2015 Grow lists - Is it Time??

[Father'sDaughter]

I haven't seen a thread yet, so maybe it's too early. But if I don't make a declaration, I'll just keep changing my mind! So here we go.

Eating, in ground:

Franchi cherry*
Barlow Jap
Dester*
Giant Belgium*
Russian 117
Russian 117 NOT*
Tarasanko 6*


Pastes in Ground:

Antique Roman*
Buddy Runyon
Casino*
Chico Grande
Costoluto Genovese*
Federle*
George Ditska's Italian Red
Hog Heart Paste*
Nudi Family Heirloom*
Santa Maria*
Shedra Sliva Tarasenka
Super Italian Paste
Venetian Marketplace


Five Gallon Grow Bags:

Morovsky Div
Early Wonder Pink*
San Marzano Nano
Whichever Dwarf Project Varieties I'm assigned

* Repeats

I've had rotten luck with every San Marzano variety I've tried, but I'm going to give the Nano's a try in a grow bag.

[taboule]

FDaughter, it's never too early, bravo for leading the way and sharing your list. We need trail blazers like you ;-)

My list is still germinating in my head. I have worked on my strategy though and this year will definitely have both fewer plants and varieties. I'd like to focus on the ones that did best. Will likely have only a couple of new types. I also bought my first pack of seeds (peppers though.)

Re san marzano: I grew it for the first time last year and didn't do good. BER city, right next to other varieties that did great. Won't be invited back, will grow more hearts instead for sauce.

[Tormato]

Rotten as in blossom end rot, or something else?

[walkertrex]

Thank you for posting your list. In the short time I've been a member, I've already seen references made to so many varieties and sources I've never heard of before. I was about to order my seeds but am now holding off until I learn more about some of those that have been posted and discussed, particularly the sauce tomatoes. I primarily like to grow sauce tomatoes, then a few slicers, one or two for form/beauty/visual interest and lastly a few sungolds.

I've not had any trouble in the past with San Marzano and related types, but that may be owing to my mid-Atlantic location (?). My Opalkas far outperformed the San Marzanos this past season, so they will be making a return. Otherwise, as far as saucers, (prior to joining) I had been considering Master Caruso, Ernie's Plump, Napoli, Rio Grande and Petit Coeur de Boeuf. For visual interest- the Gezahnte. For slicing, I was fortunate to obtain some seed from my elderly neighbor who sadly passed away recently. He has been cultivating this variety for decades but I am unsure what it is. I only know he enjoyed it for its flavor, even ripening and resistance to cracking.

Looking forward to reading more posts on everyone's seed selections for the upcoming season. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[Father'sDaughter]

Thanks all. I actually started on this list last fall, but waited until I received my swap package to finalize it. It did change a bit after seeing what I received.

So.... What's everyone else growing?

[Father'sDaughter]

Originally Posted by Tormato

Rotten as in blossom end rot, or something else?

Rotten as in low yields, struggling plants, and smaller than promised fruit. This is all while neighboring plants are thriving and piling on tomatoes.

I've tried San Marzano, San Marzano Redorta and San Marzano Lungo 2. Same results with all.

--- I am currently "browsing" through my entire collection of tomato seed and pulling out packs that I want to start. My last frost date here in Kalamazoo, Michigan is May 15th. {List subject to frequent change}
My tentative list: Revised 1-17 at 3:50pm Eastern

