Is anyone growing Aker's West VA, VA Sweets, or Flame (Hillbilly)?

[onegardengirl]

Hey Kim,

I usually try to grow my plants from seeds. Last year I happened by a nursery where I live and picked up a few t.plants that I had not grown before. One of them was Virginia Sweets. It was very productive. I had several tomatoes that were over a pound and a few that were around 3+ pounds. The tomatoes had a very good flavor. The only problem I had was cracking. We had some pretty hot days here last summer and I should have been more careful with my watering when the tomatoes got so big.

I have had a vegetable garden for many years but have never grown a tomato that big. Last year was a good year for tomatoes out here in California.

Good luck with whatever you decide to grow.

Lynn

[kr222]

I'll have to try to get seed for it for next season. It sounds like it would be fun to grow. Thanks Lynn!
Kim

[stevenkh1]

I grow Hillbillies and with my soil, the taste is excellent. They are non-acidic/non-tangy, mild, and on the sweeter side. When I make chili or beef vegetable soup (like I'm eating at this very moment), a quart of Hillbillies go in the soup pot with 1 quart of Brandy-Sudduth and 2 quarts of Amish Paste.

The only issue I had growing them for the first time last year was they came very, very late: I transplanted them on April 30th and didn't pick any ripe ones until September 18th. I suspect it was due to our cool weather last summer. Beit as it may, the tomatoes were absolutely HUGE - 6"+ in diameter. They also fried up terrifically for fried green tomato sandwiches.

I will be growing them again next season.

Steve

Originally Posted by kr222

I'm looking for your opinion on the following tomatoes:

Aker's West Virginia
Virginia Sweets
Flame (Hillbilly)

Information about flavor, production, cracking, and disease resistance would be very helpful. Pictures would help a lot as well.

Thanks.
Kim