Black Cherry seed is available from many vendors but I usually order my seed from Tomato Growers Supply Company for a sentimental reason---the late Vince Sapp, who co-owned the company with his wife, Linda, first introduced the Black Cherry tomato. So, even though it is available from many places, I tend to order it from them.

I've linked Tomato Growers Supply Company's black tomato page for you below so you can see the images not just of Black Cherry but also of other black tomatoes as well.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Growers Supply Company

Good thing there is a picture on line because they are gone as quickly as they are ripe at my house, so no time for a picture. We think they are wonderful. I think I am growing five of the blacks listed on that page Dawn linked, but have only tasted two so far. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would have to rate Black Cherry a 10, and Black Krim about a 6 or 7. It's not bad, but doesn't come close to Black Cherry.

farmgardener - Black Cherry is a little larger than most cherry tomatoes and has depth of flavor that is hard to describe. It seems to be producing quite well for me this year. It is open pollinated and is available at lot of places. I bought one pack this year from Baker Creek, but I see they are currently out of stock. I think you will love it.

Here is a link that might be useful: rareseeds.com

I have 4 plants of black cherry and they have produced about 10 pints so far this year total. (5 pints packed for market in the morning.)

They are not as productive as most of the other cherry and grapes I have, but they are larger than almost all the others. Sungold is amazing, by the way. I am sick of Sweet Million.

Farmgardener,
If all goes well I'll be saving seed and should have some extra this fall. I have fruit set now just haven't picked any yet. I also have several other cherry types. Will be saving seeds of all I like. I'm growing Sungold Select OP which is a stabilized version of Sungold that many like. Apfelsin is another that is setting well that I have heard reviews about.It is orange. I don't bag blooms but have never had trouble with cross pollination. Jay

Same as Carol here. My kids FIGHT to get out to the black cherry, chocolate cherry, and sun gold every stinking day. Holy cow, it's crazy. I've managed to beat them twice so far by quietly sneaking out before them and then I even lied, saying the chickens must have eaten them that day. :-D

Really, really stinking good.... I'm thinking about divorcing hubby and marrying Mr. Black Cherry. Or at least holing up in a ratty hotel room (with southern exposure) with him for the summer.

Diane

Diane, you really are weird!!! I am sure that you have caused a lot of eyes to roll. LOL

I also love Sungold but find that it needs to be picked a day before it is totally ripe or it may split. Also, if you wait until it is ripe it may fall from the plant before you can pick it. It seems to let go very easily.

Jay, would you save me a tomato or two so I can try the open pollinated one, please.

As if we hadn't had enough tomatoes today, we had them again tonight. I made a really good Quiche with green chiles, and two types of cheese. Just before it was finished, I covered the top with french fried onions and crisply cooked bacon pieces and let them cook a few minutes. All it needed was fresh things from the garden to make a meal. It was so good!

Carol, you're not telling me anything I don't already hear daily from hubby and the kids. LOL

Sungold hasn't split or dropped on us yet but maybe it's because we're all fighting to pick it every 30 seconds so it doesn't get the chance.

Diane

My Sungold, Sugary, Grapette, and Lg Red Cherry don't split so far. Sweet Million and Juliet split just a little. Black Cherry and Sprite are my worst, but some are in different beds with different soils so it's hard to compare acturately.

That's odd Scot. I haven't had a problem with Sungold spliting until this year, so it must be a difference in growing conditions. I don't think I have ever had a Black Cherry split. I only grew Sprite one year and you needed an axe to split it. Ha That is an exageration, but it had the toughest skin of any tomato I have ever grown. It was a 'spitter' for me.

I had never heard of so many types of tomatoe's until I found this forum. Thanks to all you enablers, I'm growing about 12 different ones this year!!!

I got my Black Cherry seeds from Baker's Creek too. Most of my Peppers came from Totally Tomatoes as well as other tomatoes. I saved half the pack of seeds of everything so I'll have those to start next year.

We picked our first two Black Cherry's the other nite out in the garden. They never made it to the house. We couldn't wait.

This one is definitely on our "permanent" list. I think the Cherokee Purple will be also. I'm going to have to try this "Sungold". Hmmm....wonder if Boomer_Sooner is growing it? If so, I could be a 'Tomatoe Burglar" and try one!

