varieties for central NC? Hi I am trying to figure out what varieties to plant next season. I have space for 15 plants. I am looking for tasty high yielding (lbs per plant) varieties that might do well in my 7b central NC garden. Any suggestions would be awesome!!

November 4, 2012	#3
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Some that I have had success with include: Big Beef, Cuostralee, Summertime Gold, Stokes County, Orange Heirloom, and Shannon's. The last 3 are NC heirlooms, so they seem to be adapted for this region. Now if you're looking for sheer volume, I have never had a more productive plant than Plum Regal. It produced 3x the fruit by the pound than any other I've ever grown. However, the flavor makes these more suited to sauce than fresh eating. Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

November 4, 2012	#2
mecktom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southern Virginia Posts: 342	Welcome Birdsong...you'll love this site. I am sure German Johnson will do a great job for you. Also, try a Brandywine whether it is the Red or one of the pinks. Other varieties I like are Box Car Willie, Purple Dog Creek, and maybe a favorite being Cherokee Purple. Good luck!

November 4, 2012	#4
gggeek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SC Posts: 64	I am in upstate SC which is pretty close to being on par with central NC growing. I have had great success with a simple Roma VF (any of many seed vendors sell this type). It is a hybrid and the VF stands for verticilum wilt and fusarium wilt resistance, so it has good disease resistance and Roma varieties are always known as big producers. As far as heirlooms go, I have good luck with Silvery Fir Tree (a compact Russian heirloom) for my fall planting (started in June, planted out in July). I have also grown brandywine with success, but I am not a fan of the low production on the plants and that wouldn't fit your request. Any indeterminate cherry tomato will do well for you and produce more fruit than you have any chance at eating or even picking. A better producing heirloom would be your classic beefsteak.