Tomatoes you enjoy

20 years ago

Last fall, someone on the tomato forum started a thread about favorite tomatoes. I kept the list since I want to try some new varieties this year after a so-so tomato season last year. Since I didn't see a single person from Alabama responding on that forum, I thought I'd poll my friends here and see what some of your favorites are and why. I like a juicy, not mushy or watery, slightly acid tomato to eat, but since I'll eat tomatoes 3-4 times a day when they are in season, I'm obviously not too picky about my home-growns. I also can a few or make some sauce so I usually grow a paste-type tomato.

I always grow a few Better Boys, a cherry variety, and I have grown Burpee's Health Kick hybrid (plum type) the past few years for sauce & pizzas. This year I have the following contenders for honored space in our garden: Mortgage Lifter, Aunt Gertie's Gold, Lillian's Yello, Black Krim, Cherokee Purple, Amish Paste, Opalka, Rutgers, Earl's Faux (if I can find seed), Druzba (have only heard of this on the tomato forum) and Brandywine (red and yellow). I tried a yellow Brandywine last year, but put the plant out late and wasn't thrilled with the production, although the tomatoes were large and tasty.

Since I'm getting the urge to order seeds, I'd love to hear your favorites for our area and why - flavor, long-keeping, disease resistance, production, etc. If they are unusual varieties, I'd appreciate hearing your source of seeds or plants.

Elaine

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

tsmith2579
20 years ago
Well, a number of years ago I planted about 20 plants of original Homestead. This was the original, not the improved. We had tomatoes coming out our ears. We had a wind which blew them to the ground. They took root wherever they touched the soil. We canned enough tomatoes that summer to last 3 winters. They were absolutely delicious. The flavor was great. I haven't been able to obtain plants since that time. I do see seeds offered in catalogs. I can get the improved Homestead but they aren't the same.
jeff_al
20 years ago
i don't grow my own (too much shade) but i used to get this catalog and have ordered seeds from here. i remember they had a fairly good selection of heirloom tomatoes.

Here is a link that might be useful: the cook's garden
Related Professionals
Annapolis Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Columbus Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Petersburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Aurora Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · San Diego Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rapid City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mount Vernon Landscape Contractors · Asheville Landscape Contractors · Binghamton Landscape Contractors · Madison Landscape Contractors · Temecula Landscape Contractors · Logan Landscape Contractors · Florence Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Tacoma Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Amherstburg Stone, Pavers & Concrete
ouizer
20 years ago
My VERY FAVORITE tomato is the Marianna's Peace. It has a perfect tomato taste. I order my plants from The Tasteful Garden in Heflin, Alabama. Always very pleased with the plants. Try them, you will be gladed you did.
alabamajan
20 years ago
My very favorite slicing tomato by far is 'Brandywine'. It was created by the Amish. It is fabulous. And easy to grow from seed. (It's kinda hard to buy the plant around here)

One thing you have to remember about these things though is that when ripe they are a 'pinkish' color. Contrary to their name, they will not turn a 'brandy' nor a 'wine' nor a 'brandy-wine' color!! hehehe

Tsmith, I agree, I relaly liked the original Homestead when I tried them a few years ago. But have been unable to find them since then. And that 'improved' variety bites! hehe, and not in a good way.....I think that sometimes when they 'improve' a variety, what they really improve is the shape and color and lose taste in the process.
outsideplaying_gw
Original Author
20 years ago
I noted a Homestead in the Totally Tomatoes catalog. Do any of you know of it's the original vs the "improved"?
Thanks to those of you who told us your favorites. Anyone else have some in the must-grow column?
outsideplaying_gw
Original Author
20 years ago
I forgot to mention that I had also found Homesteads in the Tomato Growers Supply catalog. Their claim is their seeds are "original stock seed is from the USDA Seed Bank". Ya'll think this might be some of the old variety?
Elaine