1) Dancing With The Smurfs F-6 (I hope to have this stable this year although I believe it already is) Excellent aft, atv, and taste. In my opinion this is the best-tasting of all the anthocyanin tomatoes.
-2) Melon Ball
--3) Melanzanie
---4) Two new, and special, Striped Green When Ripes
--5) Reverend Michael Keyes
-6) San Marzano Lungo No. 2 (has anybody else grown this? I got my seed from Baker Creek in 2010-I haven't grown it yet.)
7)Sibirskiy Skorospelyi
-8) LA3969 -- I am making some crosses to produce cold-tolerant varieties.
--9) Nikola -- improved version of Sibirskiy Skorospelyi
---10) Siberian Tiger (Safety Orange-working name)
--11) Stump of the World x Bear Claw f-1; f-2 This cross has produced Rebel Yell and Northern Spy. I am revisiting it and seeing what other tasty goodies I can find. I will try the F-2's only if I have enough growout space for at least 32 or 64 plants.
-12) Solar Flare--Brad Gates calls this variety his workhorse. I need a good crop of this to evaluate and maybe touch a little pollen to.
13) King Spud
-14) P-20 x Momotaro F-4 Very good tasting easily a 9.
-- World Record Attempt Varieties
15) Delicious (3lbs. 2oz. 2012) (6.5lbs. 2011)
16) Boudyo (5lbs + 2013)

[Father'sDaughter]

Originally Posted by walkertrex

Thank you for posting your list. In the short time I've been a member, I've already seen references made to so many varieties and sources I've never heard of before. I was about to order my seeds but am now holding off until I learn more about some of those that have been posted and discussed, particularly the sauce tomatoes. I primarily like to grow sauce tomatoes, then a few slicers, one or two for form/beauty/visual interest and lastly a few sungolds.

I've not had any trouble in the past with San Marzano and related types, but that may be owing to my mid-Atlantic location (?). My Opalkas far outperformed the San Marzanos this past season, so they will be making a return. Otherwise, as far as saucers, (prior to joining) I had been considering Master Caruso, Ernie's Plump, Napoli, Rio Grande and Petit Coeur de Boeuf. For visual interest- the Gezahnte. For slicing, I was fortunate to obtain some seed from my elderly neighbor who sadly passed away recently. He has been cultivating this variety for decades but I am unsure what it is. I only know he enjoyed it for its flavor, even ripening and resistance to cracking.

Looking forward to reading more posts on everyone's seed selections for the upcoming season. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

Yes, once I joined this place a whole new world of tomatoes opened up, and the rest is history.

My parents live about thirty miles away and San Marzanos thrive in their garden. The Lungo 2 seeds came from a packet they purchased a few years ago in Italy. They are now a staple in dad's garden, but a miserable failure in mine.

I've had the same experience with pears--Franchi Giant Pear, Goldman's Italian American, Liguria. Hate my garden but love dad's.

Ribbed varieties thrive here, however (Costoluto Genovese and Fiorentino, Russo Sicilian Togeta) as do plums (Romeo, Santa Maria, Casino). Elongated varieties are hit or miss. Federle, Hog Heart Paste and Nudi Family Heirloom do great, but Opalka, Jersey Devil and Speckled Roman were disappointing.

Happy hunting!

[Dutch]

Interesting list Terry (WillysWoodPile), how big is your vegetable garden going to be this year.?
Dutch

[AlittleSalt]

Father'sDaughter, I see that Antique Roman is a repeat *. It is one we are thinking of growing. I'm wondering how well they grow, taste, etc.? We are also thinking of growing Banana Legs, Chico III, and Opalka. Spelling may be wrong?

Originally Posted by Dutch

Interesting list Terry (WillysWoodPile), how big is your vegetable garden going to be this year.?
Dutch

That depends upon many factors including my health. It could be just a 30 plant garden here in town or as big as I want out at our main family farm.

[Salsacharley]

Here's my list

[AlittleSalt]

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

Here's my list

Wow, that is a lot!

[Irv Wiseguy]

I have a modest garden and only grow a few varieties. This year on the list are:

Golden Dwarf Champion (I loved these so much last year I'm growing them again)
Stump of the World
Old German
Black Cherry
Mountain Magic
Sweet Baby Girl

I'll also be growing some bell peppers from saved seed, trying my hand at a few sweet potatoes and maybe a ground cherry or 2. I will also be growing corn in an Earthbox. I grew 18 in an Earthbox last year and they did well.

I'm only 2-3 weeks away from starting seeds already!

Irv

[charline]

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

Here's my list

wow, that could be my list! all the varieties that I like! many striped and special ones.