The ones from the store....I never have much luck with this particular crop. Most anything else does great, but tomatoes always have some problem or other here.

My favorite is the Better Boy. I also start the tomatoes from seed, and try several different varieties. This year Super Steak, Goliath, Box Car Willie (love that name), Early Girl, Rutgers, Amish Paste, and Arkansas Traveler. They are growing well, most are already over my head, but we do have to water them. For now just watching and waiting for one to ripen, YUM YUM !

I have to vote for the Brandywine! It's delicious! I'm hoping though that the Cherokee purples will take it's place this year at the top of my tomato list.

Hmm, Brandywine. dvtown, did you start those from seed? Are they determinate or indeterminate? I like to have tomatoes all season. Never grown those. If these don't taste great, I'll try Brandywine next year. Cherokee purples sound good, let me know how they turn out!!!
Anyone else?

I love Cherokee Purple but I don't have much luck with them. Brandywine is great. I also like Nyagous, which is a smaller black variety.

Jennifer

My two favorites are both small -- I LOVE yellow pears and grape tomatoes. The yellow pears will reseed themselves every year and make LOTS of yummy little fruits, and the grapes just taste too wonderful!

I can't grow them, not enough sun. But I hit the farmers' markets for Cherokee Purples. Love those. Big ol' beefsteaks with a good tang.
I also like Better Girl, also bought from farmers markets. That's one's good with basil and mozzarella.

My dad has grown Early Girl, Celebrity, and Jet Star. I'm trying to grow the Celebrity and Jet Star this year and will let you know how they turn out.

I started the Brandywine from seed like the Cherokees. All the tomato plants have large and plump green tomatoes. Now I just have to wait for them to ripen! The Brandywine took longer to ripen than the Big Boys last year so it may be the second week of July before they do.

Amazindirt,

I'm trying the yellow pears this year. Have yours ripened yet?

I like the ones that are just turned, sliced thick, rolled in flour and fried. *grin*

Brandywines are good. Rutgers and Early Girls too. I tend to prefer the more acidic ones. Oh, and Roma tomatoes for cooking with. (or salads)

I have grown many varieties over the years but like Bradley the most.
jim_6b

Dvtown -- I'm not growing any veggies this year, and I moved since last season so I don't have any volunteers either. I don't really remember the exact ripening dates, although I think they ripen relatively early. Sorry!

Steve, did you see Volunteer Gardener this week? There was a lady on there showing how to make sturdy, cheap tomato cages.

Her favorites were Better Boy and one called "Mortgage Lifter." :)

I am really enjoying the German Queen that I got as a gift. I believe it came from Lowes.

Blessings,
Jennifer

My favorite are the first to turn red! lol I have Amish Paste, Porter, and Tiny Tim. My mom bought some from the store and have no idea what kind they are. We would have had some already if they didnt get End blossom rot or something like that. But we have BUNCHES getting light green. I even love the smell of the plants! LOL

And to think, I used to not really enjoy tomatoes before.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jen's Victory Garden Blog

ROMA!!! I love Italian tomatoes the best.

We have Roma's, Better Boy's, Best Boy's and Bradley's but I'd just as soon raise nothing but Roma's.

Connie I think that was Marty that did the tomato segment on VG.
C'mon Marty, get back on here - we miss you girl!!!

If you want 400+ tomato varieties to choose from then check out http://www.mariseeds.com/
That gal is off the hook with 'maters and peppers!!!
If you can't find a tomato that tickles your fancy on her farm then you're beyond help!
For $3.00 you get a pack of 25-40 seeds.
I actually tried counting what she has:
85 Italians
75 Pinks & Purples
65 Reds
56 Cherries
50 Yellows, Golds and Oranges
38 Blacks
26 Bi-colors
12 Greens
12 Whites

When you say 25-40 seeds, do you mean packs of seeds or actually seeds? Just wondering. I went to the site but she doesnt list what seeds you get for what package. I was interested in this package

Really Rainbow Salad Mix
Even kids will love helping make the salads at your house
when you bring them a basket of this colorful collection to toss into their creations.
Packet contains equal amounts of many of the colored cherries in this catalog.
#RR.............................................................................................30 seeds $3.00

but I dont know where to get a list of what is in it. does she mean only tomatoes or does that include radishes, carrots and lettuce?

Thanks :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Jen's Victory Garden Blog

I have a feeling, that when I grow Sungold next year, it will become my favorite mater. =) Right now, it's Roma.

Hands down the ones that come from my Aunts garden all ready canned! She started some from seed this year and some plants made their way to the swap in the spring. The variety is called Delicious. They are supposed to get up to a pound per tomato. They are fruiting in clumps right now and are beautiful so far. I am eager to see how they taste as they are healthy and prolific so far.

I like Cherry Tomatoes, just pop in my mouth all thru the day.In this heat they are a releif