This blog is started at the suggestion of my daughter who wants a record of my annual efforts in growing tomatoes. It is now January and I have already started planning the 2011 crop. In that I have been buying and saving seed for about 30 years, the first step was to take an inventory of my seed supply. I freeze all unused seed at the end of each season and have some dating back to the 1970's. Originally I simply seeded enough for my use, but, over the years I have become the local supplier of seedlings for many friends and fellow tomato growers. This year's inventory includes the following varities:
Dona, Goliath, Goose Creek, Indian Stripe, Brandywine, Pruden's Purple, Delicious, Big Beef, Brandy Boy, Mortgage Lifter, Park's Whopper, Kellog's Breakfast, Nyagous, Paul Roberson, Marion, Better Boy, Big Zac, Giant Belgium, First Lady, Box Car Willie, Super Fantastic, Polish Giant, Costaluto Genevesia, Cherokee Purple and Porterhouse. Also the following Cherry tomatoes: Black Cherry, Sun Gold, Sweet 100. Black Pearl and Red Lightening.
I have ordered 200 planting pots and carrying trays which should be in any day now.
I will start the germination process by planting 10 or 12 seed of each variety selected in small aluminum bread trays with holes punched in the bottom. I use MiracleGrow potting soil to start the seedlings. I normaly start the seed on Valentine's day and transplant the seedlings to individual pots the first week in March. The seedlings will be ready to take to the garden on tax day, but I wait to set out the plants until Good Friday or when the pecan trees bud (whichever occurs first).
After planting the seed, I keep the trays inside under a grow light until the first true leaves appear. When they sprout I keep them in a South window with a controlled temperature of 70-75 degrees. When they are transplanted to individual pots I take them to the greenhouse and try not to let the temp get below 60 degrees at night.
This year I will start my favorites which have proven themselves over the years to put in my plot and supply to friends. Dona is our favorite for home consumption and most of my friends insist on Better Boy. I have found that these two along with Goliath, Park's Whopper, Big Beef and Indian Stripe produce the best in our climate with the least disease. I will also plant Brandywine, Porterhouse, Kellog's Breakfast and Delicious to try and win the Big Tomato contest. (I have tried for thirty years and am always beaten by someone from Carrol County). My very favorite cherry is Sun Gold followed close behind by Black Cherry. I will also plant Sweet 100 and that way will have a colorful (red, black and gold) medely of cherries. I always seed what my friends call "exotics" and force them on my friends for testing. This year will be Pruden's Purple, Paul Roberson and a few others.
I will attempt to post the progress of my garden this year to include, seeding, transplanting, preparing the garden, planting, staking, mulching fertilizing, watering etc. etc.
Please stay tuned.
