Seventy varieties planted

11 years ago

So far I have 70 different tomato varieties in the ground, 530 total plants. They seem to be doing OK despite cooler temperatures in our area yet. I have string lines on most plants for support so now it's just a waiting game to get ripe fruit.

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barrie2m_(6a, central PA)
Original Author

11 years ago

Yes, I'm a market grower. I have a pretty good market outlet for heirloom tomatoes and also sell a variety of plants. Actually I have 200 additional tomato plants started from seed in addition to those 70 varieties planted and probably another 100 varieties that are soon to be planted in another high tunnel. Most latest varieties are for plant sales or field planting (determinate var. for me).

I can't understand customer preferences. Last year one customer ordered 500 Jasper cherry tomato plants in a large order ( from SE PA- Hershey area). I like that variety but they take twice the time to pick as other cherry varieties and this year I have none of that one growing. For a few heirloom varieties I just plant because I have seed yet from 10+ years ago.

Agree Seysonn, lots of time required. One has to enjoy the ride in order to take the trip.

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Comments (13)

Labradors
11 years ago
That's very impressive! I hope you have a great growing season!

Linda
zzackey
11 years ago
Awesome! What kind of medium are you growing them in? I've seen them planted in all perlite before.
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centexan254 zone 8 Temple, Tx
11 years ago
That looks great. It is way more than I would be able to keep up with.
digdirt2
11 years ago
Where you located Barrie? What zone?

Dave
barrie2m_(6a, central PA)
Original Author
11 years ago
Zzackey, they are just grown in soil but I amend every year.This is the first year that I added compost. Most years I've added a few compressed bales of peat moss and rotted hay when I could get it.

Dave, I'm in central PA, Penn State territory. I believe a zone 6b. It has been cold here and this is the latest I've planted tunnel tomatoes in the last 8 years. I believe that by potting up and having larger plants, most with blossoms, I can achieve a similar first harvest as last year. I did take a picture of last Tuesday's snow as I was getting ready to plant.
zzackey
11 years ago
Good idea. I used to live in Bradford county. I had friends that went to school there.
hudson___wy
11 years ago
Wow - that is simply awesome!!! Seventy Varieties - do you start them from seed? What are some of your personal favorite varieties? You certainly have the opportunity to grow & taste many! I hope you will post photos as the season progresses so we can see your operation!
barrie2m_(6a, central PA)
Original Author
11 years ago
Bradford county is even further north and the snow probably has not melted there yet.

Hudson, I will end up with over 200 varieties once I plant the later heirloom varieties in the other tunnel and then the determinate varieties in the field. I may post more pictures as I get more familiar with photo aspects of this tablet.

Favorites? Cherry & grape varieties have done well for me in the past and I have a mix of 30 varieties of them in just 4 of 11 rows planted so far. I eat a lot of cherry types while picking. But nobody picks a small fruited type as a favorite so I'll name Big Beef as my "Workhorse" tomato. I have more plants of it than any other.
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
11 years ago
Wow. 200 varieties !
And of course you've got what it takes : Two High Tunnel.
I am growing about 20 varieties this year, one or two of each. That takes a lot of staking, weaving and pruning. Never mind watering, fertilizing and spraying.

Seysonn
caryltoo Z7/SE PA
11 years ago
That's some setup. Do you grow for market?
maxjohnson
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Sounds like a full time job to me. I'm growing 20 variety this year and I don't even know if I had enough time after work to look after them.
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
11 years ago
Last count I have 28 varieties and probably should have close to 50 plants (10 In pots and 40 in raised beds) . This will be a record number for me. So far I have planted 10 and 40 more to go.
In addition to tomatoes I have close to 20 peppers, all to be planted in containers.
I'll be busy.

Seysonn