I need some enabling -

[happydog]

I'm just getting started with heirloom tomatoes and need some advice with varieties. I want rich, tangy, zippy tomato flavor, NOT 'sweet' and NOT 'mild'. Every time I think I've found a good one, I read a different catalog describing the same tomato as sweet.

I think I've narrowed down my ordering to just Sandhill Preservation (cause they have KBX) and Tomato Fest (I can't stop reading their descriptions) Or maybe not! Who else is a MUST HAVE catalog?

I'm in zone 6 in the North Carolina mountains. Summers are cool and breezy. Can you tell me what I MUST try?

Thanks! I've spent several days reading T'ville and learned a lot. I just ordered Carolyn's book and have figured out how to justify growing 100 tomato plants for only 2 people. Thanks Tomatovillians! You guys are good!!

[Nightshade]

I have the same 2 people problem...but I've been working on my justifications all winter. They include friends, neighbors I haven't met yet, a local food bank. a freezer, a dehydrator, and a pressure canner. This coming summer's abundance will be most welcome next winter.

I'm not a sweet and mild person either. I found the taste of Super Sioux just right...tomato-ey and tangy, like good Ketchup. I'm growing it and Sioux this summer to compare them side by side. If you reseach it, you will find that it has a small but dedicated cadre of fans who think it's the perfect tomato taste.

Jan

[Moonglow]

Welcome, happydog . I'm a newbie, too. Isn't this place fun?

[Gerald51]

Originally Posted by happydog

I'm just getting started with heirloom tomatoes and need some advice with varieties. I want rich, tangy, zippy tomato flavor, NOT 'sweet' and NOT 'mild'. Every time I think I've found a good one, I read a different catalog describing the same tomato as sweet.

I think that we are both in the same boat. I also want a more acidic tasting tomato than sweet tasting. I just skip right over the tomatoes that are described as "sweetest tasting".

I'm beginning to believe that alot of descriptions are not accurate and are written colorfully, just to sell more seed, because the descriptions vary so widely.

Gerald

[rnewste]

Originally Posted by Moonglow

Welcome, happydog . I'm a newbie, too. Isn't this place fun?

Moonglow and happydog,

Don't get too excited! You haven't yet learned of the Tomatoville "Freshman Pledge Week" where come spring, you have to cultivate the gardens of the more senior Tomatoville members.

Let's see, Moonglow you are a short commute from my garden in San Jose. See you (with your shovel and hoe in hand) on April 1.

Ray

[Dukerdawg]

Hey Happydog, nice to have another 'dawg' here! I am the same as you. I want a nice 'zippy' tomato flavor as you put it. I can appreciate a sweeter tomato, but my preferences go to the acidic side. I am always singing the praises of Sioux. To me it tastes like a tomato should. Others that have had that zing to me are Aunt Gerties Gold, Yellow Brandywine, Russian 117 and Silvery Fir Tree. Good luck finding your own tomato nirvana!

Duane

[roamwhereiwant2]

Don't get too excited! You haven't yet learned of the Tomatoville "Freshman Pledge Week" where come spring, you have to cultivate the gardens of the more senior Tomatoville members.

Still chuckling over this one!

[roamwhereiwant2]

I also like zippy tomatoes better than plain sweet ones. I'm growing Sioux and Aunt Gertie's Gold this year so I should be pretty happy. I did not enjoy Kellogg's Breakfast or Galina's last year. I was going to give Aunt Gertie's a try even though I don't seem to like yellow maters (I have a whole list of yellows that didn't move me) - but it's sounding better and better.

[Moonglow]

Originally Posted by rnewste

Moonglow and happydog,

Don't get too excited! You haven't yet learned of the Tomatoville "Freshman Pledge Week" where come spring, you have to cultivate the gardens of the more senior Tomatoville members.

Let's see, Moonglow you are a short commute from my garden in San Jose. See you (with your shovel and hoe in hand) on April 1.

Ray

Will work for food and seedlings .

[rnewste]

Moonglow,

"April Fools Day", a bit early!

Ray

[Moonglow]

My enthusiasm often gets me in trouble .

happydog, we are so lucky - - - perhaps you are luckier, craig is from NC! this is a pretty cool thread. Please disregard if you already read.

http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=437

[rnewste]

happydog,

I fully agree with Moonglow - - you are in tomato heaven in Craig's patch. He and his "posse" organize the very best tomato tasting event of all Summer. While I've not had the opportunity to attend, the photos and descriptions are outstanding! Be sure to mark your calendar for this event in 2009.

Ray

[happydog]

Wow, you guys take your enabling seriously here! I already won the tomato lottery from brokenbar and had another person pm me with some good ideas.


Oh yeah baby, tomatoes will be grown at my house!


A tomato tasting is exactly what I need. I can drive to Raleigh for that. Anytime, anywhere.

Thanks for all the input; I love tomatoville!!


Here's my list so far:
Yellow Brandywine
Russian 117
Silvery Fir Tree
Super Sioux
Aunt Gertie's Gold
Jaune Flammee
Kimberly
Germaid Red
Earl of Edgecombe
Shuntuksky Velikan
Russian Bogatyr
Sioux or Super Sioux
Mashenka
Russian 117
Ikarus
KBX
Aunt Gertie’s Gold
Noire de crimee
Heatherington Pink
Heart’s Delite
Nepal
Rutgers
Wisconsin 55
Hungarian Giant
Paul Robeson
Carrot-Like
Lescana
Lunnyi Vostorg
Maiden’s Kiss
Medvezhia Lapa
Prue
Moskovich
Fireball
Spiridonovskie
Ukrainian Heart
MATINA
STUPICE
CRYNKOVIC YUGOSLAVIAN
BOXCAR WILLIE


well, that's a modest start anyway...

[montanamato]

Eye and Victoria are two of SanD Hills best....and I have grown a ton of them...Be careful if Glenn endorses it, he only eats super sweet types...
Eye was one of the best tomatoes I have ever grown...Just about perfect for balanced flavor and texture...
Jeanne

[dice]

how to justify growing 100 tomato plants

"I need to separate the wheat from the chaff here."