Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Tomatoes!

There are few other foods from the garden that automatically conjure up summer when tasted.

And, though it is still rainy and cold here in Portland, Oregon right now I have found that it is never too early to start thinking about the tomatoes of the coming summer.

This year, I am growing nine varieties of tomatoes here in our garden - some cherry, some for canning and some for slicing.

After last summer's miserable weather (no tomatoes to be had due to the cooler temps - grrr!), I feel like I am due a do-over.

Starts for sale...

In other news, I am planning to grow and sell tomato starts again this year. They will be ready for pick up by Mother’s day May 8 and will be in four-inch pots for $2.50 each.

I am taking orders right now, and will have some additional starts on-hand on a first come, first served basis.

Cherry Tomatoes

  • Gold nugget: Gold Nugget plants are loaded with 1 inch, round golden fruit from early in the season 'til frost. Fruits are unusually rich and sweet flavored when ripe. (Determinate, 60 days)

  • Orange pixie: This plant’s strong, short vines make it the perfect tomato for containers and window boxes. Yellow- orange fruit is just over an inch in diameter and has excellent flavor. (Determinate, 52 days)

  • Sun gold: The unique flavor of this tomato gives it an almost "cult" following. The plants will be loaded with clusters of eight to fourteen tomatoes about an inch in diameter throughout the summer until frost. May be grown in containers with support. (Indeterminate, 57 days)

Sauce/Paste Tomatoes

  • Heinz: A reliable, early-maturing standard processing tomato that produces loads of fruit all at the same time. If you have lots of canning to do, this is your tomato! (Determinate plants, 75–80 days)

  • San marzano: This classic Italian paste tomato is considered by many to be the world's best! A low sugar, low-acid tomato, it has a high solids content and excellent flavor. The oblong red fruits are 3"-4" long and 1.5" wide. (Indeterminate, 80 days)

Slicing Tomatoes

  • Brandywine: Amish heirloom with famous distinct flavor, grown since 1885. Fruits are 10 to 14 oz., dark reddish pink, tender and juicy. (Indeterminate, heirloom potato-leafed plants, 85 days)

  • Pineapple: Large, irregular yellow fruits are suffused with red streaks that radiate from a red interior. The flavor is rich and fruity. (Indeterminate, heirloom, 95 days)

Novelty Tomatoes

I am trying these this year because they are absolutely eye catching and are known for their great taste.

  • Japanese Black Trifele: Pear-shaped fruit has green-streaked shoulders, deepening to a burnished mahogany and finally to a darkened, nearly black base. The meaty interior has similar, opulent shades and an incomparable, almost indescribably complex and rich flavor to match. The fruit reach 2 1/2-3 inches long and wide and are very crack-resistant. Despite the name, this thoroughbred has its origins in Russia. (Indeterminate, heirloom potato-leafed plants, 80-85 days)

  • Green Zebra: This unique tomato is very flavorful and sweet, yet has a zingy and well-balanced taste that isn't too acidic. Mature fruits are golden green with forest green stripes and reach 3 inches in diameter.

About the above descriptions: I have culled these descriptions and images from their seed packets and catalogs – ask if you have additional questions.

3 comments:

  1. Ooohh...can't wait to try the Japanese Black Trifele! The Green Zebra (from one of your starts) was one of my best producers last year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We're in!
    Tony (my husband) and I would like to order
    Japanese Black Trifele (2)
    Brandywine (2)
    Pineapple
    Sun gold
    Gold nugget (2)
    san marzano
    Let me know how we should keep in touch!
    Sheilagh

    ReplyDelete
  3. Judi wants:
    1 Sungold
    1 Pineapple
    1 Japanese Black Trifele

    I'll come over and get them when they're ready and see how your urban garden dream is coming along!

    (I have no idea what my profile is!)

    ReplyDelete