Paula

Farmgardener, it's a pity that I'm laid up under "absolutely no digging or hoeing orders," for a month. I have some Black Cherry volunteers I could have given you!

Incidentally, Dawn, until this morning the only way I could get out of bed was by using my brand new Lee Valley Collinear Hoe for support. I had Jerreth get it out of the shipping box and bring it to me. I could only walk/shuffle with the help of THAT hoe! (that's our joke, here).

See Diane, you're not the only one with "strange thot patterns."

George
Tahlequah, OK

George - you made me laugh out loud! You and your new Hoe shuffling around there while poor Jerreth is out tending to the chores! Shameless, I say!!!

(I'm still laughing!) Glad to see your sense of humor is still intact while the rest of you is on the mend! Maybe Lee Valley has a new marketing strategy?! What a multi-purpose tool!

Paula

George,
Glad to see you on the internet and that you are getting up and around. Praying you heal fast and making good use of the new hoe.

It is odd for me to see so many of you where it does rain say Sungold doesn't split for you. It split bad here for me. And I know it has for others. I tried to limit water to it to control it. Also in my deep sand water usually drains very well unless I go off and leave a hose running. I always planted it on the end of a row and just hand watered it. The last time I grew it was a wetter year. Which means it has been at least 4 years. Started plants this year but they were in the fiasco and I never planted any.

Carol do you want tomatoes or seeds or both? I have never shipped tomatoes but know some who have so could try sending a few. Anything for an addict. LOL. Didn't realize I hadn't sent Paula a bunch of tomato seeds. She will be on the list this year. Hate to say a lot yet but I do have several new ones that look promising this year. Seem to be doing good here. And a new green when ripe beefsteak that if it tastes good and sets well I'll be saving seeds from. A vigorous grower so far. Jay

I grew Sungold, here, last year; and it split terribly.

Jay, when I ship tomato plants, I wrap the roots in wet paper towels, and then in sandwich bags. Normally I arrange them in a priority mail box, available at the Post Office. They cannot be real large for this. But, so far, I've never had a flop.

George

George,
Thanks for the advice. I might try shipping plants. I have thought about it. I was joking with Carol about shipping the Sungold OP fruits( along with 7-8 other varieties I haven't mentioned to her) and might yet. If they all start ripening at the same time I will have oodles and being I've never dehydrated like Dawn(although I'm thinking of trying it on a small scale)the cherries may end up like extra squash. Every open car window will be subject to a bag being left. Imagine if I do the farmer's market I will take them there for everyone to snack on. Jay

George, tee hee, I've heard of a scuffle hoe (have one in fact) but not a shuffle hoe!! Hope to find you shuffling around on the forum, too!

I think my Black Cherry will be ready to put in a big pot next week. I bought a new drill bit for my drill that puts a much bigger hole in the pots, so drilled a few holes yesterday getting ready to pot up a few for fall production. Got my potting soil ingredients ready, got some more Tomato Tone and Bloom Tone, so am ready to go.

Good luck with your Black Cherries - but sounds like no one needs it! Can't wait to taste this one. But for the first time ever, I'm tasting a lot of new ones this year.

Susan

Jay, I didn't say that very well did I? No, I don't want the tomato, but would appreciate a few seed of the OP Sungold type tomato. Actually my cabinet is covered with tomatoes right now, and I'm not sure how, because we are eating them for every meal and snacking in between. I visited my container plants this morning (without a bowl)and came back with all I could carry. I picked a few in the garden but decided to leave some blushing ones until tomorrow. They are a little more protected back there.

Al wanted to take the jet skiis out today which surprised me since we usually stay away from the water on holidays. It is much quiter and safer when the tourist go home. He got my ski ready to go, but had a little trouble with his, so they aren't quite ready for the water. He told me we could take the boat out but I think the rain should be here anytime now, so I think not. We only have one party over the weekend so no big celebrations here. Of course, there are fireworks everynight here, if anyone wants to go. In fact, I always get tired of hearing the fircrackers which usually go on for a couple of weeks. They started several nights ago, and I can hear them now as I am typing.

Susan, I probably just pick a dozen or so a day from the Black Cherry plants, but they are wonderful. I think you will really like them. Ten years ago, I had never tasted a cherry tomato that I liked, and now Sungold and Black Cherry are my two favorite tastes. Sungold has almost a fruit taste, and Black Cherry just seems to have depth of flavor, so they are totally different. I also like Ildi, and the little currant tomato called Tess's Land Race. The other cheeries I have taste a little too much like the vine smells for me to like them.

