Blame Dandysmom

[Steph]

Yes I am a keen gardener. I specialise in unusual tomatoes and stuff like that. Just don`t mention `Money Maker` and we will get along just fine

[Elaine]

As long as you dont mention tomatoes and squirrels in the same sentence, you and Eileen will get along just fine

[Mags]

Originally Posted by Steph

Yes I am a keen gardener. I specialise in unusual tomatoes and stuff like that. Just don`t mention `Money Maker` and we will get along just fine

What's wrong with 'Money Maker' Steph?

[dandysmom]

Ooh, you did push my button there: I like to experiment with tomatoes other than the rather flavorless common varieties: would not let Moneymaker, Big Boy or Early Girl in my garden! Other than the old American favorite, Rutgers, I like to grow European varieties, as they're not grown for toughness in standing up to long shipping distances or uniform ripening times but for flavor! Right now two of my favorites are Super Marmande and Larissa. I'm not big on beefsteak varieties.

Here in the States, the common grey squirrel is an unbelievably destructive rodent in gardens, hence the above remark.. I am noted (notorious?) for my loathing of the tree rats, who dig up my bulbs and plants and to my ultimate horror, eat my tomatoes before I can!

What are some varieties you recommend?

[angieh]

Another keen tomato grower here! Although have to say had my first disastrous year last year - never have had mould and blight in the greenhouse before. Had to ditch the whole crop. Many previous years I've crammed many too many plants in, but never had any really bad disease problems. I hear that my experience last year wasn't unusual in U.K.

I do like Gardener's Delight for little tasty salad toms and Italia for lovely tasty plum toms!

[dandysmom]

What standard varieties are you growing, Angie? I'm with Super Marmande again this year...will start seeds Monday: St. Patrick's Day is the traditional time to do it here......

[angieh]

I don't tend to grow standards much, although I have tried Ailsa Craig (quite an old variety) as they tend to be plentiful and cheap in the shops, so stick to the little salad toms and the plum varieties, which are so versatile and can be used for anything that you'd normally use a standard for + excellent for making ketchup, passata or chutneys if you get too many!

[dandysmom]

Different from here: the little cherry and grape tomatoes and plums are usually pretty good in the market; the eating ones tend to be the common ones that are fairly tasteless. Except for a short period when the locally grown ones are in. I'm a believer in the "eat seasonally, buy locally" theory when I can .....

[Steph]

I don`t know `Larissa`-I`ll send a message to my friend on a board over here and ask her. Yes last year in the UK was truely awful for blight-I lost every outdoor plant but those under cover were OK.

I won`t mention the varieties I have grown over the years as it`s into three figures.

It`s a standing joke in the village and on the internet that I`m the one who cannot abide the awful MM.

For a couple of years I`ve been running a challenge on one of my favourite gardening sites in the UK for anyone who can get a decent crop of okra-the prize being I`ll cook them .No winners yet but they sure are keen to try.

Best not mention squirrels-they steal my hazel nuts and walnuts

[angieh]

"Best not mention squirrels-they steal my hazel nuts and walnuts"

Yes, mine too. One day you think - oh they may be ready next week and the next day they're nearly all gone.