[Grub]

Hi,
I’m not sure what is happening this season, but every tomato I pick is just pure bliss. Don’t mistake this for me being non-judgemental, subordinate, or a case of looking through rose-coloured tomato glasses. It’s just that after a few seasons I’ve struck on a mighty fine growlist — thanks to my tomato friends and peers — and, over the course of time, developed an appreciation for tomatoes other than the blockbusters.

Like wine, there are nuances to saviour, be it a smoothness, a great balance, an earthy undertone, some spiciness, lingering sweetness or other subtlety. Take Jaune Negib, an early yellow that some may criticise as being one-dimensional. While it was far from early for me, the mild yellow is just as welcome now as the big reds, exhibiting hints of loam and lemon on a soft palate.

Then there is Wes, a big red heart, that’s not overly complex. But it’s a $30 bottle of red with great balance and aesthetic appeal. And German Red Strawberry, which is so fruity it reminds me of a top pink. It should be made into a cocktail complete with an umbrella.

Of the pinks, Soldacki, Olena Ukrainian, Polish and Lithuanian all pack that sweet-tangy punch that almost leans towards the melon spectrum. Okay, maybe pushing things a bit far, but these are very full-bodied tomatoes, with huge slices, that sit well on their own. Or just on bread. Salt and pepper. Nothing more.

Then we shift to the classic tomato flavours. Livingston’s Favorite, pumping out 8oz red fruit, and Red Brandywine, similar size, are great reds with virtuous, vintage tomato tastes. And headstrong growth habits to boot.

The earlies, Kimberly and Sophie’s Choice, were more rewarding than I ever imagined. The former is a tomato factory, with sweet tasting golf balls that sweeten up some more in the height of summer. Sophie’s Choice has a more traditional tomato flavour, with scoffable big slices. The same can be said of New Big Dwarf and Mountain Princess. Russian Red is more like Kimberly. Very honest, prolific and salad-sized. They were all very good and I have trouble splitting them.

I’m enjoying the zippiness of Jaune Flammee, again, the aforesaid mildness and colour contrast of Jaune Negib, and there are Cherokee Purple, Picardy, Arkansas Traveller, Cuostralee and Kelloggs Breakfast X Akers West Virginia (F4) cross to go.

I have Rinaldo, Ernesto and Prue to pick and eat. Then there is Dr Neal, another nice pink that I have grown before. And in my slow patch there is Earl’s Faux, Box Car Willie, Mule Team, Neves Azorean Red and Mortgage Lifter (Esters Strain, no fruit yet). Akers West Virginia is just a wonderful looking plant. I hope it sets fruit soon. It has such pretty yellow flowers.

In the Rainbow Patch I have Grub’s Mystery PL and RL Green, both of which have ripe 10oz fruit right now, to tuck into and save seeds from. I noticed two Golden Monarchs approaching ripeness this morning. The green variant of Hughs isn’t showing many flowers. Only a few fruit on Golden Queen. Amongst those towering plants, Marianna’s Peace, a nice PL pink, is struggling for light, but here come the flowers.

Last but not least, my Fall Crop. I see fruit on Ashleigh, more Grub’s Greens, good flowers trusses on Green Giant, fruit on Grandfather Ashlock and another Neves Azorean Red. College Cropwell is setting some, while Yasha Yugoslavian thinks about it. And yet to try in pots: Persey is colouring up and Victorian Dwarf is loaded with mini beefsteak.

In respect of cherries: Sungold tastes wonderful sans all the sugars, in a low-brix position receiving 2hrs direct sun in the morning, two hours dappled light at midday, and two hours sun in the afternoon. Perhaps this lighting isn’t bringing out the flavour of Matts Wild, which is okay. Broad Ripple Yellow Currant is nice and lemony, but as I have discovered it’s not a currant. Note to self: chase down that wee yellow currant with dynamic flavour you tasted interstate at the farmer’s market. Rose Quartz Multiflora (red) is a very nice prolific cherry and satisfying in every way.

So there you have it. Plenty to celebrate and plenty to look forward to. I honestly can’t say there’s a dud amongst them. My palate is broadening, as with my mind, and I’m learning to appreciate that there is merit in a tomato whose taste isn’t necessarily a blockbuster. There are a lot of things that make an enjoyable tomato.

This particular season, my fruits are just huge, disease has been kept at bay, and fruit and white fly are scarce. It’s destined to be remembered as a great growing season. I planted out late. The fall crop holds great promise. It will be interesting to see how late they yield and whether the wonderful taste sensations continue.

Good growing to you all,
Grub.