We wanted "large" tomatoes this year

[clkeiper]

"But your comments gave me an idea: I might offer them for free at our local farmer's market."
Truly, your time and materials should be of higher value than "free" when you have spent time, money and knowledge to grow them... it is okay to sell them.
If there are no other vendors for plants it is okay to give away if you can't bring yourself to expect people to pay for them ( people actually come expecting to purchase them, not looking for freebies), but if there are other vendors put a price tag on them or put them at the end of our driveway to give them away.

[Cole_Robbie]

Children's homes, some homeless shelters, and believe it or not, some prisons, are often happy to get a donation of plants.

[Gerardo]

Bill's list gives you plenty to digest for at least a few seasons. My vote goes to Stump of the World.

[zipcode]

Neves Azorean gets another vote. Pretty much the only tomato I tried that seems to not be able to make small tomatoes. On other large varieties I still get some small ones, not NAR. Looks beautiful too, no catfacing. I personally wasn't that fond of the taste, but many people praise it.

[Captain Neon]

Originally Posted by JerryHaskins

One problem I have in growing tomatoes from seed: I end up with more plants than I have room for in my raised bed and more than I can give away. It really hurts me to toss them into the compost bin after they get about 18 inches tall.

I've never had much trouble giving away tomato plants. After a few episodes my father had selling used cars and my own selling a used TV, I tend to just give away things that would otherwise go into the garbage. Around here, it wouldn't surprise me if people asked for their $2 back if plant died or decided they didn't like the variety. I always clearly mark variety on pot. So far, have had no one gripe about a free plant. I'm able to get rid of plants easily through community bulletin board Facebook groups.

[Captain Neon]

I've come to a similar conclusion that Better Boy is a great tomato to grow regardless of location. I've moved 7x since 2007, and have only had bad years when I didn't plant some Better Boys in my new location.

Originally Posted by xellos99

I found this info, you should definitely stick to the ones listed below. Or alternatively I would imagine varieties grown in Kenya could take the heat, apparently they use shading nets above the toms to stop direct sunlight hitting them full force.

Better Boy, specifically named by state horticulturalists in Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, as well as "Mother Jones" magazine, leads most lists as the best performer in the Southeastern United States among indeterminates, tomatoes that provide a steady harvest until frost. "Mother Jones" magazine notes that Better Boy, released in 1971, is a "Southern classic" because of its vigor, flavor and production of bumper crops. Beefmaster and Big Boy do well in Florida and Georgia, and Early Girl and Big Beef in Georgia and Mississippi. Floradel shines in Mississippi and Florida. Other good varieties for Florida, one of the nation's top commercial tomato growing states, include Tropic, Manalucie, Manapal, Bragger and Bonnie Best, which is especially suited for North Florida.

[Jonnyhat]

Wisconsin 55, 1884, Delicious, Raspberry Giant and Brandywine from Croatia are my big winners this season, everything is over a LB, 1884 is coming back next season.

[Groundhog]

I'm just north of you in Tn. and I've had good luck with "Believe it or Not".

[JerryHaskins]

Thanks again everybody.

Great feedback!!!

I can't wait for next spring.