The Poultry Keeper

Lisa · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:39 pm Post subject: Tomatoes

What varieties of tasty tomatoes would anyone recommend. I need to grow them outside....

I tried Tumbler in hanging baskets once, but wasn't very impressed with the flavour Confused

Don't mind what size they are (cherry, normal or beefsteak).

Will go in pots at home, or on the allotment - just want tasty ones Very Happy

NannyP · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:54 pm Post subject:

My best taste and crop has been Gardeners Delight, small but very sweet and tasty. That's all I'll get this year. If they are going in grow bags, I suggest double layer, so that when you need to stake them, the cane can go in a good depth Very Happy

nigel · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 4:02 pm Post subject:

We did Gardeners Delight last year, as Nanny P says good flavour and a cherry sized Tomato, It's a cordon variety so remember to take out the side shoots.

I'd also second the suggestion fo a double depth growbag it gives more rooting area too.

This year we're doing Nova, an Italian paste tomato and Clementine a yellow cherry tomato. I wanted Broad Ripple Yellow Currant but it was sold out.

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

Good tip for double bagging...wouldn't of thought of that!

pollypekin · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Kent

I have just planted my tomatoes in the greenhouse - I only put in 5 plants - 4 more plants are still in pots, they are the weakest plants, but hopefully, they'll grow Laughing

I have had a few bantams in the greenhouse during the winter, so the tomatoes should have plenty of fertiliser!! Very Happy

They are cherry tomatoes, Gardeners Delight! we prefer these as they have much more flavour than large tomatoes, sally xxx

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

our local radio station has a gardeners question and answer programme for 3hrs on a Saturday and one time they mentioned about putting the growbags on their sides so that you had more depth for the tomatoes ~ all these great minds on here ~ don't need the radio programme.

bird_babe · Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 473 Location: wales

I grew sun gold tomatoes last year they are an orange cherry tomato. they are a little pricey for the seed but the taste is really worth it. I would`t grow any other now they are Delicious well worth a try !!!!!!

Heather · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 10:29 pm Post subject:

Summayah great minds think alike - i was just about to say about the growbags on their sides thing Very Happy

does seem to work well

Nigel where did you find the broad ripple yellow currant ? I have been looking for fresh supply for years - I gat some from Totally tomatoes a few years ago - but the seem to have folded Sad

there was also a pink one called ping pong that I have never found since

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 10:38 pm Post subject:

Tried tomatoes outside here last year - just to see what would happen - got plants, few flowers, no tomatoes. Greenhouse to be is still windows leaning against the shed. No tomatoes this year.

nigel · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:53 am Post subject:

Future Foods listed Broad Ripple Yellow Currant, but were out of stock when I tried to order them this year.

Nicky's Seeds is also worth a look if you're after something out of the ordinary. I quite fancied the tomato they do with a napped skin like a peach Shocked

Nigel

forgot to say on the future foods site the catalogue is under the marrow icon as I notice it's not labelled

Heather · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject:

Thankyou

Heather x Very Happy

Lisa · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject:

Anyone know how long tomato seeds last? I have an unopened packet of "Broad Ripple Yellow Currant" if anyone's interested Whistle

It only has one date on the back, so I don't know if Aug 2000 is the date it was packed or the recommended use by date. Would they still be any good?

It says it has 50 seeds in it - so there's some spares up for grabs if any one wants to take a chance on trying some? PM me your snail mail addie if you're interested and I'll pop some in the post.

If they are any good I'd rather they got used Smile

Lis

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

hi Lis, like you I don't like things to get wasted, and I think it's always best to give them a go, even if you have to plant 5 to get 1. I've done this before with lots of veg seeds. I'm sure someone will snap your hands off when they come back on the forum.

Heather · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:57 pm Post subject:

Hi Lis

I got this off the kitchen Garden forum :

There is a list how long seeds store . However it is very
conservative. I reckon on 6 years for beans, 10 years for tomatoes and
apart from parsnip which really only stores one or two years, all others
store quite a bit longer than stated.

Generally the numbers are for at least 50% germination. I had 30% (guess)
from a nine year old onion seed packet and near 100% from 7 year old sweet
corn. I think that you may well see reasonable germination from your old
tomato seeds.

HTH

Heather x

Btw would be interested in a few Broad ripple Yellow currant if there really are some to spare - is there anything you would like to swap them for
Though if they really survive for up to 10 years you might be better hanging onto them !