Favoured tomatoes

[Paul79]

As a first time tomato grower, I'm just wondering what everyones favoured varieties are?

I've got 38 plants on the go, mainly heirloom varieties including Alisa Craig, Moldovan Green, Alicante, Patio Orange, Cherokee Purple, San Moranzo, plus about 10 F1 Moneymakers.

What heirloom varieties would you recommend for reliable cropping?

[Kristen]

I hear people say that Moneymaker doesn't have much flavour.

I've bought some F1 Shirley to try next year because I hear good things about it.

Anyone else tried that?

[Paul79]

Yeah, I'm not expecting too much from the moneymakers, I only used them becasue I was given them with the advice "Eyar mate these are good for beginners!"
I have heard that they're a bit 'supermarket'. would that be right?

[Kristen]

"I have heard that they're a bit 'supermarket'. would that be right?"

Seems like the appropriate swear word, yes

[Headfry]

I grow moneymaker mainly for green tomato chutney! not much flavor, but is prolific.
A little disappointed with Sungold (first time I have grown this) - skins very tough.

[kentvegplot]

Growing 'Broad Ripple Yellow Currant' (yes, really!) for lovely sweet small yellow toms. When the catalogue said 'required vigorous pruning' it was not joking....I have not been able to keep up with its 'vigorous' habits. Should have some seeds at the end of the season if anyone wants to try it.

[rayj]

I have a dozen plants on the go at present. 6 Gardners Delight (well 7 as I bought one of them marked as Alicante in Wilkinsons) 3 Shirley and 2 Alicante. I did some years ago have about 24 plants, however I found that as they were all fruiting around the same time there was a lot of waste. But of those I have in this year, the Shirley are carrying a good crop of fruit compared to the Alicante. I had always been inclined to grow Moneymaker but although they were heavy croppers the tomatoes did not have much taste. Will know in about a week how the Shirley taste?

[gojiberry]

Am picking sungella at the moment, but I don't find them to have a lot of flavour. Have also had one or two yellow tumbling tom but same thing , no flavour. Maybe the yellow varieties don't have as much flavour, they are however way ahead of the reds for harvesting.

Ian

[markwcel]

we have had a great crop from our alicantes...lovely flavour too...

[Flummery]

Am picking sungella at the moment, but I don't find them to have a lot of flavour. Have also had one or two yellow tumbling tom but same thing , no flavour. Maybe the yellow varieties don't have as much flavour, they are however way ahead of the reds for harvesting.

Ian

I've had loads off my Golden Sunrise - not a bad flavour either. I haven't grown it before. I usually find the yellows a bit bland but this isn't. Especially sharp and tasty if grilled.

[Demeter]

This is my first year of growing a tomato and actually knowing what variety it is!

Sunbaby yellow and Tumbling tom. Neither is blow-your-socks-off yummy, but both are pretty nice - sweet and tomatoey. I especially like eating the yellow ones straight off the plant, especially on a hot day when they are really warm, almost hot, to eat...mmmm.... They are in my garden, and only 3 have made it into the house, none have got as far as the kitchen!

PS I've got some moneymakers that someone gave me, but they aren't fruiting yet.

[smallblueplanet]

I still pitch my vote for Matina, red, salad-sized, prolific, tasty.

[SarzWix]

I have;
Salt Spring Sunrise
Bloody Butcher
Amish Paste
Broad Ripple Yellow Currant
Belarus Orange
Roughwood Golden Plum
Matt's Wild Cherry
Costoluto Fiorentino
Millefleur
Sub Arctic Plenty

The only one, so far, that I will definately grow next year is Amish Paste which I got from Real Seed Co : Vine Tomato Seed

[vegnut]

I dont like the yellows to much personally, but tigrella is amongst my favourites, as well as alicante and gardeners delight.

[Teeny]

I, m growing CREAM SAUSAGE, GREEN ZEBRA, PURPLE CALABASH, BLACK CHERRY, MINI RED and SUB ARTIC PLENTY.
They were the same to grow as the rest really, not tasted yet as they are not ripe yet.
The only one ripe yet is SUB ARTIC PLENTY, taste is good, but not outstanding. Hope fully the rest will be great, once ripe.
Tina......