What's your favorite tomatoe?

[GrowsLotsaPeppers]

With you being in SF Bay I would think that you would have some sun issues right? Like a lot of fog and more of a cooler summer? So I would definately go with a short season or alpine one.

How about Bloody Butcher? I never had it although I am growing it this year. but is supposed to be way more flavorfull than early girl.

Well, there's a difference. SF has some sun issues, and cooler weather. So does the Peninsula, and some of Marin. But over in the East Bay, it's warmer and sunnier. And over the first range of (hills here, mountains elsewhere), the weather warms more, and the fog hangs out less, and the growing is limited more by the available land and water than the weather.

We grow early, and all year long. We took out our last tomatoes and peppers the week of Thanksgiving last year. If I'm taking chances, tomatoes can go in as early as late March, peppers a little later. We often have ten or more varieties of tomatoes planted, and share with the community. Wish we had more garden space. Nice that one of the sons does, although his is a rented home...

For the OP: I can't pick one variety. We need salad tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, slicers, saucers, reliable eating tomatoes, and ones that are heirlooms. Buy from the best sources, good garden centers and club sales, and you'll do just fine. Prepare the soil well, and the rest is easy.

 

[HiDelight]

other than my mandatory San Marzano's for red sauce and salsa as well ..

I try new tomatoes every year and sometimes just do one color a year
all yellow ..all red ...all black ..all orange ...this year I am going to try for a roaster and half ultra sweet tomatoes ..and half as sour as possible tomatoes ..I have not choosen yet however still researching

 

[ninnymary]

With you being in SF Bay I would think that you would have some sun issues right? Like a lot of fog and more of a cooler summer? So I would definately go with a short season or alpine one.

How about Bloody Butcher? I never had it although I am growing it this year. but is supposed to be way more flavorfull than early girl.

Well, there's a difference. SF has some sun issues, and cooler weather. So does the Peninsula, and some of Marin. But over in the East Bay, it's warmer and sunnier. And over the first range of (hills here, mountains elsewhere), the weather warms more, and the fog hangs out less, and the growing is limited more by the available land and water than the weather.

I actually live in Alameda which is by the water. I do have cool summers with some fog. September and October are alittle bit warmer. We call these our indian summer. Yet I am able to start my tomatoes early and seem to do o.k. except for last year. I don't know what happen then. I did switch to heirlooms but I don't know if it was that or weather. I think it had to be the weather.:/
mary

 

[seedcorn]

Most consistent tomato I use is Better Boy. Drought, cold, wet it always produces.

 

[GrowsLotsaPeppers]

With you being in SF Bay I would think that you would have some sun issues right? Like a lot of fog and more of a cooler summer? So I would definately go with a short season or alpine one.

How about Bloody Butcher? I never had it although I am growing it this year. but is supposed to be way more flavorfull than early girl.

Well, there's a difference. SF has some sun issues, and cooler weather. So does the Peninsula, and some of Marin. But over in the East Bay, it's warmer and sunnier. And over the first range of (hills here, mountains elsewhere), the weather warms more, and the fog hangs out less, and the growing is limited more by the available land and water than the weather.

I actually live in Alameda which is by the water. I do have cool summers with some fog. September and October are alittle bit warmer. We call these our indian summer. Yet I am able to start my tomatoes early and seem to do o.k. except for last year. I don't know what happen then. I did switch to heirlooms but I don't know if it was that or weather. I think it had to be the weather.:/
mary

Last year, everybody had challenges with tomatoes. Late cool weather, and rains that came late, screwed up a lot of plans. We were maybe 5 weeks late in planting, and paid for the cool days in reduced yields, too. This year, early. There should be water.

BTW, I was born in Alameda.

 

[wifezilla]

I made a redneck wall-o-water out of 2 liter soda bottles filled with water. Despite all the horrible weather mine did OK. Since Colorado isn't known for growing good tomatoes, OK worked for me

I also planted a sweet 100 plant in apparently just the right spot. Those grew great. I am putting more tomatoes near that area this year.

This time I have roma, climbing tomatoes, spoon tomatoes, and black cherry tomatoes.

 

[obsessed]

Even though I have a ton of seedlings (Lime Green, Tigerella, Kimberly, Bloody Butcher) I picked up a six pack of Creole tomaots at the nursery yesterday. they are supposed to do well with the heat of the south. Any reviews?

 

[elijahboy]

what does the wall of water do for the tomato plants? i love peoples secret tips
the one i will try is placing 3 eggs under every tomato plant

I made a redneck wall-o-water out of 2 liter soda bottles filled with water. Despite all the horrible weather mine did OK. Since Colorado isn't known for growing good tomatoes, OK worked for me

I also planted a sweet 100 plant in apparently just the right spot. Those grew great. I am putting more tomatoes near that area this year.

This time I have roma, climbing tomatoes, spoon tomatoes, and black cherry tomatoes.

 

[digitS']

Walls of Water are supposed to retain heat overnight better than just putting a bottomless milk jug over the plant or wrapping a tomato cage with plastic, Elijah.

Even though I have a ton of seedlings (Lime Green, Tigerella, Kimberly, Bloody Butcher) I picked up a six pack of Creole tomaots at the nursery yesterday. they are supposed to do well with the heat of the south. Any reviews?

Obsessed, I can't comment directly on Creole tomatoes but you owe it to yourself to try these local favorites. I grow Bloody Butchers every year - it is my earliest tomato and I appreciate the little guys' full flavor here, where I can't give tomatoes a very long season to ripen.

I'll try Tigerella for the first time this year. They are supposed to do real well in the higher elevations of New Mexico and this place is a lot like Albuquerque, with less heat and more clouds. And, Kimberly was developed by a guy in the mountains of British Columbia. Hey, that's right next door!

But . . . Obsessed, you no longer live in Montana. I realize that you may have gone into something of a depression once you became aware of that . But, southern Louisiana has it's attractions. A tomato plant that can actually live longer than 90 days outdoors just has to be one of them.

Steve

 

[journey11]

what does the wall of water do for the tomato plants? i love peoples secret tips
the one i will try is placing 3 eggs under every tomato plant

I'd never heard that one before! If nothing else, maybe it would stink bad enough to deter the deer!