I too started here, reading, trading, growing. Let me share what I have done/learned. First off, as of yesterday I am the official keeper of over 200 varieties of OP tomatoes. That does not make me an expert, but it does show my involvement :) Let me tell you that, for one...I have a similar climate as yours, 45th parallel near Canada. I grew in two ways last year; containers and raised beds. My first year to incorporate containers...3-7 gallons. In the containers went farm dirt, taken from a former dairy farm. Raised bed #1, which I will be referring to was screened topsoil as I have clay and many ROCKS. Some mulch has been added to bed #1, but it is NOT farm dirt. The containers produced fruitful. I grew Farmer Reds...I have some to trade but can't find any information on them, they were more an orange red and about 9.5 oz and good to eat, I also grew Gardener's Delight (cherry), two others but the memory is fuzzy this morning. I keep a small notebook and do recommend that you document as well, as much of what I will share is right straight from my notes :) Bed #1 got these in order (I even drew cute little pictures :) -Brandywine Pink, Mr. Stripey (yellow with red streaks), Rutgers, Marmande, Gardeners Delight. Across from them in order-Brandywine Pink, Roma, Gardener's Delight, Yellow Pear, Amish Paste. These were started in the peat pellets and up on March 17th, I was ancy with spring fever. All other plants came up later. I used indoor lights in a homemade stand using a heat-controlled electric warmer that I get at resale shops for like $3. They were the healthiest plants and I put them in about 6 weeks later (calendar is not close to me). We still had frost going on...I hardened them off maybe 2-3 days then planted them. When frost warnings came. I used styrofoam cones and rocks to hold them down. All survived and thrived. This bed actually produced plants over 7 feet! It was a chance though...the rest of the plants in other beds all matured and faired well. Additional plants grown in other beds last year were; Beefsteak, Large Red Cherry, Orange Banana, Gold Currant, Yellow Cherry, Brandywines, Italian, Delicious, Black Prince, Evergreen, Sunburst, Silvery Fir. In one garden went unidentified mix of colors from a packet...I don't recommend that-not knowing what they are until maturation. I also ended up with a beautiful unknown pink paste (I did save seeds). Now how did I like them? For me the best sandwich slice went to Mr. Stripey...wow, I never had a tomato like that. Gardener's Delight, Yellow Pear and Gold Currants were yummy candy. Brandywines were good...I enjoyed their size and taste. Rutgers, Marmande, Farmer Reds, were always there to be picked, a matured earlier and very similar. The green one (Evergreen) was the best green salsa ingredient ever. Used that with the type of Mrs. Wages salsa mix that calls for cider vinegar to be added. Sunburst was pretty but bland. The currant and other small cherry (not mentioned) wore me out picking. The best pastes I grew-Amish, edible off the vine. I will update my inventory list of seeds Monday (three days from now). I do TRADE! I have every variety I think you mentioned trying. I will enclose picture to this thread hopefully. This year is a radical growing year for me, not only will I try new ones at the homestead in beds, but I am now the catalyst for a community garden with access to 8 acres...garden one will not be that big I ensure you. BUT...I can try all 200 tomato varieties...MAYBE :) Earl in Northern Michigan

Yup, cherry varieties for off-the-vine eating, and the Opalka for special sauce. Momataro for just for kicks. The growing season here is short, from mid-May to mid September. And there is always the chance of an early/late frost. I have room for maybe a dozen plants in the ground, which is primarly loamy clay, and I am working on some earthbox/container designs (which is the other forum I use!) The soil has never been gardened, and is lovely dark, and full of earthworms. I have an urban backyard, with not a ton of light. I've had good luck with what I planted last year, I just wished that Stupice tasted a little richer. For real light I'm looking at containers in the driveway. Since I posted, I found a local source for a lot of heirloom plants, and have had some "help" tp revise my list which has now expanded to include: Opalka probably six plants Momotaro 1 plant Red currant 2 plants Black Cherry. 2 plants Juliet 2 plants and now upgraded to Matts Wild Cherry 1 plant Galina 1 plant Giant Belgium. 1 plant The Giant Belgium is a request from my sister, who things really big veggies are neat. If Giant Belgium is rubbish, feel free to suggest a replacement I was also cruising the nursery and picked up a packet of Cluster Grande seeds. And I'm a home preserving fan, too. Salsa, soup, tomato sauce, pickles, relish and jam.

Thanks for posting your list. We're in a new build and I'm in the process of compiling my appliance list. In this new build design I've decided to go with a double oven so I'm using up wall space. I figured I would just have the microwave on the counter... next to the ovens. I hadn't heard of a 'microwave drawer' before... can I ask how you are going to use it..??... I googled and a reviewer of this model actually had it installed "higher" [not exactly sure what that means] ... and someone else installed it in the pantry.. ...just wondering how YOU designed your kitchen for this microwave.

I think you need professional photos. The current interior photos seem distorted in size. Things seem short and wide. Looks like doll house furniture and the photos make the ceiling seem very low when you can see the ceiling in the photo. the photos are out of whack as to what the real interior looks like, so it seems. The exterior photo of the front of home. Probably will come out much nicer if you took on a bright cloudy day. this way no sun shadows. or take just after sunset or after it rained. The rain makes the grass and shrubs greener and the wet driveway and wet roof make the colors vivid and the house really pops when taken after a rain but when still cloudy. when you see the mansions with the slick photo galleries done by pros...those homes most often are done at sunset or cloudy days and usually all the lights of the house are ON for the photo. Looks very nice. Also ..the front photo you cannot see the left side of the home because of the tree and this would make the home look larger if you could see that side of the home. Otherwise you see a lot of the garage side of the home which is not always the most pleasing. Want it to look big and grand. That home is very nice looking but better photos would make it stunning.