I really appreciate all of the suggestions I received in the comments on my previous post about what new heirloom tomatoes to try. I really did take them into consideration and choose a number of them to try this year. It has been a really hard decision. Matron's comment said it best with her statement "There are just too many varieties to choose from!!"
Every year while it's cold outside, I like to plan the upcoming garden out on paper and choose what varieties to grow - almost like you would choose what players to have on your team. I want to assemble a championship team like those competing this weekend in The NFL conference championship playoffs. In the NFL they have a 53 man roster, so I should have 53 tomato varieties right? If only I had room for that many. I have narrowed down this year's tomato team to 35 varieties, so let me announce my starting lineup:
A football team consists of different player position groups; lineman, running backs, receivers, defensive backs etc. My tomato team is also arranged in different groups.
All of these are heirloom varieties except for six. The hybrids are designated with an (H) after their name.
First up are the early tomatoes. This is a big passion of mine so this group is heavily represented. They are:
Returning from last year,
The next group is your normal "Red" tomato category which is what has managed to stick around even with the wonderful other colors and flavors added. Also returning from last year:
The next position group is the Pink tomatoes:
The Orange tomatoes this year will be:
Black/Purple Tomatoes will be represented by:
Starting for the Yellow Tomatoes:
The Green (even when ripe) Tomatoes this year will be two returning favorites:
Small but powerful - The Cherry Tomatoes:
Finally, last and least - this year's White Tomato:
Wow, I'm exhausted now! There you have it - 35 tomato varieties. The re-cap:
I am also trying 11 kinds that I have never seen and listened to nine of you from my last post's comments. Thank you to everyone who made suggestions.
So, is 35 too many? Too few? How many different varieties are you going to try? Are you growing more than just red tomatoes? Heirlooms or Hybrids?
I can never get enough tomato talk!
That list is impressive. You are blessed to have the space and weather to permit such entries into the contest. I, on the other hand, have only 70-85 days with cool nights. Last year I gave some heirlooms a try, but it wasn't a good tomato year. Because they didn't perform well, I almost tossed them, but will give one plant each another go. My favorites for this region are Cosmonaut Volkov and Rutgers. They never fail to perform. Amish Paste, Super Marmande and Burbank are my new ones to try. Getting another chance are Cherokee Purple, Pruden's Purple, and Glacier. Is that enough?
Posted by: January 16, 2009 at 03:43 AM
In my world Tomatoes, like everything else, have to have a reason to exist and take my energy, time, and money. For me they must meet two criteria. First they MUST taste great. Other wise what's the point? Second they must be something the market wants (the market being first my family and second the folks at the local farmers market where we sell lots of produce. If no one want's them why should I bother growing them? Heirloom Tomatoes are a great philosophical position, but the good ones have already gone on to become the tomatoes we love. What are you going to do with the rest?
Posted by: January 16, 2009 at 04:39 AM
If I had the space I would grow that many or more.
The Japanese Black Trifele are pretty much pear shaped. I grew them last year, airy plant, smallish fruit and lots of them, Nice taste too.
Posted by: January 16, 2009 at 05:59 AM
That's a lot of tomatoes. I don't even have room for 35 plants. I'm lucky to grow 5 different kinds. I would grow 5-10 kinds if I had the room.
Posted by: January 16, 2009 at 07:22 AM
Hi, I'm new here but I wanted to tell you that yes, the japanese black trifele are absolutely pear shaped and totally delicious, too. That and the black krim were my favorites from last year (I grew 12 varieties)
Posted by: January 16, 2009 at 07:35 AM
I am jealous! I am in Western Australia and have 10 in this year. they are all doing well and are nearly ready to ripen. My all time favourite is tigerella- an heirloom- not sure if it is available over in the States. Tomato planning is so much fun- I am already starting to think about it for next year. My aim this year was to grow 10 varieties and then choose the best ones to grow again next year and add a couple of new ones in.
Good luck.
Posted by: January 16, 2009 at 08:43 AM
You're nuts.
In a good way.
In the past, we (read me, my wife is more sane) have gone overboard in our varierty selection. We're resurrecting our vegetable garden and I hope we will rein in our urges and stick with a several varieties and do them well. We'll use three of our 4- by 8-foot beds for tomatoes. That's 18 plants.
We will be adventurous and start some from seeds. We'll buy a few seedlings from a friendly backyard nursery man. You've got us thinking about what to plant.
Posted by: January 17, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Not too many, as long as you can pull it off space wise! I used to trial a lot of things in my 1/3 acre garden, but now that I have a smaller kitchen garden I have to be more selective.
Posted by: January 17, 2009 at 06:22 AM
Wow, I thought I planted a lot of different varieties.....you got me beat. In my fall garden (I live in North/Central Florida) I planted Early Girl, Black Krim, Red & Yellow Brandywine, Aunt Ruby's Green, Cherokee Purple, Black Sea Man, Grandaddy, and Orange-Strawberry. I actually just pulled the plants a two days ago. Our favorites? Black Krim, Early Girl, Black Sea Man, Red Brandywine.
I wasn't impressed with Aunt Ruby....maybe because I could never tell when they were ripe! LOL!
Posted by: January 17, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Wow that is quite the list can hardly wait to see your garden this summer.
Posted by: January 18, 2009 at 09:51 PM