I highly recommend you look for a variety called "Sweet Quartz" or it's newer form "Sweet Hearts". Sakata seed is the developer of both but you will probably find smaller seed sources from other seed houses. Linda Sapp at TGS still had some "Sweet Quartz" seed available last year. I have not grown "Sweet Hearts" yet but I am anxious too try it. I could not get seed this past season as the suppliers I tried had ran out by the time I tried to order it. Best I can tell from the info Sakata provides is that "Sweet Hearts" has more crack resistance and a better shelf life to it. I suspect they are trying to broaden the market for those wanting to grow (and sell) "grape" tomatoes. Both have some disease resistance. I have been crossing "Sweet Quartz" with other lines and so far that has always produced really outstanding cherry tomato lines. Sweet Quartz x Black Cherry produced the best tasting cherry (and possibly tomato) I have ever had. The plants were monsters and produced like crazy. I sent out seed to a few others in different parts of the country and they reported back great results. Sorry I dont have anymore seed. One doesn't get much seed crossing cherries and it can be difficult to emasculate the flowers for crossing - it takes lots of patience and numerous tries just to not break the style. Then its still a matter if the cross takes. The F2's of this (SQ x BC) cross were really good but not like the hybrid. The hybrid was a true example of "heterosis" for flavor and yield. It was also an example of why some hybrids are worth growing (or trying to make on your own). Here is a link that might be useful: Sweet Hearts info from Sakata

Graywings, what sort of tool would I use to drill a drainage hole? I guess, it needs to only go through the concrete, but also allow me to excavate some of the dirt from underneath -- and put gravel in its place? Seems involved... Any hints? Thanks! Homebound, the safety tiles themselves will not solve the puddles-problem, will they? Unless, maybe, they are high enough for the puddles to flow off to the sides... Khmm.

I have a floating slab with a French Tile drain system, gravity drain, no sump. This means there is a gap of about one inch between the edge of the slab and the block wall. I do not have any problems with water coming through the block so the gap does not add any value..but it may let more humidity and Radon gas into the basement/house. So, I am thinking about using a concrete patch to fill the gap along the perimeter. Any advice: do, don't do? what to use? are all questions in my mind.

"The holes made to raise the concrete are ugly and the patches are very visible." In my opinion, this is to be expected and is unavoidable. Complete replacement was your only alternative. If your contractor had gotten in before the city, it is likely things would have turned out better. No suggestions about the other issues except to see what he proposes. .