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:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Mags]

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..:roll: 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:D .No winners yet but they sure are keen to try.

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

[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.

[dandysmom]

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:D .No winners yet but they sure are keen to try.

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

Larissa's a Russian variety and hard to find. We used to have a small seed company that specialized in European seeds; unfortunately they were bought out by one of the large seed companies; have not found Larissa since; but will do a Google for it later...I'd like to have it again.

Okra? It's a heat lover, is your summer climate warm enough? Only grew it once just to make pickled okra...

Do you grow shelling beans? I do Borlottos, delicious! First found them in that catalogue I mentioned; but they're pretty common; got them at T & M this year.

How nice that I am not alone here on Catsey with my dislike of thieving squirrels...:-D

[dandysmom]

Angie, did some Googling and found Ailsa Craig, as well as Larissa at a US seed company: think I'll order some...can always squeeze in a few more tomatoes..!!

[alexgirl73]

We grew tomatoes year before last but just not enough room on our windowsills and the cats knock them over!

[dandysmom]

No room in the garden to sneak in a few, Alex?

[alexgirl73]

yeah could put them in the garden Eileen (we dont have squirrels lol) but never done it, and I'm waiting on OH moving the rabbit hutch so I can put a little veg patch where it is now.

[dandysmom]

Oh do try: there is nothing like a dead-ripe tomato warm right out of the garden ...and with no squirrels you could get to enjoy it.....:-D

[Steph]

I don`t rate Ailsa Craig that much,there are dozens of standard reds with better flavour. If anyone is interested google `Allotments 4 All` .We are a friendly bunch and you don`t need an allotment-plenty of threads about tomatoes.

I`m Cleo over there.

I have found Larissa but I don`t pay that sort of money for seeds,if it`s not an F1 hybrid then if anyone grows them and saves the seeds we could arrange some swaps?

I`m not sure of the rules and regulations re-the USA though

Yes I grow borlotti beans and a few others for fresh/drying.

And yes it is very hard to grow decent Okra here-I can manage a couple or so per plant and the flowers are simply wonderful-my challenge is on A4A-the site
I mentioned above

[dandysmom]

Steph, I've ordered Larissa. As I don't have an allotment, just a small City back yard I never use all the seeds in a packet, so if you'd like some, PM me your address and I'll send them.......

[Steph]

Oh how kind-thank you.

[Hreow]

Green Grape. I'm growing some odds and ends from my collection this year, so I'll let you know if the results are anything but a string of expletives... ^_^

I'll have a scout through my seeds and see if there is anything interesting and not yet out of date. I can also offer to send some from here, unless your customs have a fit at the very though?

[dandysmom]

I usually order seeds from Thompson & Morgan; they're shipped from New Jersey but on the packets indicate that the seed was grown in the UK and Germany; so would assume Customs doesn't care. I shipped catnip seed to the UK in a regular envelope, and plan to do so with my excess tomato seed. I figure what Customs doesn't know won't hurt it......:-D

[dandysmom]

I don`t rate Ailsa Craig that much,there are dozens of standard reds with better flavour. If anyone is interested google `Allotments 4 All` .We are a friendly bunch and you don`t need an allotment-plenty of threads about tomatoes.

I`m Cleo over there.

I have found Larissa but I don`t pay that sort of money for seeds,if it`s not an F1 hybrid then if anyone grows them and saves the seeds we could arrange some swaps?

I`m not sure of the rules and regulations re-the USA though

Yes I grow borlotti beans and a few others for fresh/drying.

And yes it is very hard to grow decent Okra here-I can manage a couple or so per plant and the flowers are simply wonderful-my challenge is on A4A-the site
I mentioned above

I'm curious: what were they asking for Larissa? It was only $1.95 here, which is lower than average. Most packets go for $2.95 or $3.25,

[Steph]

what were they asking for Larissa? It was only $1.95 here, which is lower than average. Most packets go for $2.95 or $3.25,

The only site I saw was £2 for 5 seeds. Over here folk are only now getting to know the flavour of Heritage and `Russian` toms. So others are exploiting it.

I try to run my very small outlet at prices that can compete with commercial garden centres but offering tomatoes that actually have flavour. I say `outlet` it`s just a board outside my house-and one shop I supply

[dandysmom]

what were they asking for Larissa? It was only $1.95 here, which is lower than average. Most packets go for $2.95 or $3.25,

The only site I saw was £2 for 5 seeds. Over here folk are only now getting to know the flavour of Heritage and `Russian` toms. So others are exploiting it.

I try to run my very small outlet at prices that can compete with commercial garden centres but offering tomatoes that actually have flavour. I say `outlet` it`s just a board outside my house-and one shop I supply

Wow, that's appalling!! :shock: Don't blame you for not buying! Heritage tomatoes have been getting increasingly popular here for years; even the big mainstream catalogues carry many varieties, not just the niche ones.

I started my tomatoes, basil and hot pepper seeds Monday; they'll be a nice size to set out on May 1st. I just do a few plants of each as they're just for my use and I have a small City back yard garden. Although the wretched squirrel seems to think he has a share also...:roll: :evil:

[Steph]

Basil?-don`t get me started. I grow loads of varities from the standard Genovese right through the bush types to Holy Basil for my Thai cooking. Do you get the Neopolitan variety?-leaves so large you can use them as a wrap?

[angieh]

Wow - that must be amazing! I love basil but normally grow the mixed Mediterranean type - just love the smell it gives to the greenhouse.

[dandysmom]

Basil?-don`t get me started. I grow loads of varities from the standard Genovese right through the bush types to Holy Basil for my Thai cooking. Do you get the Neopolitan variety?-leaves so large you can use them as a wrap?

I've not experimented too much with basil: the standard Genovese, and Holy Basil for my Thai cooking!! I love chicken Ka Pow; the hot peppers are for that as well as Szechuan dishes..:D

[Elaine]

Eileen, can I come to yours for tea sometime. You always make my mouth water when you talk of your thia dishes etc;)

[dandysmom]

Of course, and bring Eva too! Be warned: I like it hot : heavy on unseeded peppers...:-D

[Elaine]

Excellent, I'll let eva know, she will be thrilled;)

[dandysmom]

Will Eva eat fish? Onyx's side of the larder still has a few cans of yellowfin tuna and ocean whitefish left. Leia has had the rest, but does not care for fish........

[Elaine]

Eva will eat whats put in front of her usually, she's a good girl that way;) Its just every other way that she's bad:lol: