I can only remember the days tasting a good Jersey tomato (doesn't seem to exist anymore)

Try Rutgers. It is the classic Jersey tomato.

Campari (several other discussions its name will pull up if you want to read them) is ok for a store-bought tomato in the winter but there are so many better ones available - especially if you grow from seed.

Are you doing that or looking for a comparable transplant? If so then keep an eye out for Rutgers or Bradley plants. Both are a bit bigger but both are also a great deal better. :)

Dave

Do you ever shop at a farmer's market in the summer and taste homegrown tomatoes? I don't mean a roadside stand because they have those here and sometimes the produce is not local. Campari tomatoes are very good for a store tomato but I think there are many that would taste as good if grown in your garden. Bulgarian Triumph is one of Carolyn's picks from her book. I don't know if it tastes like Campari because I only buy Campari in the winter and then anything that actually tastes like a tomato beats the all the other ones in stores.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bulgarian Triumph

Dave,

Thanks for your response. The husky's and cherry's I started from seed (wasn't too difficult, did it before I even looked up info on this site. I may have been lucky), but the Lemon Boy's I did not.

I don't mind starting from seed. I didn't really decide whether I would start from seed or not. I guess it all depends.

When you say Rutgers, do you mean tomatoes grown from a seed that Rutgers University actually distributes? I remember reading their site last year regarding ordering seeds. Forgive me if I'm completely off base, I'm just trying to remember what I read. They offered Rutgers and Ramapo seeds (whatever they are).

I'm looking for anything that tastes nice to be honest. I figured a Campari would be my 'go to reference' in regards to what I've enjoyed lately. I hate to admit it has been the tastiest tomato I've had in years. As I said in my initial post, I haven't been subject to many types of tomatoes in the past.

One thing I do know though...I'm a tomato lover. I was sent to the hospital as a child due to eating too many. I absolutely couldn't keep my hands out of mother's garden. Those cherry tomatoes back in 80-81 were absolutely delicious. I've been craving getting my hand on something that tastes like an old Jersey, but I didn't think it was possible.

Thank you.

Rutgers is a variety name and the seeds for it are readily available from most any seed supplier and even often on seed racks in stores. Yes it was developed by Rutgers University as part of the original Jersey tomato project.

You'll find sub-types of it listed as Rutgers Improved, Rutgers Select, Rutgers VFA, or just plain Rutgers. Ramapo is another from that project but it isn't as readily available from seed suppliers although it is making a come-back.

Depending on where you live it may be too late to start plants from seed but it is also commonly available as a transplant in many parts of the country.

Dave

@ Helenh,

I replied, but it didn't seem to show up. I can't say I frequent many farmer's markets around here. The closest and only ones I know of are in Hoboken, NJ and in NYC. As far as I know, the market in Hoboken is quite small and doesn't offer many types of tomatoes. It has been a few years since I've really browsed it though. Noted on the Bulgarian Triumph.

@ Dave,

Good to know. I must admit I never see them on the shelves where I am in Jersey, which is a bit odd considering Rutgers is based out of NJ, but oh well. I do have a form I can fill out to purchase seeds directly from the University should I be so inclined. Is Ramapo similar to the Rutgers tomato in sweetness/acidity/whatever? Once again, I realize taste is subjective, but it wouldn't hurt to have your opinion if you've tasted one.

Have you tasted any of the sub-types? If so, any thoughts on them?

I'm in zone 6A/B I believe. I'm a novice and never paid much attention to the zones. 2010 was the first year I attempted tomatoes on my own, and didn't do too shabby. Would have been a lot better if the squirrels didn't steal my produce and I received a lot more sun in the front of where my apt actually is.

I've been considering paying $75 (a bit steep imo) for a 8'x11' plot in a local town (Bloomfield) to grow tomatoes I've never tried. Still not sure what I'll do. I'm just getting sick of buying tomatoes at the store and realizing what I'm missing. I mentioned Campari's because they seem to be the only ones with any taste. The regular ugly, vine-ripened, roma, grape, and cherry's (aside from nature sweet) seem to be absolutely tasteless and mush. It's a travesty compared to what I was used to as a kid. I don't even remember having a bad tomato back 20 or so years. The Jersey tomatoes were SO good. I especially enjoyed them mostly green/a little reddish (perhaps that may describe the type of tomato(es) I may enjoy).

I appreciate the info.

I don't think Campari's are the only ones with taste, far from it, but if you're looking for a Camapari type the variety Mountain Magic F1 is said to be a good Campari type that grows well outdoors which the F1 Campari does not.

MM F1 just became available for 2011 commercially but I know the hybridizer well, Dr. Randy Gardner, recently of NCSU, and he had sent me seeds for it and two other new ones a couple of years ago and I've now grown MM F1 for two seasons and am impressed. The best deal money-wise is at TOmato Growers Supply Co in FL, which you can Google.

Ramapo has always been a fave of mine and when the F1 went out of seed production I dehybridized the F1 to an OP and folks are on the F5 and F6 now and all is well.

Rutgers has decided to bring back some of the older F1's that disappeared and two years ago they themselves started selling F1 seeds for both Ramapo F1 and also Moreton Hybrid, another one of the earlier hybrids which I think has grat taste as well as the other two Harris hybrids.

Sadly there is no Jersey tomato and never really was. If I were ambitious I could go fetch two articles written by some Rutgers folks about that. NJ got the reputation of being the Garden State long ago when tomatoes from Jersey were trucked to NYS and Philly, as is pointed out in one of those articles.

So look for some MM F1 seeds, and Helen suggested Bulgarian Triumph which is a great variety, fruits larger than a cherry and whenever anyone is looking for a variety that mimics the on the vine ones sold in the stores I tell them about Bulgarian T and say it's much better than those, and it is.

Did I cover everything you asked about? If not, please just ask again herein your thread.

Carolyn

Carolyn,

Ah, there you are. I only know you from seeing informative posts on this site.

As I said, I'm a novice to all of this. I'm sure I can gather information in regards to the process of dehybridizing plants, etc... but at the moment I must say I don't know much about it.

I can't say I'm completely partial to Campari, but (forgive me), they really are the only tomatoes with taste I have found in my local grocery stores in the past few years. I've thought this to be a shame.

I'd say if you are impressed with a tomato then it's probably worth giving a shot. I'll Google Tomato Growers Supply Co and see what I can find. I'll also reach Rutgers and see what I can purchase. I don't remember Moreton or Harris being available

Yes, I do remember reading an article recently on Rutgers bringing something back. Now that you mention it, yes, I realize there probably was no real 'Jersey' tomato. That's just the name I've heard of since I was a child. When taking the train into NYC I do pass by what I believe are some old Campbell's or Heinz factories.

I'd look into the Bulgarian Triumphs. Would be nice to grow something better than those bland things labeled as 'on the vine.'

Yes, you all pretty much covered everything. I'm pretty sure I'll be posting more often, most likely asking questions already asked a hundred times.

Actually, I'm thinking as I type, and one thing I would like to ask is, do you know of any tomato festivals or anything of the sort that may happen in New Jersey? I reside in Bergen county and am willing to travel a lil bit aways (perhaps an hour or so in any direction, except into water of course). I'm sure I may be able to find this info with a search, but just picking your brain to see if you know of anything off the top of your head (or anyone that reads this for that matter).

Also...sorry to keep going...but I've read quite a few times that you have a book out. Perhaps you can share the name of the book with me? Otherwise, I can just do a search and I guess I could find it. I don't mean to sound lazy, I'm anything but.

Thanks gang.

You could buy a box of campari, save the seeds, dry them and sow them, You're going to grow something that will look and taste just like campari.

I don't remember Moreton or Harris being available

****

Sorry I wasn't clear about that but there are three older hybrids that Harris Seeds bred, which are Moreton Hybrid, Supersonic and Jet Star, no variety named Harris.

Moreton Hybrid went out of seed production and now Rutgers is selling it off their website along with Ramapo F1 which you can find by Googling and while I didn't check it out Moreton Hybrid may also be sold now by Harris Seeds at their website.

I know of many taste testings around the country but none near NJ except for the Taste testing that Rutgers itself has every year and the date for that is usually posted again, at one of their websites.

Carolyn

Trudi,

Thanks. I guess my title is a little misleading. I should have known better I suppose.

I'm not really looking for a Campari taste. It was more of a reference point in regards to what I've actually tasted lately.

I'm ashamed to say I have only eaten tomatoes available at my local grocery store (Shoprite in Lyndhurst, NJ). Campari (Sunset brand) and Nature Sweet cherry's are the only ones that have had flavor in quite a few years. I've purchased 'Jersey' tomatoes at local Nurseries for years since 1985 or so and even those were bland. Once in a while I would get a good ugly tomato or vine-ripened out of a bag, but it's just rare. That's just my experience in my local grocery stores though.

While I like the Campari and could grow from seeds, I'm just looking for recommendations based on how a Campari tastes. Once again, I realize taste is relative, but I think it's safe to say people like Dave, Betsy and Carolyn could guide me towards something I may like using the Campari as a guideline.

