Today, I’m chatting about the varieties of tomatoes I’m growing in 2021!
My favorite places to source seeds:
MIGardener (use code JESS10 for discount): https://migardener.com/
Botanical Interests: https://bit.ly/3shd31Q
Wild Boar Farm: https://wildboarfarms.com/
Baker Creek: https://www.rareseeds.com/
Fruition Seeds: https://www.fruitionseeds.com/
Videos Mentioned:
Separating seedlings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siqd7DVojso
How to grow the best tomatoes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMlxoBuqObA
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I freeze my cherry tomatoes whole, I cut the stem top part off and I use freezer bags gallon and 2 gallon, when you need them for soup etc. just take out what you need, they don't stick together in bag and then run water over them for 2 seconds and skin falls off. easy, quick and fresh flavor, drop in soup and no jars to clean, cherry tomatoes are very good to freeze
I am soooooo "geeky excited" this year because I'm planting a lot of heirloom varieties for my first time! Including Abe Lincolns! I think I only have one hybrid and no standard. Which I probably should have considered when I picked the varieties that I picked out. I didn't think about them not producing as much as regular plants. Doesn't matter. I'm super excited!
I have 25 tomato plants growing right now and only have room for six! It’s almost impossible for me to toss seedlings! If I won the lottery I’d be like YAY now I can grow all the tomatoes! I love how passionate you are about tomatoes! I love love love them!!
Yes we are excited about our tomatoes ☺️
Speaking of tomato varieties, last yr. a friend gave me a flat of Big Mama paste tomato ( F1 Hybrid & a Burpee variety from what I've seen looking it up ) and WOW – AMAZING production ( they are indeterminate is probably why ) and LARGE ! Way to get a LOT of sauce from fewer plants ! I prefer open pollinated myself too, nowadays, as I'm planning on moving quickly to becoming self-sufficient for all necessary seeds but have to recommend this variety. I can some spaghetti & pizza sauce but a lot plain, as that's what my mom did only, when I was a kid ( she only learned to water bath can ) and am more used to using that yet. I have done salsa & that ( tho I also add them to other sauce ) is where I use my extra cherry tomatoes. I just cut em in half for extra chunky salsa. The "black cherry" cherry tomatoes are the bomb ! I also want to pass on that Jim Kovaleski ( the nomadic gardener, featured often on Pete Kanaris' YouTube channel and seen on Justin Rhodes' Great American Farm Tour Y.T. series ) grew the variety " 4th of July" last year in Florida and it had no blight even in their humidity & even when leaning on another plant that had it. Thanks for all of your great info, Jess ! PS : Italian pepperoncini peppers are like that for me, the one pepper I never want to not grow – their flavor…. ! PSS : My friend gave me the flat of Big Mamas because she'd misplaced/forgotten about them and had already bought more. They were in pretty bad shape, and small and many looked more dead than not but I top-dressed em with worm castings ( what I had around ) and watered that in & they looked way better right away. Planted them into a borrowed, new garden spot (due to still being in an apartment ) which turned out to be VERY compacted under where they'd tilled it ( I prefer no-till btw) , there's been a thing there b4 which compacted things badly , I later found out. And, it was prone to flooding in one part of my tomato area. SO, even with all that against them, & sub-par staking ( I'd assumed they were determinate, as the pastes I knew are ).. they did SOOO well for me !
I'm finding the Sort Roloise to be very fragile seedlings. Anyone have a tip? I'm in 7b
It is so funny to see you growing that Stone Ridge tomato. That’s close to where I am. I have those Summer Sunrise tomato seeds, I bought them because they are container friendly so I am curious to see how those turn out. Love the Hudson Valley Seed Company. I buy all my seeds from them and Fruition Seeds.
Fun video, I wish I had more space to try more variety! We make a delicious cherry tomato sauce that’s nice and light and perfect for end of summer pasta.
Please do a tomato taste test this year. I love watching those!