Carol,

You and I have the same taste in cherry tomatoes. Black Cherry, Ildi, Tess's (as you well know) and SunGold are on my grow list every year. I usually grow Sweet Million because of its high production, and have planted many other bite-sized types this year, but mostly use the others for drying. To me, any small tomato tastes fine when dried, but the ones I want to eat fresh are the ones I mentioned above.

We avoid the lake around holidays too. We made the 'mistake'(too hot and too crowded) of going to Lake Murray our first year here...our family and my sister and her kids. We packed a picnic lunch and lots of cold drinks and had a great time. The kids were in the water from about 10 a.m. to about 5 p.m. and then decided they were completely exhausted, and totally sunburned (we kept putting sunscreen on them but the lake kept washing it off), and wanted to go home. So, after enduring HUGE crowds of people at the lake all day long, we left just as even larger crowds were arriving for the fireworks, which we missed seeing since we came home early. We've avoided the big lake crowds since then. (Live and learn.) We actually can see at least 4 fireworks displays from our house (Lake Murray's, the Winstar Casino's, Falconhead's, and one from the general direction of Lindsey, TX), or at least from a friend's house about a quarter mile up the road (they are on slightly higher ground since we're down in a creek hollow). We generally stay home on the fourth and just eat and watch some patriotic TV special. If it is a nice day, we're likely to be mowing the grass, though not this year since it is rainy. Lots of our neighbors set off fireworks for the kids and grandkids, so we can watch a lot just from the yard. They all start so early....days and days ago....that I'm tired of the fireworks before the Fourth even arrives.

Dawn

Dawn, We were invited to two parties, but one was out of town and we didn't want to drive back on Saturday night. The other one is here in Grove, and they do a party for every 4th. Sometimes they also do another for Christmas. They have a huge crowd and they furnish 'hamburgers and hotdogs' and the rest of us take a dish to share. I say hamburgers and hotdogs, but last time it was Angus burgers and bratwurst, and they cooked a ton of it. They live up on a hill above the golf course and have a huge home, but we also spend a lot of time outdoors and I'm not sure the weather is going to allow that this time. They belong to a classic car club so a lot of the crowd is from there. The club does a Christmas thing every year for children, so we are starting it off by taking a toy to the 'Christmas in July' party. It helps them get started with their toy collection early.

Dawn, I know I asked this before, but I don't think I saw the answer. Do you just dry the cherry tomatoes whole? How long does it take them to dry?

This is my first season with Ildi and it doesn't look like the loaded down plant that I have seen pictures of, but it has a nice mellow taste. I don't mean bland at all, just mellow. It is to the tomato class like a banana is to the fruit class. I do have several plants that have heavy, heavy production, but so far Ildi isn't one of them.

I just love this group - you are all so nice to answer questions and share opinions and even seeds. I do plant the Sungold which is THE favorite tomato with all of my family - they rarely last long enough to wash off even if they make it to the house and I also plant the Black Krim. The Sungold does occasionally split on me and the vines often look spindly and don't last long but I plant them every year and just plant some extras for Fall. Jay, I would love to purchase just a few Black Cherry seeds from you next year - I order most of my seeds from Totally Tomatoes - and they don't have it - please add me to your list of "wanters". I'm also going to try drying the cherry tomatoes - they sound wonderful. I planted the red Tumbler this year and while they are fantastic with production and a nice size I'm not terribly impressed with the flavor. Thanks again for all the comments - really appreciate you all.
Glenda

Remy's Sample Seed Shop has Black Cherry seeds. There are a lot of other interesting varieties in the shop, too.
I was really happy with my order from her.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sample Seed Shop

Farmgardener,
I will do. I don't charge for my seeds. Although I've bought several through the years many of mine have been gave to me. Like some I received this spring from a grower in Canada whose wife passed away this spring. A great couple. He told me I didn't owe him nothing just to do as he said " pay it forward by sharing some of the seeds I saved with others." If I desired. I had also sent them seeds for their private seed bank in the past. That way varieties never go extinct. If I was ever to start doing it as a business then yes I would. Until then it is my pleasure to share seeds with anyone that requests them. I have BC growing is at least two spots so hopefully will get plenty of seeds. Most growers don't need lots of seeds. And many growers don't save seeds for whatever reason. For me it is something I've been dabbling in the last few years. Trying to perfect a method that will work well for me. Jay

My Sungold plants are huge. I have a mockingbird nest in one of them ( 3 babies, 5 days old) and I have to have one of my kids guard my backside when I am picking them. We'll find out tomorrow how much splitting I will get from the rain.

