Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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March 16, 2018 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 140
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Help recommending best all around tomato to coworker
Hi friends.
A coworker thinks I'm crazy with all sorts of different hybrids of tomatoes. He wants "the best all around" tomato. What should I start for him? |
March 16, 2018 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3,887
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Sungold
Linda |
March 16, 2018 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Detroit
Posts: 688
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'Best' is 100% subjective, so only your coworker can make that determination. And that depends on what qualities he/she values (size, color, DTM, yield, plant size, etc.). Beyond that, taste is another ball of wax as everyone perceives it differently - and only part of that is sweetness and acidity.
If you're looking for something that is most likely to impress your coworker, then I suggest something like 'Red Brandywine'. It has a decent yield and most people consider it's taste to be very good. |
March 16, 2018 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Phoenix, AZ (zone 9b)
Posts: 796
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This depends on MANY different factors..
Do you prefer large-fruited or cherry/grape tomatoes? Do you prefer red, pink, purple, black, orange, yellow, etc.. colored tomatoes? Do you have a long growing season or short? Do you prefer your tomatoes sweeter or more tart? Do you grow in the ground or in containers? Do you have room for big plants, or do they need to stay more compact? etc... If he's just looking for an easy-to-grow, tasty, productive big tomato, then Big Beef is always a good place to start. If he likes cherry tomatoes, then Sungold and Super Sweet 100 are both good, easy-to-find varieties.. .. but again, there are so many factors..
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I could sail by on the winds of silence, and maybe they won't notice... but this time I think it would be better if I swim.. |
March 16, 2018 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Philly 7A
Posts: 739
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Box car Willie.
Nice slicer, nice flavor. Prolific, never splits, first tomato of the season and last tomatoe of the season. Manageable size plant. |
March 16, 2018 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 3,194
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Big Beef & Sungold, depending on what they want. "Best all around" can mean many things, but the good qualities of BB & SG make them good candidates. If they just want best taste, go for Sungold. Otherwise, go with BB.
Nan |
March 16, 2018 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,460
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Box Car Willie or Stump of the World. Good looking, round regular tomatoes with good production and taste. For me, the best all arounds are not hybrids. If you only grow or recommend hybrids, probably Big Beef, but just doesn't compete with the best heirlooms for taste in my garden.
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March 18, 2018 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,591
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Personally I think any of the heart varieties are "best all round". They are big enough to be slicers for that tomato sandwich and not so juicy that the sandwich falls apart. Because they aren't so juicy and have few seeds they are great for making sauce. And great to chunk up for fresh salsa. And they tend to be a bit sweeter than many other varieties.
Carol |
March 18, 2018 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada
Posts: 13
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My #1 choice for Hybrid (Regular size) tomato is Super Fantastic - Productive & tasty.
For favorite Hybrid Cherry tomato my preference is SunSugar - Most here seem to suggest SunGold but my side-by-side comparative experiment last year made my preference SunSugar due to less cracking & a bit sweeter. Admittedly, SunGold did mature a few days earlier and was a smidge larger. However, for "best taste" I have to go for Open Pollinated (Heritage) varieties such as Paul Robson, Cherokee Purple & Black Krim, but yield is sometimes a disappointment. |
March 18, 2018 | #10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3,887
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Quote:
I'm trying SunSugar for the first time this year . Linda |
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March 18, 2018 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada
Posts: 13
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Good point Linda, so how about Mortgage Lifter for a Red Heritage? Have grown Radiator Charlie's strain in past years and am adding Estler's Strain this year just to compare the two.
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March 18, 2018 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Walla Walla, Washington
Posts: 360
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I wouldn't want to be without Stump of the World. Remy put me onto it in her online catalog years ago, calling it one of her favorites, and I agree completely. For my taste, it just doesn't get any better. And Black and Red Boar Heart is the second that is always included every season.
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March 18, 2018 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MA/NH Border
Posts: 4,917
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Does he grow any tomatoes himself? If not, then assuming you're giving him the plant to grow out, I would make sure you find something that matures early given your location.
If he's not already a tomato grower, he'll really think you're crazy if you get him to spend all that time nurturing a plant that only ripens a few tomatoes before frost kills it. I've only grown one hybrid, a cherry, so I won't be of much help if that's what your looking for. If you want to wow him with an OP, one that has always been productive and on the somewhat early side for me is Dester. |
March 18, 2018 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Steens, MS 8a
Posts: 410
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I would imagine that you will get about as many suggestions as you get people seeing this thread!
I vote with the Big Beef crowd. It has always produced very well for me downheah. Very good flavor, and it holds up well in the heat and humidity. Good luck! jon
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~Jon~ Downheah, Mississippi |
March 18, 2018 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Detroit
Posts: 688
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