We wanted "large" tomatoes this year

[JerryHaskins]

I grow tomatoes in a bed that is 4 ft. X 24 ft. every year.

Most years I just buy a variety of plants from local stores (often Better Boy and several heat tolerant varieties), but lately I have been growing tomatoes from seed. I have tried several different varieties (including heirloom) and my tomatoes turn out about 3 inches in diameter---but delicious to eat.

This spring my wife said that she was tired of small tomatoes and wanted me to only plant varieties that yield large tomatoes: 1-slice sandwich size.

After some research, I bought some "Super Beefsteak" and some "Garden Leader Monster" seeds.

They did produce some large tomatoes, but many were around the 3-inch size. (Yeah, I rarely get around to removing suckers.)

Some of the largest tomatoes were seriously misshapen---looked like Grandpaw's face without his teeth in---impossible to peel.

But EVERY tomato had what I call "green cores". When you cut the green junk out, there is not much left to eat, and it makes a royal mess.

Research on the internet says that "green cores" can be caused (surprise, surprise) by incorrect and inconsistent watering, temperatures too high or too low, too much fertilizer, the variety of tomato, etc., etc.

My future tomatoes will definitely NOT be "Super Beefsteak" or "Garden Leader Monster".

[NarnianGarden]

Have you ever tried so-called black varieties? They often produce large, even mega sized beef steak style fruits, with juicy insides..
Black krim, Black from Tula and the whole Russian gang are really productive in many climate conditions.
That was my only gripe with Black Krim: tomatoes so large it was a hassle to support the truss!
But I enjoyed eating them.. (no green cardboard cores)

[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.

[JerryHaskins]

Originally Posted by NarnianGarden

Have you ever tried so-called black varieties? They often produce large, even mega sized beef steak style fruits, with juicy insides..
Black krim, Black from Tula and the whole Russian gang are really productive in many climate conditions.
That was my only gripe with Black Krim: tomatoes so large it was a hassle to support the truss!
But I enjoyed eating them.. (no green cardboard cores)

Thanks for the info!

"Too large" is a wonderful problem to have.

I grew some Black Krim last year (among several other heirloom varieties), but I lost track of what was what before they got ripe.

I may give them another shot next spring.

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.

[b54red]

Originally Posted by JerryHaskins

I grow tomatoes in a bed that is 4 ft. X 24 ft. every year.

Most years I just buy a variety of plants from local stores (often Better Boy and several heat tolerant varieties), but lately I have been growing tomatoes from seed. I have tried several different varieties (including heirloom) and my tomatoes turn out about 3 inches in diameter---but delicious to eat.

This spring my wife said that she was tired of small tomatoes and wanted me to only plant varieties that yield large tomatoes: 1-slice sandwich size.

After some research, I bought some "Super Beefsteak" and some "Garden Leader Monster" seeds.

They did produce some large tomatoes, but many were around the 3-inch size. (Yeah, I rarely get around to removing suckers.)

Some of the largest tomatoes were seriously misshapen---looked like Grandpaw's face without his teeth in---impossible to peel.

But EVERY tomato had what I call "green cores". When you cut the green junk out, there is not much left to eat, and it makes a royal mess.

Research on the internet says that "green cores" can be caused (surprise, surprise) by incorrect and inconsistent watering, temperatures too high or too low, too much fertilizer, the variety of tomato, etc., etc.

My future tomatoes will definitely NOT be "Super Beefsteak" or "Garden Leader Monster".

Since I am one state over I can give you a few varieties to try that will give you the larger fruits at least early in the season before it gets unbearably hot and even a few that can produce some monsters in the heat.

The first thing you will need to do is limit the number of stems so you don't overload the plants with fruit. I grow on single or double stem plants exclusively but I use a unique system of support which makes this work well for me. Since you are using only one bed then you could easily set yours up for this kind of support system. I'll try to post a few pictures to show you what I do.

These are varieties that give me the most large fruits that taste good. I will not include the ones I don't care for but if you want them I can send you a list of those two. They are mostly bland or mealy tomatoes that I didn't care for.

Brandywine Sudduth's
Brandywine Cowlick's
Limbaugh's Legacy
Giant Belgium
Gary O' Sena
JD's Special C Tex
Red Barn
Couilles de Taureau
Neves Azorean Red
Dester
KBX
Dr. Wyches Yellow
Virginia Sweet
Stump of the World

All the above varieties will give you large fruits and most will continue to produce well for a long time. Study the pictures and PM me if you have any questions about how to do it.

Bill

[JerryHaskins]

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.

Super! Thanks for the feedback!

That looks like some great information.

I irrigate to keep things happy, but it gets REALLY hot and sunny here. And the local wildlife thinks I plant a garden for them. I guess I do.

Some of those varieties don't seem to be available in my local area. We have lost all of our friendly family-owned seed and plant stores---they have been replaced with big box stores which are run by people from afar. (Don't get me started on that. They are still trying to sell corn and English pea seeds, and the daily temperature is running around 100 degrees Fahrenheit!)

I have ordered seeds on-line with good success. Looks like I will be doing it more now.

Take care.