Today when I got home I ran out to pick the Sweet Millions because I had not picked them in 5 days and we had already got half an inch. They were splitting and falling all over the place. The grapettes next to them were not splitting yet.

My three Sungold have yielded about 23 pints fo far. Four Black Cherry plants have yielded 11. Three Sweet Million plants have yielded enough to feed China for a week.

Scott - you absolutely crack me up. I can almost hear a drum like in the old Johnny Carson shows (da-drum...DUM) when a punch line was delivered in a straight tone.

I started about 10 BC's this year. I got so excited that I shared my seedlings with any close friend or family member that wanted to try them. (This is the 1st year I've successfully started my own tomatoe & pepper plants!) Sadly, when I went to plant...I only had one left! Thank Heaven that one lived...we've harvest 3...which was more than enough that I know I WON'T be sharing any I start next year! DH shamelessly ate the 3rd one in front of me this evening after I did the picking.

Jay - if you have enough of the Sungold when all is done, I'd really like to have just a few seeds, please? I've still got some BC. If not, I'm sure I'll find some in a catalog come January...but "shared" seeds just seem to be blessed. The only okra that I have growing healthy is from seeds I received in last fall's swap. I also used your bleaching method this year and I've NEVER had plants that are this healthy! I bow down to you, O' Tomatoe King!

Paula

Paula,
Unless Mother Nature intervenes I will have plenty. Just remind me later as my Old Timers memory has a hard time remembering more than one name. And if I wrote them down now I would misplace the list. LOL. I have several fruit on the plant now. Should start turning soon. May have to watch the birds. They seem to be watching my maters close. Maybe if we can get some more rain it will green up and they will have other things to peck on. The Pink Girl I had in my BLT yesterday had a little peck in it. Why I picked it and let it ripen indoors. Guess ever the birds decided to wait a few days.

Paula I believe in the bleaching method. On my own seeds I do them when I save them. I think it might be more important where you trade and obtain seeds from so many sources like I do. Jay

Jay, can you refresh my memory concerning why you bleach the seeds? Do you bleach seeds you receive from other sources as well, or do you try to find out if the source's seeds have been treated before they are sent to you?

Can you also remind how you do it? If not, I can look on the Internet to find the method(s) or perhaps it is on our FAQs?

Thanks so very much,

Susan

Susan,
I bleach to kill or at least help with control of seed born diseases that are attached to the outside. This doesn't kill anything that would be inside the seed itself. I treat all seeds usually except those that I save myself. I bleach treat my seeds when I save them. I haven't decided if I will bleach treat the pepper seeds I received from NMSU next year. Most research universities use good seed treatment methods. In fact it was a couple of them that suggested I treat all seeds where I trade and obtain seeds from so many sources. So many of the op/heirloom sources out source the growing of at least part of their seeds to other growers. Like one extension horticulturalist explained to me. Many times the climate conditions aren't right in a growers garden for a disease to grow or become a problem. So in a way it is suppressed. Like some human diseases. But when grown in your soil and climate if the conditions are right you will see the disease. Most of the time the original grower has no idea there is a disease issue. That is why many horticulturalists feel that the saving and trading of seeds can lead to the transmittal and spread of diseases. That is why after the trouble I've experienced the last 3 years where I had no issues before has led me to cover as many of the bases as I can. I think many factors have led to my problems. Not just the seeds. And the reason why I spray all my cages with Clorox. May not be necessary but doesn't hurt.

I use either a 1 part clorox(plain) to 3 parts water or 4 parts water. Haven't seen any reduction in seed germination with either strength. I soak usually 3-5 minutes. 3 should be enough. Then rinse well before planting the seeds. When saving seeds I soak in Oxiclean and then rinse well and then soak in Clorox and rinse well again then put them on a paper towel in a plate to dry. I did ferment one bunch last year and then soaked them before drying them. Fermentation can get smelly and takes more time than the method I use.

