Big Beef And The Boys

Gardeneer · May 22, 2016

There is already a thread going on Big Beef started by Hudson. The subject of Big Beef Vs similar varieties come up. So in order not to clutter that thread and let it stay on track, I am starting this thread to exchange note on the following:

== BIG BEEF
and the boys:
== BETTER BOY
== BIG BOY
== BEST BOY

Vladimir is growing all four of them and I am growing the top three, to make a comparison and pick maybe just 2 of them for the next season.
If you happened to be growing any combination of those, please come in and let us exchange notes.

Gardeneer

AlittleSalt · May 22, 2016

I am growing Big Beef and Big Boy.

Gardeneer · May 22, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

I am growing Big Beef and Big Boy.

Welcome to the BOYS club, Robert.
You are already/almost in harvest season. Let us know how do they compare, in production and taste.

Gardeneer

AlittleSalt · May 22, 2016

Sounds good.

In a different thread, You'll see a Big Beef plant that doesn't look good at all. That's not the plant I'll be comparing them to.

This is the plant for comparison

MrBig46 · May 23, 2016

I will be watching this thread and I will try contribute their pictures and experiences with these varieties.
Vladimír

isuhunter · May 23, 2016

I've got some big beef and Brandy Boy

Gardeneer · May 23, 2016

Thanks for joinin in, Vlado and Isu.
This should be interesting and informative, a kind of non-scientific study. My own reason has been for that purpose and of course in the process I will get some tomatoes too.

Gardeneer

JaxRmrJmr · May 24, 2016

I have one Cherokee Purple that is just dropping large tomatoes everyday. The next heaviest producer is Better Boy. Followed by Big Beef. My Big Beef aren't that big this year.

All have been "good" and a heck of a lot better than you can buy in the store.

Gardeneer · May 24, 2016

Thanks for your opening review, Jax.
So, Better Boy is doing better than Big Beef.
I grew Big beef for the first time last year. Average fruit size was about 10 oz.
In my garden, so far, Big Beef and Better Boy are running neck n neck in vigor and flowering. Big Boy is behind them.
I am also growing CP. It is in another competition with 4 dark tomatoes.

All right. Please keep your comments and reviews coming.

Gardeneer

wildcat62 · May 24, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

I am growing Big Beef and Big Boy.

I have 2 of each growing myself. They are in a tight race to this point.

budfaux · May 24, 2016

Count me in.
I'm growing Big Beef and Better Boy this year that I started from seed.
The plants are looking stout, and are virtually the same in size.
Separating the Big Beef and Better Boy row is a row of Celebrity, which are holding their own in comparison.
I'm hoping for a productive, taste testing fiesta from this patch.
Nice thread Gardeneer.

Gardeneer · May 24, 2016

Thanks Budfaux,

Yes , the real comparison will come when they start producing, Then of course will be a taste comparison. I, personally am betting on Better Boy to be a tough competitor.

OK ! Plse keep keeping up !

Gardeneer

AlittleSalt · May 24, 2016

I looked close today and the Big Boy has no tomatoes or flowers yet, but the plant looks really good. I'm hoping it doesn't turn out to be a mule plant, but it's still early in the season.

The Big Beef has tomatoes and flowers.

Gardeneer · May 24, 2016

Robert, I hope your Big Boy is not a mule.
It is do disappointing after so much time , energy , garden spot spent on them. I had couple of the last year myself that I pulled.

Gardeneer

Captain Neon · May 25, 2016

I don't know if this is entirely fair since I started the Big Beef outside over two weeks before any Better Boys were in the ground, but my Big Beef did much better than any of the Better Boy plants that I grew last year. Better Boy made it back to the garden this year by sheer inertia. It has always produced good tomatoes every year that I have planted it, and I have moved around a lot so hesitate to stop growing such a reliable producer of good tasting tomatoes at least until I find a consistent performer for my area that outperforms Better Boy. I've never grown tomatoes more than two seasons in the same state. Last year was my first year gardening in Central Minnesota much less my particular garden site. However, this year I am growing fewer Better Boy plants than last year, and trialing a few more varieties; among my trial varieties is Brandy Boy. The weatherman is predicting a drier summer this year than last, and that will effect yield as well as flavor.

May 22, 2016	#1
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,919	Big Beef And The Boys There is already a thread going on Big Beef started by Hudson. The subject of Big Beef Vs similar varieties come up. So in order not to clutter that thread and let it stay on track, I am starting this thread to exchange note on the following: == BIG BEEF and the boys: == BETTER BOY == BIG BOY == BEST BOY Vladimir is growing all four of them and I am growing the top three, to make a comparison and pick maybe just 2 of them for the next season. If you happened to be growing any combination of those, please come in and let us exchange notes. Gardeneer

May 24, 2016	#13
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I looked close today and the Big Boy has no tomatoes or flowers yet, but the plant looks really good. I'm hoping it doesn't turn out to be a mule plant, but it's still early in the season. The Big Beef has tomatoes and flowers. Last edited by AlittleSalt; May 24, 2016 at 11:37 PM.

May 23, 2016	#5
MrBig46 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Czech republic Posts: 2,541	I will be watching this thread and I will try contribute their pictures and experiences with these varieties. Vladimír

May 23, 2016	#6
isuhunter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 140	I've got some big beef and Brandy Boy

May 24, 2016	#8
JaxRmrJmr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Jax, FL - 9A Posts: 172	I have one Cherokee Purple that is just dropping large tomatoes everyday. The next heaviest producer is Better Boy. Followed by Big Beef. My Big Beef aren't that big this year. All have been "good" and a heck of a lot better than you can buy in the store.

May 24, 2016	#11
budfaux Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Birmingham, ALABAMA Posts: 68	Count me in. I'm growing Big Beef and Better Boy this year that I started from seed. The plants are looking stout, and are virtually the same in size. Separating the Big Beef and Better Boy row is a row of Celebrity, which are holding their own in comparison. I'm hoping for a productive, taste testing fiesta from this patch. Nice thread Gardeneer.

May 25, 2016	#15
Captain Neon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Florence KY Posts: 234	I don't know if this is entirely fair since I started the Big Beef outside over two weeks before any Better Boys were in the ground, but my Big Beef did much better than any of the Better Boy plants that I grew last year. Better Boy made it back to the garden this year by sheer inertia. It has always produced good tomatoes every year that I have planted it, and I have moved around a lot so hesitate to stop growing such a reliable producer of good tasting tomatoes at least until I find a consistent performer for my area that outperforms Better Boy. I've never grown tomatoes more than two seasons in the same state. Last year was my first year gardening in Central Minnesota much less my particular garden site. However, this year I am growing fewer Better Boy plants than last year, and trialing a few more varieties; among my trial varieties is Brandy Boy. The weatherman is predicting a drier summer this year than last, and that will effect yield as well as flavor.