We have never grown heirloom tomatoes until this year, is it true they taste way better than conventional types ? We won't have any still for about three weeks to try.
Well, taste of tomatoes like art is often in the eye
of the beholder or tongue in this case. Tomato taste has a lot to do with
proper growing soil/water/nutrients, keeping the right balance of sun and
shade, and so on.
There are many varieties and it would be a good idea for you to grow several then make your own decisions.
My only real advice is to stay away from the tough skinned commercial
varieties you often find in the grocery stores.
I haven't had any ever, but we've been getting some for free from our neighbor (He's got a BUNCH of cherry tomatoes!) who is trying to get rid of them prior to them all going bad lol. They're delicious!!!!!
I've tried growing various species of tomato's. Big Boy has always been a good variety for me...but more recently I was advised by a commercial tomato grower near Van Buren, AR that "Jet Star" has the advantage of many others because it is highly resistant to leaf rust, which is when leaves start turning brown at the bottom and move upward fairly fast. Since changing varieties I've had mostly good luck with my tomato crops.
The biggest advantage to Heirloom is that you allow one or two to mature then cut'm up for the seeds. If you plant Heirloom you grow Heirloom. If you plant hybrid no telling what comes up. You could get Heirloom for nearly everything. Just save your seeds and plant again next year. Oh, some Heirloom don't pack and transport as well as hybrid produce.
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Aim real good we're nearly out of ammo.
I've purchased many heirloom varieties at a local farmer's market. Some were rather unusual looking, all were tasty. Can't say how much of it is because of the variety or the fact that they are vine ripened by the grower.
Never tried growing any but hybrids (they, too, are tasty) mainly because I find it easy to buy sets at the nursery.
Most of the heirlooms do have a better flavour than the moderns--they were bred for it, while many moderns are bred for uniform ripening times and shipability.
My problem with is that they are indeterminate--spreading all over everywhere, and many take a long while to ripen.
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AIRBORNE! All the Way! Recondo: Only the strong survive!