I also used a Clorox seed treatment this year to get germination on a hard to germinate variety. It was the only method where I achieved any germination at all. 2 out of ten. I have both plants growing now. Hoping to get fruit and save fresh seeds. I would have to look at the strength I used for it. With it you rinse the seeds well and plant after rinsing. Your simple question turned into a novel for an answer. These are just opinions formed from my experiences and the advice of sources I trust. I don't tell anyone they have to use this treatment. Because they don't. Won't guarantee it will help. Will say it is cheap insurance and can't hurt if done right. Jay

I hate to bring old threads back off of page 2, but after the rains (4 inches) this week I can provide the following updated information:

Sprite - all split (but in heavy soil and I don't water)
Black Cherry - bad splitting
Sweet Million - fair splitting
Juliet - fair splitting (but mostly my fault for poor care)
Sungold - little splitting
Grapette - no splitting

Also, my baby mockingbirds fledged 3 days ago from my Sungold plant , but I don't think they survived because the birds are starting a new nest in my Big Zac plant.

Glad you brought it back up. This is such a good thread, it would be a shame to let it go so soon.

Basically everything in my garden is running late this year. Black Cherry now has green, full sized fruit. My volunteers are about the same. I'm kind of excited to have Black Cherry volunteering in part of the lawn, out by our driveway.

Last year I grew Guernsey Pink Blush, which is a larger cherry. It did well for me. But I really didn't care for the flavor.

Jerreth, working at Walmart, brings home loads of cardboard for the garden. So, even now, with my restrictions, though I'm not to hoe, I can carry a sheet or two at a time and lay them on spots in the garden. Our hope is to get "caught up" on the garden this year, and hit the ground running next spring.

The kids have basically grown and left home and we are starting to think of ways to streamline. Lee Valley Tools figures into this, somewhat. For example, my Japanese Draw hoe makes VERY fast work of weed removal, especially when the soil is moist. I have high hopes for the collinear hoe. We're also thinking of purchasing a cart to go behind our lawn tractor. This will help with many chores which currently depend upon a wheel barrow. But it can be hard work, moving manure from the barn to the manure pile, one wheel barrow load at a time. There's no way we could afford a regular tractor and implements.

Okay, enough rambling!

Jay, maybe Sungold LIKES wet conditions!

George

After almost 2" of rain over the past couple of days, none of my cherries (Peacevine, Miragold, Black Cherry, Chocolate Cherry, Sungold, Sun Cherry, and whatever else I can't think of) have split at all. Just a couple of large slicers.

Diane

George I find it odd that some in this thread don't seem to have problems with it splitting and then many of us do. If it was just me having problems I would tend to agree with you. As I'm sure you know I visit a few other forums and one tomato chat site frequented by many severe addicts. And some of the best growers and breeders. I know many of them from many areas have stated the same problem. In fact this thread is one of the first where growers have stated they haven't had problems with Sungold splitting. Makes you wonder. It is like why celery grows well here for me? I don't know but sure glad it does. I have lots of different cherry types close to turning. The only cherry type I've picked yet is an unknown cross. My source of Texas Star seeds sent me some seeds a few years ago and said some could be crossed. Well they are a large cherry with the texas star on the bottom. Will pick another handful today. They have a good taste. I know they are a cross so not sure I will save seeds. But sure glad I have them to snack on now. I tried to grow Black Cherry last year and it died. I had a Black Cherry cross that never split. This year if all goes well the next few weeks I will get to taste some. So it will be a few weeks before I can say if I have splitting issues with it. And Sungold OP is the only Sungold type I'm growing. And many say it doesn't split as bad. Will see.

I have several push plows I have bought through the years at auctions. I have one that has bent blades that undercut the roots right under ground level. If used before weeds get too big works very well. I also got a hoe in a handful of pitch forks ect at an farm estate sale last fall. Had a homemade handle for sure. Several of the tools looked like they had been hand forged years ago although I don't think this one was. I never tried it till last week. It works great. Have never seen one just like this. The closest thing on an online search is a forester's hoe. The blade is 4-6 inches wide I'm guessing. Will measure it. And around 6-8 inches long with a curve. Has a very sharp edge on it. And a long handle. With no bending and no real hard swings you can cut through and remove big Kochia and other weeds and grasses. My thought when I bought it was I would probably never use it. Now it is a favorite after last weekend. Jay

Until this year I only knew that there were big tomatoes and little ones. Now after reading your posts I have learned that there are real experts out there....people who grow hundreds of different varieties and know something about gardening. My thanks to each of you. I am learning lots of interesting things. My hat is off to each of you.

