...for in the depths of winter, i need to invest in something like this:
...i've smelled it before- it really smells like a big fat juicy tomato on the vine... YUMMM!
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it would be especially helpful when im getting bombarded by colorful seed catalogs- OH MY!
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but now to figure out what ive got left over from last year...
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& i did save some tomato seeds last fall- im excited to see how they fare!
...this year, SO FAR (and i havent even been to the greenhouses yet!) it looks like ill be growing:
VINTAGE WINE
-absolutely my favorite tomato of the moment; heavy producer with gorgeous markings, uniform size- great slicer and perfect signature flavor...some weighing upwards of a pound!
DR. WYCHES YELLOW
-nice yellow color with great flavor. 8-10 oz fruits
CRNKOVIC YUGOSLAVIAN
-super slicer, awesome tomato flavor. another fav... also upwards of a pound
BLOODY BUTCHER
-deep dark crimson red fruits are a bit larger than cherry-size.
WHITE QUEEN
-these are stunning- white, with good flavor. very pretty sliced amongst other varieties and colors
GOLDEN JUBILEE
-kind of an orange color, very prolific and a sturdy plant. smaller, 4-6 oz fruits
BIG ZEBRA
-super funky markings of all colors. maybe doesnt taste quite as awesome as it looks, but im willing to try it again, pending a better growing season.
SAN MARZANO
-roma, paste variety- very hardy. good for sauces
RED & YELLOW PEARS
love the shape, and theyre always a dependable producer.
COSTOLUTO GENOVESE
these have gorgeous ruffle-y 'shoulders'. beautiful italian heirloom.
CHOCOLATE CHERRY
-funky brownish cherry tomato with perfect flavor. they are extremely prolific, growing in big clusters.
GIANT BELGIUM
very big, upwards of 2 pounds! great slicer with great flavor.
GREEN ZEBRA
-smaller, 4-6oz fruits remain green and develop darker green 'stripes'. must 'feel' for ripeness. great addition to salads with other varieties
BLACK FROM TULA
i love this one. deep red-purple color and great flavor. not super heavy bearing, but ill give it a third season
CREAM SAUSAGE
roma-style paste tomato, yellow in color. very prolific grower. good for sauces.
I also have about 7 varieties that i saved from last year that im not too sure about what the variety is- itll be a surprise! im also swapping seeds this year with about 4 people, so ill just hafta see what comes up!! ;)
i LOVE these seed resources:
they have such great variety and also you can get most everything in bulk!
ive ordered from them more than once and theyre very consistent.
also, baker creek ROCKS:
i aspire to be them someday- it all started when he was young and it has blossomed into a hugely successful heirloom seed movement. amazing selection!
and of course good ol'
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i love recycling so i use seed plug flats leftover from greenhouses spring plant shipments- theyre great in more ways than one and plus, i can usually get 'em for free!! yay!
to fill- just use a fine germination mix, then add about 1/3 as much of plain dirt. dont use miracle grow or any of that garbage dirt in a bag. its got a lot of perlite (which isnt bad, its like volcanic rock or something-not styrofoam) but also weird fertilizers and god knows what else, so try and buy a good organic variety.
mix medium and dirt together and wet down, not sopping wet- you shouldnt be able to wring any water out when you squeeze it. plus its just easier to wet it down first, than to to try and moisten dry medium when its in the plug trays.
SO then, ready to plant!
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to be continued... ;)
