Hey there, brute. I have some Black Cherry seedlings that I got from Denise in Englewood. She grows them fine! I planted the seeds a few weeks ago. I am keeping them somewhat sheltered and have created a cooler-shaded micro climate for my tomatoes as I am a bit ahead of schedule. Most people don't recommend planting tomato seeds in Florida until after Sept. 1st. Also I just planted some Green Zebra seeds from Susannah who grows them in Miami! I have never ordered seeds from Baker's. I usually shop Tomato Growers Supply since they are right here in Fort Myers. Keep us posted on how your veggies do!

Actually, I haven't grown the green zebra yet, but I saved the seeds from tomatoes I got at a local farmers market, from a local organic farmer. So she definitely grows them here pretty successfully. (my theory on seed saving was that if local florida growers can grow something organically, it's more likely to survive my neglect that a fancy hybrid developed in holland or michigan. so far that theory has worked amazingly well with an unknown but hardy as hell variety of cantelope. I'm just trying it this winter with some squash and tomato varieties.)

Susannah

What is the green zebra tomato like? Can anyone describe the flavor? I love tomatoes.

Take a look at the Tomato Forum, brute, and anyone else. There is a guy over there 'containerted' fromAtlanta that has composed a list of over 400 Heirloom tomatoes that describes them. I was mostly interested in the fact that it lists tomatoes that are HEAT TOLERANT!

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Forum

green zebra is TART ! I know, I grew it and ALWAYS heard that description.

AHA, Tony...but DID YOU TASTE IT??? One man's "tart is another man's sweetie"!!! Taste is so personal and how can you tell me what something tastes like if you did not taste it yourself??? Hmmm?? I have been unimpressed even put off with the taste of tomatoes others have raved about and yet loved the flavor of tomatoes others call boring. You can't judge a tomato by the way someone else tastes it! Sorry, sounds like a soap box. I love ya Tony and I know ya hate tomatoes, but you have grown so many and given us so much tomato advice, just this time...I had to call ya on it. Tomatoes are so diversified in flavour! Shoot, I don't think I can explain it right. Everyone has a different taster!! Treefroggie, Sumala, Tom, Denise, Scents-Linda, Larry, Moe, Curley...help me here I think I have gone over the edge!! I can't seem to say it right!

Green Zebras have always been very prolific and easy to grow here. My family and friends love them. Pick when the color breaks from green to a bit more golden for sweeter flavor. Green they are tart.

Black cherries are very sweet, delicious and also a good producer! Larger than most cherries.

Plant 'em now.

That said, it does depend on your soil, fertilizing, and weather.

Can't help with anything else you listed.

Waiting to hear how they all do for you!

Did costata romanescu produce for you? I grow that variety of zuke every year up north, it's so superior in flavor that any other is practically inedible to me now.

Wow! Somebody resurrected this old dinosaur thread! The answer to the zuchinni question is NO.
Worst squash experience I ever had. Not sure what to blame: cold, drought, bad seed, not prepping the soil properly, I don't know.
Had an interesting experience with the Cherry Tomatoes. Nothing would sprout from the first packet I bought. Contacted Baker Creek and they sent another which worked out better. Then, those cherries really went wild. Produced tremendously all winter until the freeze killed them. I lost at least 200 tomatoes. Tragic!
I was not impressed with the Black From Tula tomatoes. The Thai Golden Round Melon produced abundantly while the weather was still hot. However, I lost most of the melons to maggots of some sort. I'll spray more aggressively next time.
Never did plant the Green Zebras.

hey brute, good to see this old post! Sorry to hear about your tomato loss, I lost a mess of them to the frost too. Interesting to hear your take on "Black From Tula" that is the 2nd negative comment I have gotten today on them!! So maybe I'll try to give the plants away! LOL I do have a Green Zebra with some pretty fruit on it. Waiting for it to turn golden on the shoulders and give it a try. The seed came from ... Ummm Susanna?? I think?? Anyway, I managed to save this plant from the frost and look forward to tasting it. Squash and zukes I have horrible luck with...so are you planting more tomatoes?? Let me know if you are looking for any particular seeds.

Thanks for the report. I started some CR last year just before leaving florida and I was told later the same thing: total failure. It would seem that CR is a poorly-suited variety for fla. I strongly suspect, though, that there must be summer squash varieties that are well-suited. Won't likely be any of the ones for sale at box stores.

Sorry to hear about melon-maggots, since I'm getting ready to plant various melons. Were the fruits right on the ground and staying damp on the bottom? Maybe if the vines were allowed to run on fences and shrubs or what-not so the fruits are above the ground would solve that problem....

pn and brute
I hope someone will chime in about squash but I've heard the hard skinned type do best in FL. There's one called Seminole that is an heirloom.

cindee
I am growing BFTula (again) just to see if the second chance is better. My first try 2 years ago was not good. Not much production and nothing special taste.
Hope your BCherry made it thru the cold. Mine is petering out due to nematodes. Dr. Carolyn continues to produce too many lol.

Denise

Hi All
I have been ordering from Bakers Creek for a while. I found some varieties that are different from other seed companies.

I grew past season Black from Tula and Paul Robeson Angolan.
With the taste results I will grow Paul Robeson anytime. Great taste and production.

I am still looking for a good squash and cucumber for our weather. I will post results after this season.

I grew Seminole pumpkins last May, those you can eat as squash when small. I found them different but very tasty. I propped them from the soil with tiles. You need to have space for these, they run wild.
The harvest was so productive that even after sharing with a lot of people, we are still eating pumpkins!

I also grew a variety of cucumber Thai "Petch Tsai" from Bakers too, they were small but good.