Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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January 27, 2016 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,049
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The Versus Thread
Big Beef vs Goliath
This is a thread for those of us with limited space, who have to decide between one or another variety. For example, I plan to grow one large red hybrid, and can't decide between Big Beef and Goliath. I know a lot of you swear by Big Beef, but they are rated the same for yield, and Goliath scores better on taste, here: http://vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu/help.php I also know several of you grow, or have grown, both. So what's the verdict? Which one would you choose, and why? Steve |
January 27, 2016 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern WI
Posts: 2,742
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This will be fun! I can't answer because I haven't grown them (trying Big Beef F1) this year.
I know a lot of things impact this type of question, personal prefs, location, etc etc etc etc but it is still fun to do this type thing. I'm sure I've got a couple I'll post.........I'll be back!! |
January 27, 2016 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7
Posts: 4,915
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I am also going to grow Big Beef along with Big Boy and Better Boy.
I have not grown Goliath. Last year I grew Bush Goliath in pot. Nothing to write home about. Gardeneer |
January 27, 2016 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 124
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I grow about 500 goliath every year. I've also tried Big Beef, Beef Master, and Better Boy in side by side trials { always 2 years on the trials ] . The production for me here in CO was comparable on all 4 varieties. The first fruits on the Goliaths crack a little then later sets are crack free. The other 3 cracked from start to finish with Beef Master the worse. Taste wise Goliaths ruled with Big Beef a close second the other 2 I didn't care for.
Marcus |
January 27, 2016 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro
Posts: 1,910
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Good information for me Marcus, we're pretty close.
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January 27, 2016 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
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I'm growing Big Beef vs Mountain Merit. I grew BB last year and it was great, but MM has the added nematode resistance. I have also noticed that many customers at market just buy red tomatoes and apparently don't care much about taste. If it looks like a store tomato they will buy it, so flavor isnt as much of a concern in this instance.
Some others will be Black Cherry vs Ron's Carbon Copy f7 and I am growing 10 paste tomatoes for evaluation. I will stop growing the bottom 2 each year until I get the final 2, then grow mainly those while trying a new one or two every year. |
January 27, 2016 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern WI
Posts: 2,742
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I've got a couple that come to mind now I'm interested to hear about. I'm likely growing these varieties in future years, but would love to hear any 1:1 comparisons.
Earl of Edgecomb vs Jaune Flammee and Dwarf Wild Fred vs Dwarf Fred's Tie Dye and Black Cherry vs Chocolate Cherry Saw this: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=33975 Last edited by jmsieglaff; January 27, 2016 at 09:41 AM. |
January 27, 2016 | #8 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,049
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Quote:
jmsieglaff,It will also be interesting to hear comparisons of other varieties going head to head. I'm glad you've joined in. And BigVanVader, I hope you'll compare varieties grown side by side during the coming season. I'm sure folks here will appreciate it. |
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January 27, 2016 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 6,794
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Earl of Edge vs Jaune Flammee:
Don't have a side by side but I grew both of these in different yet equally horrible summers. Earl of E didn't produce a single fruit for me. Jaune Flammee produced a nice bit although later than I would have liked. If I had to choose between them for a nasty cold summer, obviously JF wins hands down. Indeed I won't be trying the Earl again any time soon. Lovely summers, your mileage no doubt will vary! |
January 27, 2016 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3,889
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Tangerine vs Jubilee
I haven't tried Tangerine yet, but grew Jubilee years ago and thought the flavour was good. Linda |
January 27, 2016 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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The post threw me off for a minute but I think I know what you are getting at now.
If I am correct we are comparing varieties that are alike. Yes I am doing the same thing here with a few but not many. Aunt Ruby's German Green versus Emerald Evergreen. Paul Robinson versus Indian Stripe. These are my main two. About everything else is different enough that I can just about plant them all without labels. Worth |
January 27, 2016 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Abilene, TX zone 7
Posts: 1,478
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Last year, I grew Juanne Flamme and Earl of Edgecombe. Both were productive, but I like the flavor of the JF much better than the Earl.
I have also grown Goliath and Big Beef. Here in my part of the world, it is a toss up, although it seems I got larger fruits from Goliath. |
January 27, 2016 | #13 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 4,966
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Quote:
Perhaps a tag team match (tables and chairs...plates too) for the championship belt. |
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January 27, 2016 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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Big Beef tastes better than Goliath in my garden. I like BB a lot better. Goliath has a grainy texture that I don't care for at all. Of course that result may be specific to my location.
I do the "throwdown" battles every summer between similar varieties. (insert Rocky theme) The ones I keep tend to be the winners, although sometimes I still can't pick just one and will save seeds from both. Sungold F1 is the one champion that is hard to upset, but I keep trying. |
January 27, 2016 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Jersey
Posts: 1,183
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For me Sunchocola blew all black/chocolate cherries away. Nothing came close
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