BVV's 2018 grow list

[BigVanVader]

I always have so much trouble with this. I'm focusing more on early/mid det. varieties this year because managing 100 Indet, tomatoes in my climate, with a full time job, and a 2 year old (+ a newborn this year) is not only a ton of work; but I also have had disappointing production most years due to extreme disease pressure. I have come to realize that at least 60% of people buying tomatoes prefer a hard red tasteless tomato, and I prefer less work. With that in mind here is my list so far...it will change

Determinate tomatoes
Mountain Merit x 10
Ot'Jagodka x 10 (Lofthouse)
Big Hill x10 (Lofthouse)
Rodney F3 (bower cross) x 10
Rainbow Jazz Heart (new artisan seeds variety) x 10
Carolina Gold x 5
Taxi x 5
Rio Grande x10
Fiaschetto di Manduria x10

Indet. tomatoes
Momotaro x5
Eva Purple Ball x5
Big Beef x 10
Marnero x15
Dwarf Mr.Snow x10
ISPL x10
Lucid Gem x2
Lithium Sunset x2

Cherry Tomatoes
Karma Pink x2
Sungold x5
Sunrise BB x3
Cherry Roma x3
Brads Atomic x 2
Black Cherry x5
Maglia Rosa x10
Green Bee x2

I don't think I can fit all this in but I'm an optimist that with staggered planting I can. Also adding a few new beds Will be growing 1 plant of several other as well just for seed saving, crossing, and to trial them.

[Koala Doug]

That's a mighty fine looking list!

[Nan_PA_6b]

Looks good. Question, are you planting so many Maglia Rosas because they are that good, that pretty, unproductive, or what?

Nan

[BigVanVader]

Originally Posted by Nan_PA_6b

Looks good. Question, are you planting so many Maglia Rosas because they are that good, that pretty, unproductive, or what?

Nan

So many because everyone loves them. This pretty Asian lady comes and buys 3 to 5lbs every week (if I have em). They aren't super productive compared to a hybrid cherry but that is the only negative. Great taste & looks, stay short so easy to manage, taste good even when not ripe, unique look so customers instantly remember them by appearance. I'm going to give some to a few local chefs this year and see what kind of response I get.

[jmsieglaff]

Looking forward to your growing pictures. I'm trying Magila Rosa for the first time this year. I'll be very curious to see those Rodneys from bower, they were some very nice looking tomatoes in her post.

[pmcgrady]

I've got my 2018 list for peppers and tomatoes...
96 tomatoes and 240 peppers, I'd post them, but don't feel like typing for a half hour...
But here's a primer of my pepper grow list.
50 ft rows/ 24 peppers each
1) Japanese
2) Japanese
3) Aji
4) Bell
5) Bell
6) NuMex
7) Hot
8) Hot
9) Speciality
10) Speciality

Going heavy on peppers this year...

[Banadoura]

Hey Big,

Do you plant Taxi for the taste or for the looks?

My taxi was a great producer, uniform saladette size, perfect texture but really no taste!

Just wondering

Cheers

[BigVanVader]

Originally Posted by Banadoura

Hey Big,

Do you plant Taxi for the taste or for the looks?

My taxi was a great producer, uniform saladette size, perfect texture but really no taste!

Just wondering

Cheers

Just a dependable producer and early. I almost cut it this year because its so bland, and still might, but early yellows are few and far between.

[Gerardo]

with that lineup you'll no doubt have plenty of product.

fingers crossed and this year's disease pressure doesn't pack a punch

[BigVanVader]

I hope so. Having a co-op buying from us now we can move all we can grow, and I need tomatoes that hold up a bit better on a shelf.

I can see why big commercial growers only grow rock hard baseball's now. I've lost a ton of sales from my tomatoes being viewed as to soft. It's pretty nuts...but I gotta grow (some) of the crap they want to make good money.

[hl2601]

Your list looks terrific! I am wondering about Green Bee? Haven't heard of that one, can you tell us more?

[BigVanVader]

Unreleased variety from Artisan Seeds (Fred Hempel). He was nice enough to send me a few to try as im somewhat of a fanboy of his

https://store.growartisan.com/product/firma-verde

[Gerardo]

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

I hope so. Having a co-op buying from us now we can move all we can grow, and I need tomatoes that hold up a bit better on a shelf.

I can see why big commercial growers only grow rock hard baseball's now. I've lost a ton of sales from my tomatoes being viewed as to soft. It's pretty nuts...but I gotta grow (some) of the crap they want to make good money.

It's insane how convenience trumps all other considerations, including flavor. Glad you're nimble and can react accordingly and swim with the tide, not against it.

I have a feeling those determinates in successive plantings will carry most of the weight.

[hl2601]

Growing for an audience and of course money puts a whole different spin on things. Hearty good luck wishes for your growing season and all of your choices! Glad to hear about Green Bee- Cant wait to hear your comments. From the forums it seems Fred is a wonderful tomato pioneer and its exciting to hear of new things!Thanks for your response.
Heide

[BigVanVader]

Originally Posted by hl2601

Growing for an audience and of course money puts a whole different spin on things. Hearty good luck wishes for your growing season and all of your choices! Glad to hear about Green Bee- Cant wait to hear your comments. From the forums it seems Fred is a wonderful tomato pioneer and its exciting to hear of new things!Thanks for your response.
Heide

Thank you! Yes Fred is a great breeder and a great guy. We need more breeders like him in the world.