tomatoes
hello,
As a beginning gardener, I've been lurking around these postings rather
overwhelmed by the level of expertise but with 28 tomato plants (8
varieties) in my backyard at the moment, I do have some comments to
contribute on tomato growing.
I agree with a previous post that picking the right variety to grow in
your region is key to having your
very own tomato heaven.
Stupice (determinate, small red juicy fruit) does very well in cool
conditions. It even set fruit last winter
here in coastal Los Angeles. I was looking forward to taste testing
winter grown tomatoes until an unexpected freeze in late december
turned my plants to brown mush. I have no idea whether winter grown fruit
is
worth the effort (it's probably an experiment I will try repeating this
year), but the point is that stupice does well in cold
temperatures. something to keep in mind for the monterey area.
Also, cherokee (large purple beefsteaks), carmellos ( medium size red
beefsteak), and green zebras (a tomato that stays green when ripe) have
produced intense tasting fruit despite this summer of cool temps and
many overcast days.
Dona and Brandywine, plants that other angelenos have raved about, have
produced rather blah tasting fruits. Maybe they needed more sun and heat
than my microclimate could offer.
So pick the right varieties for your climate and then you will see what
the fuss is about over homegrown tomatoes.
angela
coastal L.A.
sunset 24 (?)
