Where's the picture???? We need pics of "Must Grow" tomatoes...LOL

Marcy

Carol,
The 1884 Pink Heart from him is setting fruit well and really looking forward to tasting it. I've heard a lot of good things about it also. I have already gave you the hint about what you might find some day in your mail box. I will be posting picture on photobucket later. Too early for me get many yet. The big ones are still 7-10 days away. 1884 Purple and Big Cheef will probably be my first big ones I will harvest. They are both still looking good. Gary O Sena was wilting tonight. Think the drip system over watered it. Like I said I'm going back to hand watering for the rest of the summer. May use the pvc drip system in the short beds some. Where I have the trouble is on the long 60-80 foot runs and my garden isn't perfectly level. I only have a few Royal Hillbillies set yet. Jay

No!

*la la la laaaaaaa*

I am not listening. You can not make me want another tomato. Nuh-uh.

Diane

Marcy, I almost didn't see your request for a picture until it was almost too late. This is near the top of the tomato and they best part got eaten. I didn't quiet get a full slice out of it and kind of botched up one side, but you get the idea.

Diane, You know you want it. It will go great in Missouri. I bought it at Baker Creek so it will even be convenient. LOL

Here is a link that might be useful:

That doesn't sound like a tomato problem to me. It sounds like a bread problem. ;)

Jo

Guess I have to make my own loaf then, because that was Braums Oat Bran. LOL

Where do you get seed for this? I have to try some now!

Carol,

When I first saw the subject and before I read the content of the message, I thought to myself "what's she talking about? there's nothing wrong with Royal Hillbilly". lol

I like Royal Hillbilly much better than the original Hillbilly, although I like the original Hillbilly too. I do always think of Darrell Merrell when I grow them. Mine didn't do well last year, and I dropped it off the grow list because Jay sent me so many new ones to try. Many of the ones he sent me are doing great and will make it into the permanent rotation based on only one year's 'trial'. Yippee!

Ezzirah, Seed of Royal Hillbilly is normally available from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (www.rareseeds.com) and also from Sandhill Preservation Center and Tomato Growers Supply Company. Many of us (especially Carol and I) get many, many, many of our seeds from Baker Creek. I also get a lot from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (www.southernexposure.com) because the varieties they carry do especially well in the south.

The catalogs from both those companies, as well as the catalog from Johnny's Selected Seed, are worth keeping forever because they're so full of useful info and gorgeous photos and illustrations.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Royal Hillbilly at Baker Creek

I love Baker Creek. They have a great selection. At their Spring Festival, they had all of the tomato seed packs on sale for $1...you can guess what happened! I'm pretty sure I ended up with some Royal Hillbilly seed. Now, I'm really excited to grow it--it looks delicious!

I love the Baker Creek Catalog and I hope I stay on the mailing list. I bought over 100 packs of seeds from Sep 09 to May 10, but none from the catalog. I was there three times, including one day of the Spring Festival.

I am growing one Royal Hillbilly from the tomato man this year. So far no ripe ones, but I do have a couple of monsters. After the glowing reviews, I'll be sure to save seeds!

Jo

Carol,

I don't buy from them every year (because some years I buy too many and don't need more the following year) but I still get a catalog every year. I bet they'll keep sending you a catalog.

I have a new catalog vying for the prize of 'most attractive'. It is from Botanical Interests. I've always loved their gorgeous seed packets and now, in their first catalog, they have the same kinds of illustrations that make the seed packets such works of art. Of course, I'm linking it below! You can look at their virtual catalog online or request a paper copy. I have a paper copy and the illustrations are so much more gorgeous on paper than on a computer.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Botanical Interests' Website

I have both of those catalogs on the way. The catalog from Johnny's select has been my "bible" this year, and I have about worn the pages thin looking at it and reading it. Who knew when I started all this seed catalogs could be so interesting?

Ezzirah,

Sign up to receive every seed and plant catalog you see, and you'll never run out of reading/browsing material in the long, cold winter months. Many a gardener survives winter by flippping through the catalogs, making lists of things they want (and you never need nearly as many seeds as you want) and dreaming of spring planting.

The first seed catalog I receive every year (I'm not counting fall bulb catalogs which begin arriving at my house in late May or early June) arrives in August and I'm always so excited to see it. Just the other day I was thinking that it will be coming soon and I'll get to see "what's new".

Seed catalogs and seed company websites are enormously educational, but you do have to know which ones are more honest and trustworthy, and which ones hype everything too much. Here on this forum, we pretty much don't mention the ones that hype everything they sell as being absolutely the best and better than all the rest. (We know such claims tend to be patently false.) So, if someone here recommends a favorite catalog, or 5 or 10, you know they're recommending companies they trust too, and that is important.

Dawn

I'm growing Royal Hillbilly this year after picking up the plant from Mr. Merrell's daughter. The tomatoes grew so large I was almost afraid to get near 'em.... almost...nibble, slurp, slurp. They do make some tasty BLT's.

I thought it was great that they were all so big, but was pleasantly surprised that they tasted so good.

Dawn -

I think I am addicted to seed catalogs, and I do plan on signing up for everyone I see! I love the pictures, too!

Not to highjack the thread ~

These maters' sound good! I plan on including them in the spring.

Ezzirah,
I wouldn't worry. I get many I've never bought from or signed up for. I lost count last year how many I received. Got my first one in the summer. Got it again along with a few others twice. If you are interested in growing potatoes sigh up for Ronniger's. A nice one with great information. Jay

Yeah, I got Ronniger's. I love it. All the info in that catalog! I missed out on potatoes for the fall, so I am going to definitely order for the spring. Territorial seed company puts out a nice big catalog as well.