I have not grown tomatoes before and next year would like to plant a tomatoe plant or two. The area I have would be at the rear of a herb garder on the east side of the house against a fence. The area is rather shaded. WIll tomatoes grow in this type of location? Also, what is the largest, juicest and sweetest tomato? I have heard that if you plant basil along with the tomatoes you won't get horned tomato worms. Is this true?
Thanks,
LynnW
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 4659
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:58 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC
Basil is a companion plant of tomatoes so, it is very possible that it may repel pests. It will also enhance the flavour of your tomatoes.
Your shaded area may not be the best place to plant tomatoes, tomatoes need sunlight to ripen so, if the area has shade for most of the day; I am thinking that your won't have very good results.
Well, the largest I believe would be Ultra boy reaching up to one pound for each tomatoe. Though, I have found black tomatoes to be very large and quite juicy.
Your shaded area may not be the best place to plant tomatoes, tomatoes need sunlight to ripen so, if the area has shade for most of the day; I am thinking that your won't have very good results.
Well, the largest I believe would be Ultra boy reaching up to one pound for each tomatoe. Though, I have found black tomatoes to be very large and quite juicy.
-
- Mod
- Posts: 7491
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:17 pm
- Location: Colchester, CT
Sweet tomatoes are all about sun. As little shade as you can find...
UltraBoy is another Burpee intro, and as such, grown more for farmers than back yarders. I have been a big fan of 'Brandywine', an old Amish strain that is quite large (biggest in my garden this year). But I am very impressed with the size and flavor of 'Cherokee Purple'; sweeter than 'Brandywine' (a good one if you like a little acidy bite; many do) and nearly as large. I am going to grow black tomatoes next year; 'Black Krim' always does well on the favorites list and seems very large as well.
But if you want to grow a large tomato plant, then 'Matt's Wild Cherry' is the craziest thing I've ever grown and it would probably do well trained into a tree, as long as it didn't strangle it; a distinct possibility. The fruit is small and VERY sweet (I have heard rumor of a "black cherry" out there, but cannot confirm...)
UltraBoy is another Burpee intro, and as such, grown more for farmers than back yarders. I have been a big fan of 'Brandywine', an old Amish strain that is quite large (biggest in my garden this year). But I am very impressed with the size and flavor of 'Cherokee Purple'; sweeter than 'Brandywine' (a good one if you like a little acidy bite; many do) and nearly as large. I am going to grow black tomatoes next year; 'Black Krim' always does well on the favorites list and seems very large as well.
But if you want to grow a large tomato plant, then 'Matt's Wild Cherry' is the craziest thing I've ever grown and it would probably do well trained into a tree, as long as it didn't strangle it; a distinct possibility. The fruit is small and VERY sweet (I have heard rumor of a "black cherry" out there, but cannot confirm...)
-
- Mod
- Posts: 7491
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:17 pm
- Location: Colchester, CT
Yep, like they said, tomatoes need sun!
Okay, I am definitely trying black tomatoes next year, and the Cherokee Purples! I keep seeing/reading about them lately and wish I'd had time for a bigger garden this year. Oh well (shrug).
BTW: I used to work for a guy named Matt Cherry. And he was a bit of a wild man. I just thought it funny there's a tomato that takes after him!
Okay, I am definitely trying black tomatoes next year, and the Cherokee Purples! I keep seeing/reading about them lately and wish I'd had time for a bigger garden this year. Oh well (shrug).
BTW: I used to work for a guy named Matt Cherry. And he was a bit of a wild man. I just thought it funny there's a tomato that takes after him!
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 4659
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:58 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC
Crazy how yesterday and Sunday this place was just dead and now today it's buzzing more than a bee hive!
Yes, the Heirlooms are quite nice. And they have a lot more flavour than the hybrid varieties such as Ultra Boy.
I've just started (a week ago) to harvest my Black Tula tomatoes. They really nice.
For the larger varieties of black tomatoe, a really nice recipe is to take one tomatoe and cut it up into quarters and over low heat simmer the tomatoe in some olive oil. Add a clove of crushed garlic and a bunch of prawns. Stew the prawns until they are cooked. YUMMY!
Yes, the Heirlooms are quite nice. And they have a lot more flavour than the hybrid varieties such as Ultra Boy.
I've just started (a week ago) to harvest my Black Tula tomatoes. They really nice.
For the larger varieties of black tomatoe, a really nice recipe is to take one tomatoe and cut it up into quarters and over low heat simmer the tomatoe in some olive oil. Add a clove of crushed garlic and a bunch of prawns. Stew the prawns until they are cooked. YUMMY!