Well, how did we all get on with our tomatoes last year? I made the decision to grow more outdoors - bad decision! The poor plants didn't stand a chance against the wet weather and blight. Up at the plot the Sungold stood their ground and didn't succumb, they were very slow to produce any fruits, but gradually caught up, and I was still picking them in October.
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| Sungold |
In the greenhouse I grew Marmande, Alicante and Gardeners Delight which fared better
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| Marmande |
This year I am going to try a few new varieties including Bloody Butcher, Garden Peach and Red Zebra. These are from a mixed packet of seed which also includes a white tomato called Snowberry.
| Bloody Butcher |
Snowberry
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Red Zebra
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| Garden Peach |
Let's hope this year is a better year for tomatoes - plenty of sun, not too much rain and definitely no blight. So - it's seed packets and potting compost at the ready - propagators plugged in and warmed up - and let's get planting!
Your Sungold tomatoes look lovely. I only tried growing tomatoes outside once - I don't think they were too keen on the north-western weather! I only attempt to grow them in the greenhouse now.
ReplyDeleteSungold are my favourites for flavour - I usually manage to eat most of them before they even reach the kitchen.
DeleteI made the mistake of putting my tomato plants outside last year but the results werent good.I will grow more but in the green house this year.
ReplyDeleteI will still try a few outside - last year was the first one where I have had problems.
DeleteI had the same thoughts last year, more outdoor tomatoes, what a mistake we made. All my tomatoes, those grown outdoors and those in the greenhouse, had to be picked whilst still green to ripen on the windowsills. Still, they never got blight, which I know many people had to contend with last year. I'm not letting it put me off, I shall be growing outdoors again this year, surely we're due a good summer?
ReplyDeleteWe can only keep our fingers crossed and pray to the gods of gardening Jo.
DeleteWe were going to try some outdoors and then changed our minds. In the end we had a decent crop but they were so slow to ripen. The mixed pack looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to trying a few new ones although the name Bloody Butcher doesn't sound very inviting.
DeleteI don't have a greenhouse, so I always grow Outdoor tomatoes. I have done this with varying degrees of success for the past 20 years or so. I think I have only ever had one disastrous harvest - the year when I planted my toms in a raised bed, as opposed to pots, and was therefore unable to quarantine and separate them when blight struck one plant. The blight swept through the whole crop and there was nothing I could do to save it. Growing several varieties in time-spaced batches is good tactics too - avoids putting all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteThe only ones that I grow in soil are Sungold - they seem to be able to withstand anything and grow like wildfire.
DeleteI put all my tomato plants outside last summer when we went away for a few days - disaster! So this year it's either no tomatoes or no holiday... I might give 'Sungold' a try though - on your recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you'll be disappointed with Sungold - just don't go on holiday!
DeleteAll beautiful tomatoes but I especially like the look of the Marmande you grew last year. Is there a reason you're not growing them again? The Snowberries also look pretty unique too...just imagine using them in a pasta sauce!
ReplyDeleteSorry Tanya I perhaps didn't make it clear that I am growing all the ones I did last year plus the new varieties.
DeleteI grew Sungold last year in the greenhouse, along with Gardener's Delight. They both did well, and I had loads at the end of the season that ripened indoors too.
ReplyDeleteThis year the request from the tomato eater is Sungold only - he agrees with you on flavour. I thought I'd put most in the greenhouse and try a couple outdoors. Propagator at the ready :)
The tomato eater has excellent taste.
DeleteI do find a lot of these fancy-looking toms to be rather uninteresting. I shall stick to one cherry tom, six Roma, six Portuguese, and six Marmande. All outside, of course.
ReplyDeleteThe new varieties only get one chance - if they don't taste good they are off the list.
DeleteI was pleased at how I did with tomatoes last year, and surprised that although the Gardener's Delight succumbed to blight the Golden Queen didn't. I'll be growing the latter again this year along with Outdoor Girl which has been recommended to me.
ReplyDeleteAll we need is plenty of sunshine! Flighty xx
Fingers crossed Flighty
DeleteI think I will be sticking to San marzano & Gardeners delight. Both grown from seed & kept in the greenhouse. I may purchase a couple of plants of slicing tomatoes for salads from the garden centre.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many varieties to choose from that I can't resist trying a few new ones.
DeleteI've never heard of the snowberry variety, so will give that one a go. None of my tomatoes took last year due to the weather so I am determined that the greenhouse is going to be full of great stuff this year. Take care.
ReplyDeleteLast year wasn't the best for growing stuff for any of us - Chel C but I'm not going to be beaten.
DeleteInteresting that sungold does so well outside, I shall have to remember that. I am hoping to sow some tomato seeds soon, and fill one of the greenhouse with them this year, it is so windy here, I am not at all sure it would be worth trying cordons outside, but I will give tumblers a whirl.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we'll get a good summer Janet - but don't hold your breath.
DeleteI've never seen white tomatoes yet! They look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLast year I grew red and yellow, regular size and cherry tomatoes. This year I'm going to repeat the same varieties because I've got many seeds left. I'd definitely buy the white tomato seeds if I had a chance.
It will be interesting to see what they taste like and how well they grow.
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ReplyDeleteIts amazing how many tomato varieties are out there. And to think the shops offer about 3 varieties. I hope you have lots of success this year.
ReplyDeleteYou too Kelli
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