I have a question about seedlings – I had my tomato seedlings under grow lights in my basement. They weren't really growing so I moved them upstairs about a week ago where there is more light (in addition to grow lights) and it's warmer. I think they weren't growing because they were too cold, but can anyone let me know if you think they can catch up? I have about 5-6 week until I have to plant out.
I love hearing about all of your favorite tomato varieties and why you love and grow them. Please continue these video's.
I'm just watching this on the 17th and really hope we will get to see all of your new goodies from the plant sale today!
I spent years looking for this kind of info — real talk about the various varieties. Thank you so much for doing this for us. I only do 4 or 5 plants, so my choices need to be good! The seed companies only tell you the pros, never the cons. I'm so happy you make these videos. Last year I did a "battle of the cherries" comparing Purple Bumble Bee to Blueberry, and my results (NW Pennsylvania) were exactly as you said: Blueberry is very productive and alluring, but I thought the Bumblebee was better tasting, while still being very beautiful and interesting. I love that my Bumble Bees very rarely cracked – and they were crowned Cherry Champion in my garden. Also, on your recommendation, I planted Big Rainbow last year, and it was a hit with me and especially the people I shared them with. I only buy transplants from the local nurseries, so I'm at their mercy, but I'll be taking your list and seeing which ones I can find.
Anyone have experience with Super Sioux or Druzba tomato? I read that they’re on the acidic side which is what I prefer but no experience growing them until year. They’ve already taken off in my NC garden.
Hi Jess, I love your videos and have learned so much from you. I'm excited to hear your news tomorrow!
Have you ever considered grafting a few Brandywines? Some strong root stock might keep you from being frustrated with them, in honor of your grandad.
Also, I don't recall hearing you mention celery. That could be a great filler in your beds.
Anyway, thank you, please keep the engaging, entertaining, and educational videos coming. Hello 'Miah, the boys, and the critters. Take care.
There's an heirloom seed company out of Missouri called White Harvest Seed Company. They are a great small business, so so very helpful and very nice. They have your sliver slicer cucumbers, red noodle beans, of course brandywines, and just a great variety in general. I love shopping small family run businesses and Mike even helped me plan out my garden one year using companion planting! Germination rates were fantastic as well.
Jess, I just re-watched this and caught your comment near the end about you hoping this didn't cost us too much money. Several seed companies are richer because of me watching your videos! But I am even richer for it because otherwise I might have never known about, and tasted such deliciousness! Thank you!
Jess, your tomato talk is always one of the highlights of the coming growing season. All the best to you and your family.
Thank you for the VALIDATION!!!!!!!! That is EXACTLY what i was thinking and then you said it. Confirmation…
Which tomatoes do you recommend for fried green tomatoes?
I've seen in a couple past videos that you've been meaning to grow Orange Roussolini from MIGardener, but you misplaced/forgot about your seed packet in previous years. Did those make it into the dirt for this season? I have almost two dozen seedlings going from an ebay seller who got their original seeds from Luke, and I'm super excited to grow them and give plants away to all my friends! If you need some seeds for this season, I can spare a few seeds from the backup stash I kept for next year in case this year's plants fail for whatever reason. Let me know if you want me to send them your way!
I tried sweetheart last year and didn't like it very much.
Jess, what do you plan on doing with your crop when you move? Does Jill inherit all of your harvest?
Have you ever grown sweat pea currant little tomatoes?
I thought you used red solo cups for your seeds / seedlings. Several years ago I watched a video of you showing lots of the seeds you had and you had a lot of them organized in 3 ring binders. I wanted to watch that again but I can’t find it. I’d appreciate it if you would tell me the title of that video, approximate date — something that will help me find it again. I wanted to get some ideas on organizing my seeds. Thanks.
Have you ever tried the Costeluto Fiorentino, I think that's the spelling. I get my seeds from Territorial Seeds. They are really a beautiful squat type tomato.