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!