What 15 tomato plants should I grow?

[isuhunter]

Last couple years I've gone way overboard. With 20+ plants and last year didn't work out the greatest.

Here is what I want to do with the tomatoes we grow: Is it possible with 15 plants
1. Make fresh salsa frequently (~10 times quart tub)
2. Can salsa (24 pints would be good)
3. Can tomato juice (I'd like 20 qts if possible)
4. BLTs

What would you suggest I grow for varieties? I'm going to refrain from suggesting to see what everyone suggests. I'm all for starting my own seed or ordering live plants or purchasing live plants. I'll space rows 4' apart, 3 feet between plants. I would like to grow multiple varieties.

[tnpeppers]

I'll get the popcorn ready...

[isuhunter]

Originally Posted by tnpeppers

I'll get the popcorn ready...

I know this should be good.

[BigVanVader]

I will bite, but only going to suggest 1. I also can salsa yearly, over 50 quarts last year. IMHO based on the limited varieties I have grown Wes was the best all around tomato for canning/salsa. Juice is delicious, fairly meaty and few seeds good for fresh eating or processing. Productive plant that set fruit till frost.

[pondgardener]

I can probably at least a 100 pints or so of salsa as well as making sauce and my version of Ro-Tel. I would agree with the suggestion of Wes or another heart tomato like "Anna Margaret's Heart". These two are good size, meaty and contain few seeds, which helps when you are making sauce or salsa. I have both types available for a SASE and listed below is a thread link to what I grew a few summers ago.

George

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=33626

[jmsieglaff]

Originally Posted by isuhunter

Last couple years I've gone way overboard. With 20+ plants and last year didn't work out the greatest.

Curious to what you mean here. Was it too many plants and didn't have the time hence are shooting for 15 plants?

For salsa/juices have you considered succession planting some good flavored determinates that will give you more in shorter periods of time?

[isuhunter]

Originally Posted by jmsieglaff

Curious to what you mean here. Was it too many plants and didn't have the time hence are shooting for 15 plants?

For salsa/juices have you considered succession planting some good flavored determinates that will give you more in shorter periods of time?

Packed to many into small space in the garden. I had 22. There were a few that got shaded out and didn't yield well compared to when I've only had 12-15 plants.

[jmsieglaff]

Originally Posted by isuhunter

Packed to many into small space in the garden. I had 22. There were a few that got shaded out and didn't yield well compared to when I've only had 12-15 plants.

I see what you're saying. I'm going to a more spread out planting method this year, at the expense of 2-year tomato bed rotation. I'm doing this more for the purpose to trying limit conditions favorable for fungal leaf issues that I always battle. But I agree with that you're saying--more isn't always better.

About the determinate idea I had--I don't grow these types of tomatoes--but others may be able to comment on varieties and if that might make sense for your purposes.

[isuhunter]

Originally Posted by jmsieglaff

I see what you're saying. I'm going to a more spread out planting method this year, at the expense of 2-year tomato bed rotation. I'm doing this more for the purpose to trying limit conditions favorable for fungal leaf issues that I always battle. But I agree with that you're saying--more isn't always better.

About the determinate idea I had--I don't grow these types of tomatoes--but others may be able to comment on varieties and if that might make sense for your purposes.

I'll check into that. I agree I thought 22 i'd have way more tomatoes and I had WAY less.

[UFXEFU]

You did not give any details as to plant spacing or if in ground or container. If in ground I would use 4 foot row centers and 3 foot between plants. Celebrity has been a good producer for me, 12 plants gives me tons of nice tomatoes. Makes good juice and salsa.

[isuhunter]

Originally Posted by UFXEFU

You did not give any details as to plant spacing or if in ground or container. If in ground I would use 4 foot row centers and 3 foot between plants. Celebrity has been a good producer for me, 12 plants gives me tons of nice tomatoes. Makes good juice and salsa.

Nice! I'll got 4' rows (might even get 5') and 3' between plants. Last year I went 3' rows, 2' between plants.

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by isuhunter

Nice! I'll got 4' rows (might even get 5') and 3' between plants. Last year I went 3' rows, 2' between plants.

Even "3' rows, 2' between plants " can work. It depend on your gardening style. That is. if you stake and trim to 2-to 3 branches, trim excess foliage . But if you have room a "4' rows, 3' between plants "should be perfect. You won't have to prune much. Row spacing is just for gardeners' convenience and plants do not benefit from it.

Gardeneer

[Worth1]

Your not going to get all of that out of only 15 plants.
It will barely keep up with the BLT's

Worth

[isuhunter]

Originally Posted by Worth1

Your not going to get all of that out of only 15 plants.
It will barely keep up with the BLT's

Worth

I love bacon and tomatoes but i'd get sick of that much lettuce and bread!

[BigVanVader]

Originally Posted by pondgardener

I can probably at least a 100 pints or so of salsa as well as making sauce and my version of Ro-Tel. I would agree with the suggestion of Wes or another heart tomato like "Anna Margaret's Heart". These two are good size, meaty and contain few seeds, which helps when you are making sauce or salsa. I have both types available for a SASE and listed below is a thread link to what I grew a few summers ago.

George

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=33626

Wow IDK how I missed that tomato. A beauty and looks perfect for processing.