Those folks who planted some early producing, and determinate tomato varieties have had better luck at getting a bumper crop. Growing a diversity of crops and varieties wins out again! If you would like to augment your own crop, look-up a nearby farmer's market.
If you want to learn more about tomato diseases, look over this U of MN Extension bulletins:
Tomato Diseases
Extension also has been supporting seed trials grown and reported by Master Gardeners. Tomatoes get a lot of attention during the seed trials and below summarizes their results which are published every year in The Northern Gardener magazine. Tomatoes of various kinds were tested against each other since 1988. Past winners are:
- 1988 (determinate early): Celebrity VFNT hybrid
- 1989 (determinate midseason): Mountain Pride VF hybrid
- 1990 (cherry): Sweet Million FNTL hybrid
- 1991 (paste): Square Paste
- 1993 (yellow, orange, gold): Lemon Boy hybrid
- 1994 (Beefsteak): Supersteak hybrid
- 1995 (main season hybrid large red determinate): Celebrity Hybrid
- 1998 (container types): Cherry Gold
- 2000 ((indeterminate red hybrid main season): (tie) Park's Whopper and Big Boy
- 2003 (heirloom varieties): Brandywine
- 2005 (grape types): (tie) Juliet and Yellow Jelly Bean
- 2007 (heirlooms): Pineapple
- 2008 (slicing types - past winners): Lemon Boy
- 2010 (paste): not yet evaluated
Several varieties selected as best by Master Gardeners have also been favorites at the Tomato Tastin' Experience (bolded above), a useful correlation for tomato fiends.
image credit: University of Minnesota
This makes me sad :-(
ReplyDelete