Twice a year I talk about starting tomatoes from seed.
And, at this time of the year it takes six weeks to have
tomato transplants by March 1. I will be sowing my seeds
around mid January. Do get your seeds now from the
garden center or you might order from a popular
Florida tomato seed source at The company lists about
400 varieties. Here are the varieties that are easy to
find that I will be growing with some comments. All are
indeterminate types except where noted. This means
they grow and fruit indefinitely but grow big plants.
Sweet Million - Cherry tomato that's a
prolific producer with nematode resistance
Juliet - Grape tomato with lots of
fruits - no nematode resistance but a favorite
Snow White - Yellowish cherry
tomato with good flavor but no nematode resistance
Big Beef - Large slicer with good
flavor and nematode resistance
Bella Rose - Determinate large fruited
with good flavor and nematode resistance
Champion - Large fruited with good
flavor and nematode resistance
Two new varieties I tested this year are Sweet
Hearts Grape and Solid Gold. I have not been able to
find the seeds on the local market but keep an eye out
and if they become available, they are great for the
garden.
Now, I also tested some grafted
tomatoes. These are known varieties that are fused or
grafted to a vigorous rootstock tomato plant. The plants
have been extremely vigorous and seem to be very pest
resistance. I have not looked for root knot nematode
activity but as healthy as the plants look I doubt these
pests are a problem. Here is the problem but it is minor
' you need a good tall trellis. I am thinking 8 to 10
feet. They have easily over grown my 6 foot tomato
rings. The varieties I have are Marianna's Peace,
Stupice and Jetsetter. The company that provides the
plants also has others like Big Beef and Sweet Million.
The first plants I received were free for testing. I
like these vigorous plants so much I am buying the
spring planting. The company I am using is ' I know the
people helping with the marketing of the tomatoes and
they are reputable. One reader wrote me of another
company that did not supply his needs as ordered and
would not respond to his requests so be careful.
Whether starting your tomatoes from seed or ordering
plants have them delivered in early March -- I actually
plan on planting March 1 if possible.
You want
to get started early even if it may mean providing some
cold protection.
