Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Too Many Tomatoes? NEVER!

I could seriously eat tomatoes EVERYDAY!  I LOVE them!  And I really love different kinds of tomatoes!  That's why The Seed Saver Exchange REALLY caught my interest and why I will be attempting to do a variety of them this year on our Rooftop Garden.  In addition to the updates I mentioned before I spoke to our outside sales person and she wants in on the garden too but seems to be more eager to start with 'starter plants' which I'm totally fine with.  I might actually get a few of those in my travels as well as local markets in the spring.  I will keep you posted!  As for some of the different kinds of things I mentioned in that previous post I thought I would elaborated on some of them today starting with the tomatoes!

Tomato, Blondkopfchen Organic - pictured above - (Solanum lycopersicum) (aka Little Blonde Girl) East German heirloom obtained by Seed Savers Exchange from Gatersleben Seed Bank. Small golden yellow 1" fruits borne in giant clusters, excellent sweet taste. Enormous yields and rarely a cracked fruit. Bears until frost. Indeterminate, 75-80 days from transplant.

As for the Blondkophchen I not only wanted a 'yellow' tomato I wanted something that would rarely 'crack'.  According to the description I think this might fit the bill. 

Next up - Tomato, Ukrainian Purple - (Solanum lycopersicum) (aka Purple Russian) Original stock of this variety came from Irma Henkel in the Ukraine. Plum shaped fruits are 3-4" long and weigh 6 ounces, generally crack-free. Great flavor, sweet and meaty. Plants are very productive. Indeterminate, 80 days from transplant.

Another Crack-Free small tomato!  I was looking for bite-sized that we could snack on at work as well as a tomato that was known for being productive.  This seems to be one of the ones that matches that 'want and need'.

Tomato, Lemon Drop Organic - (Solanum lycopersicum) Winner of SSE’s 2010 Tomato Tasting. Seed originally from Florida SSE member J. T. Sessions, who found this sport growing with his Snow White Cherry plants. Heavy sets of ½-¾" translucent yellow-green cherry tomatoes. Refreshing tart-sweet flavor. Continues producing even in cold wet growing conditions. Indeterminate, 80-90 days from transplant.

I have to admit - when I saw the NAME and description of this tomato - I couldn't pass it up!  This is the first of the 3 that was TART in addition to being sweet!  YUM!  I'm also SUPER EXCITED about this one because it says it continues producing even in cold, wet growing conditions!  Well, in Northwest Pennsylvania, I can say that is a certainty as well as on a ROOF in NW PA.

Tomato, Isis Candy - (Solanum lycopersicum) Gorgeous bicolor cherry tomatoes are red with a spectacular cat’s eye starburst on the blossom end. Rich, sweet, fruity flavor. Plants are loaded with 1½" fruits in clusters of 6-8. Bred by Joe Bratka of New Jersey. Indeterminate, 70-80 days from transplant.

Another one I first was drawn to because of the name.  Rich, Sweet, AND Fruity Flavor!?  I'm sooooo there!

Next up...Tomato, Tasty Evergreen Organic - (Solanum lycopersicum) (aka Evergreen) A favorite of Ben Quisenberry. Originally introduced by Glecklers Seedmen of Metamora, Ohio, in 1956. A green-when-ripe variety with medium-sized beefsteak fruits. Grapefruit yellow when fully ripe; flesh and gel remain green inside. Luscious and tender, strong sweet flavor. Very productive. Indeterminate, 75 days from transplant.

I figured the more color the BETTER!  I'm trying to get as much color as possible with the things I choosing to try!  I'm drawn to this one, too, because it's considered to be "Very Productive".

Black Cherry - I didn't forget about you!

Tomato, Black Cherry Organic - (Solanum lycopersicum) Vigorous regular leaf plants covered in clusters of 1" round cherry tomatoes. Dusky purple-black fruits bursting with rich flavor—sweet and complex. Indeterminate, 65-75 days from transplant.

I just can't pass them up!  The perfect snack tomato and go-to tomato!  They look amazing and I can even SMELL them thru the screen!

So there is a quick look at the Tomatoes we are planning on ordering thru the Seed Saver Exchange Catalog. 

NOTE: The Product Descriptions & Photos are located on their website as well.

14 comments:

  1. I could and do eat tomatoes all day. I take the small ones to the movie theater with me! Great write up! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. That's a GREAT idea! To take them to the Movie Theatre! Why have I never done that!? You're a Brilliant Trend Setter! :)

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  2. Mmmmm I LOVE tomatoes! We used to grow them back when we had a garden living in Canada. I miss those days. We tried growing them on our balcony here in California last summer... epic fail. Ah well. You guys should totally grow them! They are pretty easy to grow in Ontario.

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    1. We are in PA - About 2 hours or so from Ontario, tho, the weather is nearly the same :)

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  3. Yum, agreed on tomatoes! I hope hope to plant many in our garden this year if drought conditions improve here. A couple of years ago our garden went absolutely nuts with them late into the season. I loaded the dehydrator and had dried pantry tomatoes for sauce all winter, it was great!

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    1. That's awesome! For Sauces! YUM! What kind of tomatoes - do you remember!?

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  4. We use starter plants for some of our gardening, it's a great way to get a jump on planting.

    I'd say make sure you're using the proper soil and what type of light is needed for the produce you'll be planting. Also be sure you have a plan for the pests that will come and start chomping on the leaves/produce.

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    1. We are thinking that the bird will be our biggest problem on the roof so we have some old window screens we are going to put over the seeds and such when we will be away for a while - like the weekends for example. Casey said he will bring the soil and I'm sure we will be getting some additional to mix in as well :)

      During the week - at least 5 of us - will be checking on them probably 4 to 8 times a day!

      We might have a problem with it getting too hot up there when the summer is in full swing so we might put something under the planters we are using, too, or we could always rotate them if needbe

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    2. Oh I'm thinking of the various insects that love to feast on certain produce. Although many are small they can really damage your efforts, if you're not proactive.

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  5. I know we will get some on the Roof and some we won't...but we will certainly be on the loo out for them! :)

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  6. I love tomatoes, raw...in salads, sandwiches or just eat like that as a side. Not too crazy about it cooked, same thing with cucumber.

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    1. One of my favorite foods! Can't wait to see them grow!

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  7. Hi Jennifer,
    You are absolutely right! Tomatoes in all of their glorious forms, flavors and colors are always in my kitchen and in my meals. Thank you so much for sharing this delightful post on the Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Blog Hop! I appreciate it!

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    1. Thanks for the feedback and encouragement! I hope to post more findings as well as hopes for the rooftop garden soon! I have a few things up my sleeve for today as well!

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