[JerryHaskins]

Originally Posted by b54red

Since I am one state over I can give you a few varieties to try that will give you the larger fruits at least early in the season before it gets unbearably hot and even a few that can produce some monsters in the heat.

The first thing you will need to do is limit the number of stems so you don't overload the plants with fruit. I grow on single or double stem plants exclusively but I use a unique system of support which makes this work well for me. Since you are using only one bed then you could easily set yours up for this kind of support system. I'll try to post a few pictures to show you what I do.

These are varieties that give me the most large fruits that taste good. I will not include the ones I don't care for but if you want them I can send you a list of those two. They are mostly bland or mealy tomatoes that I didn't care for.

Brandywine Sudduth's
Brandywine Cowlick's
Limbaugh's Legacy
Giant Belgium
Gary O' Sena
JD's Special C Tex
Red Barn
Couilles de Taureau
Neves Azorean Red
Dester
KBX
Dr. Wyches Yellow
Virginia Sweet
Stump of the World

All the above varieties will give you large fruits and most will continue to produce well for a long time. Study the pictures and PM me if you have any questions about how to do it.

Bill

Great! Nice photos!

Do any of the tomatoes in your list have the awful green cores? That has been my greatest annoyance (other than fairly small tomatoes that were supposed to be giant.)

I have gotten a few large tomatoes, but not many, and most have had green cores. I think those photos in seed catalogs and on seed packages have been carefully chosen from among hundreds of rejected tomatoes.

Where do you get your seeds/plants?

Thanks again.

[kchd..]

Hey Jerry,
I can vouch for some of the varieties on Bill's list (I haven't grown all of them myself). Stump of the World and JD's Special C Tex have both produced big & delicious tomatoes for me here in Sturgis. I also like Great White. I grew it last year and again this year. In fact, I just enjoyed a Great White BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado & tomato) sandwich!

[Cole_Robbie]

To add to the varieties listed, these have made big tomatoes for me:
George Detsikas Italian Red
Giant Roo
any of the "Jazz" tomatoes

[clkeiper]

Sorry about the garden leaders tomato. generally "Garden leader" is a reliable label... but not this tomato. I grew it last year and it was a bust... nothing I would grow again. I was expecting something great with it last year, too.... but it was nothing! maybe it has to do with area maybe not... but go to a different color to try, too... if you are adventurous. "JD's Special From Central Tx" was a good sized and tasty tomato. One of my favorites. I try to grow it every year. Pink Berkley Tie Dye is a new one... dark green with brick red stripes and absolutely fabulous.

[b54red]

Originally Posted by JerryHaskins

Great! Nice photos!

Do any of the tomatoes in your list have the awful green cores? That has been my greatest annoyance (other than fairly small tomatoes that were supposed to be giant.)

I have gotten a few large tomatoes, but not many, and most have had green cores. I think those photos in seed catalogs and on seed packages have been carefully chosen from among hundreds of rejected tomatoes.

Where do you get your seeds/plants?

Thanks again.

None of them have those large green cores. The reason I listed them is because I grow them for flavor. I don't like fooling with lots of small tomatoes so most of the varieties I grow are generally large beefsteaks with what I think is excellent flavor and texture. Sorry I left an important tomato off the list called Donskoi which is the only heart that I still grow because of its good full flavor and juiciness. It can also produce tomatoes exceeding 2 lbs even in our heat.

I have purchased some seed, traded for others and saved most from my own plants. I do grow some that would be considered more medium size but not too many. If you start with a large variety by the end of the season they are usually medium. If you start with a medium by the end of the long season we have they are frequently cherries especially if you allow too many stems. Of the medium to large varieties my favorites are IS, ISPL, Pruden's Purple, Arkansas Traveler, Spudakee, Barlow Jap, Berkeley Tie Dye Pink, Henderson's Winsal, Royal Hillbilly, Marianna's Peace and Delicious. I am also trying two new to me varieties this season Rebel Yell and Margaret Curtain. I don't try many new ones anymore unless recommended by someone who grows in similar hellish conditions. Many varieties that do great in the Midwest, West and North do very poorly here due to the heat and humidity but some do exceptionally well.

Bill

Bill

[Tracydr]

Originally Posted by JerryHaskins

Thanks for the info!

"Too large" is a wonderful problem to have.

I grew some Black Krim last year (among several other heirloom varieties), but I lost track of what was what before they got ripe.

I may give them another shot next spring.

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.

Have you thought of giving them to a church or listing on Craigslist?
I've sold hundreds on Craigslist for $2.00 apiece.
Now I take the extras to work and give them to my gardening veterans.

[dustdevil]

I have a short season, but these grew nice large tomatoes up here:

Black of Tula
Giant Belgium
JD's Special C Tex
KBX

[maxjohnson]

Should have grown Delicious.

[JerryHaskins]

Wow! You folks have given me lots of leads and restored my hope for next year!

I will definitely keep the suggestions and buy some of the varieties (if I can find them).

Tracydr, I always give excess vegetables to friends, family, and neighbors (and anybody else I can get to take them.) I have given some tomato plants away, too. But I am not much of a salesman; and I never have sold anything on eBay or Craig's List.

But your comments gave me an idea: I might offer them for free at our local farmer's market.

Thanks again, everybody!