Best tomato variety for garden?

[mmtibbs]

First, let's preface this by saying that I am a horrible gardener. I can kill cacti, given the chance.

Second, I am determined to change this!

I have the perfect spot, I have automated sprinklers, I have lots of sunshine....now I need tomato plants.

I was overwhelmed by the choices at the nursery yesterday (apologies to those of you looking out at snowbanks for my insensitivity), and would like to hear from you guys about your favorite variety of tomato plants.

I like meaty, dense tomatos and would prefer that they are medium size. The great big ones are just too big for my little family.

Gardeners?

[HRJ]

I'm not a gardening "expert," but I do have a lot of experience with tomatoes -- I've been very successful with them here in Massachusetts, and in New Jersey, where I lived for many years (if you can't grow tomatoes in Jersey, I think they make you leave the state .... :p )


But, I think it depends a lot on your location -- the tomatoes that work for me here in the Northeast might be totally wrong for you. I'd suggest contacting your local Cooperative Extension, or asking at your local nurseries. Also, I understand that Sunset Magazine is a great gardening resource for those in the West.

One thing to keep in mind -- your soil is probably the most important element of raising good tomatoes. Ask at a local garden center -- or talk to neighbors who have been successful at tomatoes -- about what you need to do to prepare your soil properly.

I fertilize my tomatoes with chicken manure (I love the name of the product, it's called ****-a-Doodle Doo); bone meal; and dried blood. I also cut up and bury banana peels around the tomato plants. Last year, I was overwhelmed by the number of tomatoes I got.

Also -- and maybe a more experienced gardener can address this -- I planted several "heirloom" varieties last year. But, I then read that heirloom plants are more susceptible to developing and spreading diseases. I think I'm going to take the chance and grow heirlooms again this year, but you might want to investigate that.

Happy growing!

Helene

[BlueMoose]

I'm not much of a gardener, but we do usually have tomatoes. I have found that I really like to get Roma tomatoes. They are pretty meaty and not very seedy, and the size is nice.

[SusanT]

Helene - Modern hybrid tomatoes have been bred to be disease resistant and heirlooms can be more disease prone. If you plant tomatoes in the same soil year after year, you increase the odds that you'll get a persistant disease in the soil. You can avoid this by rotating where you plant the tomatoes from year to year.

Burpee has a Brandywine hybrid called Brandy Boy that is supposed to be disease resistant.

Mmtibbs - The nurserys in your area are usually going to carry the tomato varieties that work best in your area. But you do need to know that tomatoes come in two varieties, determinant and indeterminant. Indeterminate varieties keep growing throughout the season and producing fruit. Determinate varities bear all their fruit at once and are usually used for paste and sauce. Roma tomatoes are usually determinate.

Tomatoes like to be watered but at the ground level. Overhead watering can lead to soil diseases.

I find that nothing beats good local information when it comes to gardening. I second Helene's advice on getting the scoop from local gardeners and the county extension service.

[Jewel]

I wouldn't know because I can't stand the nasty things, but I'll send the expert SandyM right over! She's been on a quest to get me to eat tomatoes for some time now! :D Hey Saaaaandy!!!

[SandyM]

I should ask the deer what the best type of tomato is to grow, since they got all of mine......:mad:

Anyway, based on your description, I agree with Chrisi - the Roma is a good all-purpose tomato to grow. As she says, they're meaty and not overly seedy. They're great in salads, sliced on a sandwich, and they make the best salsa and pasta / pizza sauce.

[Jewel]

Originally posted by SandyM
I should ask the deer what the best type of tomato is to grow, since they got all of mine......:mad:

Yeah, but this year they're going to remember that crazy lady with the Super Soaker that was hiding behind the deck furniture last year wearing camoflauge.... :eek: They'll stay away... ;)

[rosen]

SandyM

Did you know that they make motion detector water sprinklers? They are great for setting up around a garden to keep the varmints away.

[SandyM]

Originally posted by rosen
SandyM

Did you know that they make motion detector water sprinklers? They are great for setting up around a garden to keep the varmints away.

My sister-in-law told me about this. I think it's going to be my last attempt at keeping the deer out of my garden. I don't mind feeding them - everyone has to eat - but not my veggies, please!

Funny thing is, my sister-in-law lives on 5 acres, surrounded by woods. She sees deer in the trees beyond her yard, but none of her gardens are fenced in.

I, on the other hand, live in a subdivision. After our snow on Saturday, I could see the hoof prints in our back yard.

Go figure. :rolleyes:

[cookinator]

I can tell you where to shop for those tomatoes. Next month is a huge plant sale in OC where you can come out,talk to gardener type people, and buy plants for next to nothing. It's a good way to start a garden. Why we might even throw in a cilantro plant if you say the secret password,tee hee..I'm talking about spring plant sales. In our area I know a great one and I bet in other parts of this country others do the same. Gardeners are planting now for spring and summer..better variety than most commercial stores.

[Curleytop]

Ok, here goes! I have had the best luck with BETTER BOY!
They are supposed to be big, but never get big in my garden.
I live in the cool foggy section of the coast! Now my son lives only 3 miles away inland, the same elevation, but the climate is much different at his house, he has great luck with EARLY GIRL!
We also like meaty tomatoes!
We find that if we plant them this early, all they do is grow and
they do not yet bloom and set fruit. Perhaps if you go to a local nursery, NOT ONE OF THE BIG SUPER STORES, something like
Armstrongs, a more professional atmosphere, ask a certified nursery person, NOT A CLERK, tell them where you live, and they will give you some guidance.
I live in LA county, on the Palos Verdes Peninsula