Tomatoes 2018 - What will you be attempting to grow this year

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Same here, polytunnel growing only. They really don't like being outside.

Not surprised in your neck of the woods!

Don't think I have ever tried growing a tomato outside

To me, that just seems "So Wrong"

Might give it a bash this year, just out of "Curiosity"

[MarkPelican]

I haven't properly started looking at the choice yet, but (as ever) all the ones from the seed swap that I haven't grown before (~22 varieties) plus my favourites (Summer Cider, Kibits Ukranian), plus my grown out Oleron Yellow (7th year) and then some to make a balance of colours and sizes.

[Scarlet]

^^^ Are you going to try them all?! Nuts

[Tripmeup]

No decision made yet but definite grows will be:

Black Cherry
Black Russian
Chocolate Cherry
Gardener's Delight
Goldkrone
Paul Robeson
Rosella
Vesen Mieur

I think I grew approx 39 varieties last year (approx 91 plants, some of which I gave away), but my aim is to grow less plants this year
I do say that every year though

[Snoop Puss]

Cherry toms - the usuals, but only one of each
Gardener's Delight
Sungold
Floridity

Larger toms
Outdoor Girl (recommended by Cadalot) - 2
Cuor di Bue - 4
Big Daddy - 5
Romano Pantanesco - 4
Rosados de Barbastro - 4 (Might possibly drop or reduce these and grow more Big Daddies, which were the winners for taste and texture last year, plus they started cropping earlier)

Plus - not sure how many of each yet.
Fiaschetto
Marmande

[MarkPelican]

^^^ Are you going to try them all?! Nuts

I need the pictures for my website.

I find it interesting how many different varieties are grown and yet (whilst some are so similar I wonder whether they are the same) most of them are different either in taste or appearance.

[Scarlet]

Hmm, suppliers think they can change the names on things....they do it with Chillies too, and often when we get a variety with a foreign name they will give it an English one!

[Scarlet]

I think I grew approx 39 varieties last year (approx 91 plants, some of which I gave away), but my aim is to grow less plants this year
I do say that every year though

Me too . .

[Bacchus]

Cherry toms - the usuals, but only one of each
Gardener's Delight
Sungold
Floridity

Larger toms
Outdoor Girl (recommended by Cadalot) - 2
Cuor di Bue - 4
Big Daddy - 5
Romano Pantanesco - 4
Rosados de Barbastro - 4 (Might possibly drop or reduce these and grow more Big Daddies, which were the winners for taste and texture last year, plus they started cropping earlier)

Plus - not sure how many of each yet.
Fiaschetto
Marmande

Big daddy's are F1's I understand. Do you think they are worth the extra expense?

I don't really like tomatoes that much but a nice big slice of a beefsteak in a burger does go down well...

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

I'm not a real lover of beefsteaks, although I did grow "Super Marmande" the year before last, although not many fruits to the bush, but they were huge and very, very meaty!

Might have a bash at Marks "Summer Cider" this year as they do look VERY nice!

[Snoop Puss]

Big daddy's are F1's I understand. Do you think they are worth the extra expense?

I don't really like tomatoes that much but a nice big slice of a beefsteak in a burger does go down well...

I'd recommend Big Daddy and Pantano Romanesco as being well worth growing. Big Daddy plants don't like going thirsty as the toms can split if not kept regularly watered. But I grow them every year now and wouldn't be without them. I started growing Pantano a couple of years ago. I'm half tempted not to grow any Marmandes, as they and the Pantanos are very similar. The Pantanos are very vigorous plants and the tomatoes are a bit bigger than Marmandes, but the Marmandes kept going longer, even if the last ones were quite small.

Conditions where I am are pretty good for growing tomatoes outdoors. County Down might be another matter! Pantano Romanesco are so vigorous, I'm sure they'd do well anywhere. But if you want a slice of tomato that's better than tomato sauce in a burger, then Big Daddy's what you want.

I bought seeds for all three of these from Premier Seeds direct. They're currently selling Big Daddy at 99 p for 12 seeds, 69 p for five. Not too bad for an experiment. Pantano Romanesco are a hundred seeds for 99 p. TOMATO BIG DADDY | Tomato | Premier Seeds Direct ltd

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Ya know what "Snoop" I'm drooling over the look of them! ......................

[greenishfing]

2 Sungold plants for my husband and a packet of Crimson Crush seeds for me (and the extended family)

[geepee]

Ya know what "Snoop" I'm drooling over the look of them! ......................

Me too Deano......couldn't have put it better myself.. Definitely going for it ..

[Snoop Puss]

^^ + Deano, just keep the watering regular and I'm sure you'll get some delicious fruit.

Edited because I forgot to say: They also peel really easily when ripe if anyone in your family isn't overly fond of the skin. No need to drop into boiling water or any of that stuff. Just prick with a sharp knife and pull the skin away.