Thinking About Tomatoes Already

[thistlebloom]

I grew Jet Star last year also, I bought it in a 4" pot from a nursery.
Wish I could say something about it, but this was the year of the sprawl and my lousy tagging system. So I never knew what was what.

Steve, is the red requirement for your taste or do they sell better at the farmers market?

 

[thistlebloom]

@catjac1975 thanks but not many photos when it looked that good. Maybe two or three times a year I have it caught up and cleaned out. The rest of the time there are weeds and grass that needs to be cleaned out. Often there are several areas that are really out of control.

That was kind of expensive to set up, cattle panels aren't real cheap. T-posts aren't that bad at Tractor Supply. If you cut those panels into 8' lengths that isn't that hard not set up. Those 16' lengths were really hard to handle, mainly because they are both flexible and awkward. My soil is not rocky so the T-posts are pretty easy to take out. And is stores really well, just lean the panels against the fence.

Since you asked so politely here's a shot after I dug my sweet potatoes this fall. You can see plenty of areas with the grass out of control.



View attachment 5570

Since you have evil Bermuda grass to battle you get a total Pass Go and Collect $200 card from me. There's weeds, and then there's Bermuda grass.

 

[digitS']

I grew Jet Star last year also, I bought it in a 4" pot from a nursery.
Wish I could say something about it, but this was the year of the sprawl and my lousy tagging system. So I never knew what was what.

Steve, is the red requirement for your taste or do they sell better at the farmers market?

Mostly, I'm trying to match up against Big Beef.

Remember our efforts to come up with an open-pollinated Early Girl?? I'm still thinkin'!!

Steve

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thistle, thanks but we all have out evil stuff, quackgrass, bindweed, whatever. Bermuda grass just happens to be mine.

I actually like Bermuda grass in a pasture, hayfield, even on a lawn. Just not in or any where near my garden. The strawberry and asparagus beds are a real challenge, much worse than just in the garden. In the garden it can make me say things my Mommy would not approve of.

 

[thistlebloom]

Oh I've battled Bermuda when I lived down south. Give me an acre of bindweed any day!

 

[digitS']

And, here's another idea, @so lucky !


Since you are thinking about heirloom crosses. How about a cross of Cherokee Purple and Pruden's Purple? Vorlon (link)

I'm not sure what to think about ordering it from Baker Creek ... Bulgaria?? Here is what Tatiana has to say about it and there are several choices in "seed available." TomatoBase.

@Lavender2 may want to think about this one, too.

Steve
who hasn't figured out why Pruden's is called purple ... since it is pink

 

[Ridgerunner]

Eva Purple Ball is also pink.

Do you think they do that because the truly deep purple tomatoes are called black?

 

[digitS']

The genetic terminology for tomato pigments is beyond me, RidgeRunner.

There are separate genetic codes controlling both skin and flesh color. The pigments have something to do with both flavor and nutrients. The plant breeders know about these things.

I think that it is often a grandchild or neighbor who names an heirloom.

Steve

 

[Jared77]

Saw this & made me think of you Steve

Dwarf Purple Heart

@digitS'

 

[digitS']

There is that adventure some of the North American and Australian tomato aficionados went on! There are a number of these new tomatoes. I had read some things by Craig LeHoullier over the last few years about their efforts and the introduction of several dwarf varieties.

Victory Seed (link) will be selling them .

Steve