Jay, It must be weather conditions because this is the first year I have had trouble with Sungold splitting.

And, so much for our thoughts on birds being thirsty. I live near the lake so there is always water and I rarely have a pecking problem. In addition, I try to pick before they are totally ripe. Today there is a lot of water in a lot of places because everyones birdbath has been filled by the rain. I had two tomatoes bird pecked this morning and I know thirst wasn't the problem. I need to go pick more, I guess, so they don't get them before I do. I have to yell uncle today and process a few into picante sauce, because even eating them every meal, snacking in between, and sharing with my best friend, they have gotten ahead of me. After this week though, I think they will be slower for awhile. That heat seemed to interfer with fruit set a little on some. On the other hand, the peppers seem about ready to hit a big production time.

From the looks of my tomato vines, I had better process what I can, because this crazy weather has done a job on my tomato plants this year.

carefull, docjoc....it's addicting...in the best way! I was like you 2 years ago...until this forum became my favorite reading past-time. Now at work, I'm jokingly called the "Tomatoe Whisperer"....and what I know could fit in a thimble compared to Jay & Dawn.

Seriously, you gotta try these Black Cherry tomatoes...

George, Ever since you discovered Lee Valley Tools, I've been thinking that if it is a publicly traded company, I should buy stock in it because you're giving them such good PR (and they deserve it). There are so few companies left that make and sell truly high-quality tools made to last a lifetime, but they are at the head of that group as far as I am concerned.

I see splitting some years with Black Cherry and Sungold, but not other years. I have noticed that it is more the inconsistency in the moisture that causes splitting....like if we are swinging wildly from very dry to very wet and back again. But if we're having consistently moist weather like we did most of last summer, they don't split as much.

Jay, I think it has to be more complex than just moisture alone because we do see such widely varying results....from no splitting in some places to lots of splitting in others. Perhaps it is the combination of soil and moisture?

Docjoc, Oh, just wait till we start 'reviewing' our favorite producers and best-tasting varieties near the end of the season and comparing them to one another, and making our tomato 'grow lists' for next year. I think last year we didn't start talking about "next year" until August. We like to discuss it while the performance of the different varieties is fresh in our minds. Tomato addiction is a very serious disease and it is contagious.

Carol, My plants looked gorgeous three days ago and now I see a disease outbreak...I think I already see Early Blight and Septoria Leaf Spot. I probably will pull the plants most affected and put in beans or purplehull peas in their spot and then try to nurse the remaining plants back to health. It only takes 15 minutes of moisture on the foliage at certain temps for diseases to start developing, so the disease outbreaks are practically guaranteed.

I've made a couple of batches of Annie's Salsa (oooh, need to write a brief thread about fixing the vinegar problem) this week and will make 2 or 3 or 4 more today. Trying to pick and use everything that's ripe before they split. Also busy making strawberry syrup and blueberry syrup and the LAST batch of plums as well as starting a big batch of Habanero Gold today to finish tomorrow. When it is rainy and I can't be outside, I go into the kitchen and can stuff. It is raining here today so I'll likely can stuff until I run out of jars....and I have quite a few jars on hand. Once I am through canning, maybe I'll go online and look for seeds on sale or something.

Paula, If there is a better tomato than Black Cherry, I haven't found it. They always produce well and always taste great. What more do you need?

The funny thing is that I wouldn't even try them the first year or two they were out. There was a big 'fad' of "new" black varieties being introduced everywhere and a lot of them weren't any better than (or as good as) the black ones I'd already grown, so I figured the 'new' black cherry was in that group. After seeing rave reviews from people whose opinions I respected, though, I had to try them, and I've grown them every year since then. I think they were the last new introduction from Vince Sapp before his death.

Dawn

Dawn - what more do you need? Cherokee Purple....they are PERFECT on a home grilled burger (either venison or beef). I think I could be happy with BC's, CP's and the Roma Rio's I'm growing this year for salsa & sauce. Yep, I think that would suffice all my tomatoe needs....just not all my "wants" so I'll probably continue to try new ones (with all of y'alls help!)