I'm totally open to new kinds of tomatoes, and have always wanted to try them. I can completely gorge myself on tomatoes if I wanted. If I find something worthwhile, I may just toss the $75 to the only community garden I know of and begin cultivating my green thumb a bit, whether successful or not. I'm sure I'll learn.

Campari's seem to be a bit on the sweet side with a hint of acidity, but considering the old tomatoes I'm used to, they were highly acidic and I enjoyed them with just a bit of salt. I liked them a bit more firm and green.

I apologize if I'm rambling here...when not writing research papers or lab reports I tend to just type as I think...

I was just reading about what you are describing. Google old time tomato taste and you will find a lengthy discussion.

@ Helenh,

Thank you. Yup, you and Carolyn seem to be spot on with what I am looking for.

I'm sure this is just the beginning of my tomato adventures. I appreciate the info.

BTW, this website seems to not play so nice with Firefox. I am writing replies and they just don't seem to go through... anyway... thank you again, everyone.

Looks like I'll be attending the next tasting Rutgers holds. =)

TC, tomatoes are totally wonderful, and there really is something for everyone when it comes to shape, size, color and sweetness. Hubs loves sweet ones, and I prefer those with a touch of tang. Going to a tomato tasting is a great idea, if Rutgers has one again this year then it is worth a day trip to go there. If you want to travel a bit, I can also recommend MAGTAG, which is at the end of August in Balto, you can bring some of your maters and see how they fare against many others, it's a wonderful and very friendly event. Tomato folk are generally good folk.

March is here and it's time to start planning the 2011 MAGTAG fest. I'm assuming that SW Area park in Baltimore is OK again this year. Any thoughts or suggestions?

******

Remember above when I said that I knew of several events around the country and I said I didn't see one around NJ. Well, I was looking at the title of MAGTAG which stands for the Middle Atlantic________________ and didn't realize that the event was held in NJ each year.

It was started by a bunch of folks who post at a different message site and as I recall they've decided to have the event on August 20th this year.

There are now 7 or 8 different such events all started by different folks who participate at that site and they're placed at many areas from NC to Detroit to N CA to the Buffalo area and more.

Referring to the above cut and paste from the other site is the SW Park in Baltimore also known as Balto, or is Balto just short for Baltimore. If so, who knew except for you folks near Baltimore. LOL

And I read more in the MAGTAG thread and found you mentioned there Trudi, where folks liked the Absinthe variety you brought as one of the varieties last year.

Carolyn, who when thinking of Middle Atlantic was thinking of something farther West than NJ. ( smile)

Hello All,

I discovered Campari tomatoes at my grocer's several years ago and liked the little fellas a lot. Contrary to what people say, I do put mine in the fridge all the time and find they last very well and longer than if I would keep them on the countertop. They seem to develop a little tang, which I love in a tomato, when they are in the fridge, especially when they are cut. So many people seem to like sugar-sweet tomatoes and I never have because I like the sweet/tangy real tomato flavor. My favorite sandwich is ham on toast with mayonnaise, lettuce and tomatoes and that acid bite is great in that combination, IMO.

Anyway, that's not what I am posting about--Just wanted to share that with y'all.

I read posts about fermenting tomatoes to get the seeds. What does that mean and why is it done? Can't one just let the tomato dry out and then get the seeds out of it to plant? That's where "volunteer" plants have come from, but there must be an advantage to the fermentation method of getting seeds, so I'd like to understand it because I'd like to try growing the Camparis from seeds from the ones I buy at the store.

Also, does anyone know if the Rutgers tomatoes will grow in South Louisiana's climate where it's bug and disease heaven? I was born and raised in NJ and remember when my big brother raised Rutgers tomatoes and they were so good. (He went to Rutgers. We lived in East Orange waaaaayyyy back when.)

I'd like to be able to have a list of tomatoes with rich tomato flavor and a great balance between sweet and acidic tang. So many seeds I see advertised are for super sweet tomatoes, these days.

Right now, I have Celebrity growing and a Creole plant, which I've read, here, can be any kind of tomato, which baffles me, but I'm trying it anyway. I have a Sweet 100, which I got before I found this forum where it says that they split in the heat and humidity. I'm going to move its container where it will not get full sun all day and see how it does there.

What does the F1, F2, etc. mean?

I appreciate all the information on this forum and wish everyone a great tomato season, in fact a great all-round gardening season this year. :)

Thanks,

Vivian