Tomatoes for 2023

[flowerbug]

Here Sweet 100 cracks like crazy, and then molds given our often damp climate. I quit growing them for that reason, and instead I try to source varieties that do not crack.

it can be a fine line between too thick of a skin that doesn't crack too easily and one that does and many people will at first want the thinner skin.

 

[ducks4you]

I think what 'cold conditions' might really mean is the variety can set fruit in *cooler* conditions that the average tomato requires. I'd be surprised if a tomato plant could produce when it's actually cold. I've tried some early planting trials with protective cover and extended exposure (planted directly in the garden) to cold temps in the 50's hardens the cell walls of the stems and they essentially cease to grow further.

I have Harvested romas after a frost before. Usually it's bc I miss some under the foliage.

 

[Growin-Stuff]

I am trialling early and cold tolerant tomatoes this year, and am a bit frustrated with descriptions such as 'sets fruit under cold conditions'-- because they never seem to indicate exactly what temperature they are referring to as 'cold'. Similarly, Sub-Arctic Plenty tomato plants can supposedly be grown close together, but they don't indicate the recommended spacing. If only the details were a little more specific.

A cold tolerate tomato is one that will grow, mature and set fruit at or below 55 degrees (F) the temperature that most tomatoes will drop their blossoms.
Both Polar Star and Polar Baby have been said to have been grown in unheated greenhouses in Iceland (Polar Baby producing better than Polar Star), the tomato Siberia is from the former Soviet Union and is said to set fruit down to 38 degrees (F).

 

[baymule]

A cold tolerate tomato is one that will grow, mature and set fruit at or below 55 degrees (F) the temperature that most tomatoes will drop their blossoms.
Both Polar Star and Polar Baby have been said to have been grown in unheated greenhouses in Iceland (Polar Baby producing better than Polar Star), the tomato Siberia is from the former Soviet Union and is said to set fruit down to 38 degrees (F).

Wow! That’s cold hardy!

 

[Growin-Stuff]

Wow! That’s cold hardy!

Cold tolerate not cold hardy.

 

[Branching Out]

Our weather is turning goofy on us again, with overnight lows of 13C(55F) combined with what will surely be record breaking daytime highs of 31-33C(88-91F) in the forecast. So instead of being able to put my cold-tolerant tomatoes out in the ground I am going to have to hold them either indoors or in the shady carport during the hot part of the day for 3-4 days, so that they don't dry out or drop all of their blossoms. Then once the heat has passed the night time temperatures will remain low for the foreseeable future, possibly down to 10C(50F) if I look two weeks out--so not exactly tomato planting weather. The life of a gardener is never dull.

 

[flowerbug]

... The life of a gardener is never dull.

true.

 

[ducks4you]

Cold tolerate not cold hardy.

I think you Meant to write "cold tolerant", but your Meaning was spot on!
You read about plants and livestock, "will tolerate....."
It Doesn't mean you should treat them like that.
It means they might NOT die under those conditions.
I learned by Fall gardening last year that MANY plants PREFER warm soil to sprout, even if harvesting after a snowfall is preferable.
The plants that I have direct seeded outside this year took a good MONTH to sprout!

 

[Growin-Stuff]

I think you Meant to write "cold tolerant", but your Meaning was spot on!
You read about plants and livestock, "will tolerate....."
It Doesn't mean you should treat them like that.
It means they might NOT die under those conditions.
I learned by Fall gardening last year that MANY plants PREFER warm soil to sprout, even if harvesting after a snowfall is preferable.
The plants that I have direct seeded outside this year took a good MONTH to sprout!

Yes, tolerant.
I need to start proofreading better.

 

[ducks4you]

My grape tomatoes are sprouting!!!
So are their garlic friends.
I seem to be behind on EVERYTHING!!!
I really need to start Romas and Cherries this week.
The Romas just sit there until they're ready and the Cherries are all for snacking.
I bought seeds for a cherry heirloom (sorry, still at DD's house, so I can't show the package) that is supposed to be a very old variety.
Seems like all of my volunteer cherries have bit the dust.

Tiny Tomatoes: 31 Cherry & Grape Tomato Varieties to Grow This Year

Welcome to the world of grape and cherry tomatoes. These fun-sized fruits come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors.

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