Paula

I should have waited 24 hours after the rain stopped to give a final analysis. I just came in from harvesting all I could find of all small tomatoes and this is my summary after 1" of rain last weekend, and then about 3.5" for the last couple of days:

Sprite - every one (about 200 fruit) split immediately but this is one I give no care or water to and is in the level ground.

Black Cherry - 90% of the ripening ones have now split (about 50 fruit) in two different raised beds I give decent care and water to.

Sungold - 60% of them have split (about 40 fruit) in two beds right next to the Black Cherries.

Juliet - 90% of them split (about 30 fruit) but I only have 2 plants in one bed away from others that gets only fair water and care.

Sugary - A lot were good yesterday, but by today 90% (about 50 fruit) of the remaining ripening ones had split. It is just enxt to Sungold and Black Cherry.

Sweet Million - About 30% split after the weekend rain, and by today 80% (about 100 fruit) were split. I had not harvested any since Saturday so they were riper and more than most.

Grapette - About 40% split (80 or so fruit) by today, but I had not harvested these since last Saturday either. They are right next to Sweet Million in a raised bed.

Large Red Cherry - 50% of them (about 15) split. The ones not as ripe were mostly still good, but all the really red ones were split. They are right next to Sungold on only one plant.

Grapette is pretty tough and the rest are all pretty similar I'm guessing depending on growing conditions. I'm a huge fan of Sungold and Grapette after this year. Juliet and Black Cherry are right there also. Sweet Million and Sugary will be hard to stop growing also. OK, I'm just rambling now. They are all pretty good.

Scott - with the blueberries and all those tomatoes...you've got to be one of the healthiest people around! Nice harvest! Thanks for the info!

Dawn wrote:

"The funny thing is that I wouldn't even try them the first year or two they were out. There was a big 'fad' of "new" black varieties being introduced everywhere and a lot of them weren't any better than (or as good as) the black ones I'd already grown, so I figured the 'new' black cherry was in that group. "

I resisted trying Black Cherry for the same reason. Back in 2002 I received seed to Black Plum, along with all sorts of rave reviews on its flavor. Well, I'd rather eat a Roma than a Black Plum! And, I've grown them now, in both NJ and OK, with widely different soil and climate. They're even worse in OK, since about 90% of the fruit rotted on the vine here in Tahlequah. So I thought, "Black Cherry, yea, sure!" I had to hear about it here before I would try it. But it has the flavor which I consider ideal for a cherry tomato. My goal this year was to plant 10 of them. I didn't quite make it. But with the volunteers I think we're close. My hope is that we'll be able to eat and eat and not feel like we're running out, and still have some for dehydrating. I did give away a number of plants this year. I bet those folks are going to want to grow them again.

Jay, I'd love to see a picture of that hoe. I have problems picturing visual things described verbally. I'm toying with the idea of carrying my collinear hoe to the doctor's office, for my first check up, Wednesday. If he can see how low labor it looks, maybe he'll let me start using it. I have swaths of garden, right now, with nearly bare earth and tons of little Bermuda and other weeds starting to pop up. With such a hoe, and a few minutes, I could do wonders. I can't just drop cardboard on those sections, because they also have seedlings coming up in them.

George

George,
I will try to get a picture and send it too you. It is different than any hoe I've ever seen. But you may of seen one. I did look at it yesterday better. It is at least partially hand forged. I'm guessing it came from MO. The story was the lady who had the sale her Dad was raised in MO. I believe it was his Dad who was an old black smith. And like I said many of the old hand tools ect had been hand forged. At least partially. My best guess is he would take a piece of metal that was made for something else and modify it to his idea of what it should be like. Which is what I think he did here. I will try to show in the pictures the curves in the blade both ways. Very thin metal with a very sharp edge and I would say it hadn't been used in many years when I bought it. Again different areas uses different style tools. Maybe it is something that is used in MO that he modified. I know I really like it. And for it too be so old and still so useable you know it has good metal in the blade. The handle is just a tree limb whittled to fit. But works well.

