Jim's tomatoes are heavenly!

Jim41 said:I'm new to this site and have enjoyed reading through this post. Most of the discussion centered around cherry tomatoes of which I am not a big fan. I did have a Juliet given to me this year and found it to be more to my taste than any other that I've planted. I plant a lot of tomatoes but stick to two that I've found really work for me. They are Bella Rosa and Amelia. Of the hybrids I've tried these are the best producing and best tasting. I like the Bella Rosa because it makes a good size tomato in the top, where others get smaller as they move up the stalk. This spring and summer were so wet that we didn't make a bottom crop of tomatoes. We had one full week of sunshine and these two tomatoes loaded up and produced like crazy.

I have been buying seed from Totally Tomatoes for several years. I've only had one mix up in that time. They sent me a green striped tomato instead of the Chocolate tomato I ordered. They have been so reliable that I didn't even notify them of the error.

Welcome Jim to ATP and to the veggies forums!!!

I grow Juliet too and I have for years. I like it as I can always count on it to produce well for me. Also they are on the larger side for a grape tomato.

pirl said:Jim's tomatoes are heavenly!

Those look wonderful!

I had such high expectations for Sweet Ozark Orange but we have just not cared for it. It is a nice meaty tomato but the flavor is not to our liking. Since space is at a premium here I doubt I will try them again. I have about 12 medium size tomatoes left on it.

One Big Boy has produced well at the end here for us. There are 13-14 tomatoes on one plant but the other plant totally fizzled out. Again, whatever effected the plants from the get go this spring, they just never recovered. Even when replacing whole plants there seems to have been some residual effect in the soil. Will be adding garden soil & compost this fall.

Claudia, that is a shame about your tomatoes and I remember the problems from this spring. Next year will be better.

Claudia, sorry to here about your tomatoes. It is one thing to have a problem and know what it is but it's a double whammy when something pops up with no explanation. I live in NE Louisiana, in the middle of farming country, air planes spraying fields for who knows what, something changes in the garden and you don't know if it insect, soil or a drift.

Better luck next time.

Glad you enjoyed the tomatoes that I sent you, pirl

Claudia, sorry to hear about the issues you've fought all year. I can relate ... it's been a tough year here too. Just trying to grow veggies (especially tomatoes) in this climate has been a real challenge. Hopefully next year will be much better for you. Here's hoping we all have better times ahead.

You're the best, Jim, and so are your tomatoes.

I picked 4 Big Boys and one Sweet Ozark Orange this morning. Still more left to pick. So looks like we will have tomatoes thru the end of September anyway!

Can't beat that for Indiana weather! good for you, Claudia.

Claudia said:I picked 4 Big Boys and one Sweet Ozark Orange this morning. Still more left to pick. So looks like we will have tomatoes thru the end of September anyway!

I always want tomatoes thru the end of September at least. By October though pickins are getting somewhat slim.

I tried a new to me variety called Supersonic this year that just blew up with production. Tons of really nice, average sized slicers. Fairly early too...beating out Early Girl by over 2 weeks.

robertduval14 said:I tried a new to me variety called Supersonic this year that just blew up with production. Tons of really nice, average sized slicers. Fairly early too...beating out Early Girl by over 2 weeks.

Sounds great. I have found that Early Girl is not that all fire early here but it is great at pumping out those perfect tomatoes once it does start.

Personally, I find Early Girl a touch bland.

robertduval14 said:Personally, I find Early Girl a touch bland.

I like it. Not the best tasting tomato in my garden but perfectly acceptable.

Totally agree, Rita. Early Girl is one of my favorites. But I don't care for sweet tomatoes ... I think that's why I like the EG so much.

p1mkw said:
Totally agree, Rita. Early Girl is one of my favorites. But I don't care for sweet tomatoes ... I think that's why I like the EG so much.

I do like sweet tomatoes but not only sweet tomatoes. The taste of Early Girl is fine by me. And it is such a good one to grow, always a crop of perfect tomatoes coming along. Never any cracking or splitting. I hate it when a tomato cracks or splits.

I'm not sure if these tomatoes are considered hybrids - Blue berries tomato from Baker Creek

These were cute little tomatoes to grow; their unripe purple color was very cheerful and their ripe pink/black color was pretty in salads and pico de gallo.
They have kind of a bland flavor, not overly sweet, not overly acidic. They were tasty enough that I'm growing them again just for the fun variety. They were a little prone to splitting, so I was sure to pick them the day after it rained.

ReesaAnne said:I'm not sure if these tomatoes are considered hybrids - Blue berries tomato from Baker Creek

These were cute little tomatoes to grow; their unripe purple color was very cheerful and their ripe pink/black color was pretty in salads and pico de gallo.
They have kind of a bland flavor, not overly sweet, not overly acidic. They were tasty enough that I'm growing them again just for the fun variety. They were a little prone to splitting, so I was sure to pick them the day after it rained.

• Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Blue Berries')
• Uploaded by ReesaAnne

I see why they are called Blue Berries, they do look like berries instead of cherry tomatoes! I really like the picture of them in the bowl. They look so unusual. Very pretty.

I'm planning my tomatoes for next season, and I only have room for 4.

We love sweet tomatos (and cherry tomatoes) so I'm planning to grow the blue berries again, along with 1 red cherry and 1 yellow cherry (maybe Sun Sugar or yellow pear and black cherry?)
For my last tomato, I want something I can make tomato sauce with, and resistance to early blight would be a bonus as I think we have it in our garden. I'm not planning to make a TON of sauce, just a few dishes worth in the summer, and freezing some for winter. I like sweeter tomato varieties. Maybe Plum Regal? I was also considering Black Icicle Tomato (heirloom) though I don't think those have any resistance.