When I send you the pictures will update you some what on how the tomatoes from your seeds are doing. Somehow I started plants from everyone but Prudence Purple. I have several Baker Families out. I haven't seen any greenies on any of them yet. Nice looking plants. But they could have. I don't look at each plant as closely for fruit as I did when I grew only 6-12 plants. Guker's Special Pink is a nice looking plant. Again not sure if it has any greenies. They maybe small and not real visible yet. I think I read a post of yours where you stated Prundence(sp) Purple was one of the better ones you had. I have it on the list for next year. I can't remember now why I didn't plant some seeds of it. Maybe it was because I had several dark ones. Overall though looking like a better year. But with most of July and all of August still ahead I know a lot can change. Hope you are healing well. I know it is hard not to do more than the doctor says. Have a blessed day. Jay

Paula,

Cherokee Purple was one of the first 'purple' or 'black' types I grew and it hated me. For two years in a row, I had big, disease-ridden plants that would not produce fruit. Finally on the third try, they stayed healthy and produced well and I fell in love with CP.

For quite a long time I was perfectly happy with CP and Black Krim, but then found......

1) True Black Brandywine, which produces better for me than Black Krim and produces smoother fruit less prone to cracking. So, now I grow more TBBs than BKs, and

2) Indian Stripe, which produces better and earlier for me than CP and which many believe may be a strain or close relative of CP. So, now I grow more ISs than CPs.

This year I am growing Dora, Gary O Sena and JDs Special C-Tex (among others), and it amazes me how well they grow here, how heavily they produce and how good the flavor of the toms is. Just when you think you've found the perfect tomato for your tastebuds, along comes something else. I guess that's why we all keep trying a few new varieties every year.

Scott, That's an awful lot of splitting and probably more than I'm seeing here, but I am seeing a lot too. That's another reason I dehydrate the small ones. When they are starting to split, I harvest and dehydrate all I can. After all that extra moisture is sucked out of them, they're pretty tasty and also preserved for the winter all at the same time. (Sometimes, though, when I'm removing a batch from the cookie sheets, I eat them almost as fast I can pick them up off those cookie sheets, so a substantial amount of them never make it into long-term storage.)

George,

I think Black Plum is a oddball. The first couple of yeas I grew it, it was great but that was in really dry years with exceptionally low rainfall---under 20", and I wasn't irrigating them because I had to spend the 'water money' watering the clay soil around the house to keep our then very-young trees and shrubs alive. In other years, I didn't like Black Plum nearly as much, so I quit growing it. If I could recapture the flavor it had in those hot, dry years, though, I'd think it worth growing. There are so many others, though, that are more reliable and consistent.

I say take that collinear hoe to the Dr.'s office and see what he says. If he's a gardener, he'll have to have one of his own after he sees yours.....

Jay, Uh oh, I think you have an old tool addiction too. Now you're trying to get George addicted. Once an ebnabler, always an enabler.

Dawn

Dawn,
I will admit I have an auction addiction. It is amazing at the bargains you often find at them. And then again it is just as startling when someone pays more than new price for a used item. Like I tell everyone do your research before you go and set your max and don't go over it and you will never have buyer remorse.

Maybe it because I'm a mechanical technician I like to look at tools. Especially old tools. The workmanship and quality on many is better than you can find today. And many were changed on a forge for a specific use. If you can figure it out many times you are surprised at how well they work. And also a lot of the time you can buy them cheap. I think I paid five dollars for the hoe and four pitch forks. All good handles. I can't afford to put new handles in when I break one when I can buy them that cheap. Yes I will admit I'm an enabler when it comes to auctions. All of my hoes, shovels, rakes,post hole diggers, post drivers, utility carts, Troybilt chipper/shredder, mowers,tractor and much more are auction purchases. In fact if you removed my auction purchases I would have to go buying things to grow my garden.

George I will also include a picture of some of the plows. I have about four different ones I use around the garden. Jay

Dawn,
It is really too early for me to form many opinions. And I sure don't want to jinx any of them. Most of the Brandywine crosses have set some fruit. I'm not sure if Gary O Sena has. But most of the rest has at least some. The two that so far have kept my attention are Big Cheef and Bear Creek. I didn't have seeds listed for either and don't think I sent out seeds for either. Provided I harvest some will save seeds of both. So be ready for seeds in the mail later. Then next year you can compare them to the ones you have this year. After Mules endorsement of Bear Creek I knew it was worth growing. Might be a good one for Carol and others with hot, humid climates. Big Cheef is an impressive plant that I noticed a few more new ones on today. Will see how it handles the heat coming up. My seeds for it came from Bill Jeffers. He has sent me some real good seeds. I think he sent Bear Creek also. Jay

Here is a link that might be useful: Bear Creek Tomato