Good, I'm not alone then!

I'd grow Soldacki again if I were here. I grew Chris Ukrainian last year, a very similar tommy in shape, size and colour, but nowhere near Soldacki's wonderful texture or nice taste. I'd grow Marianna's Peace every year along with Anna Russian. I'd probably grow Kellogg's Breakfast again next year if I were here.

I'll take some seeds with me. Even if I don't end up with garden space, I'll grow in containers.

Yup, even I have a list started already. And it's all your fault dear forum! So far are: Marianna's Peace, Yellow Ruffles, Broad Ripple Yellow Currant and one or more of those Brandywine varieties that are being mentioned over and over. Clearly some of us learn by repetition!

...and I'm not even really harvesting *this* seasons crop yet!

When is the best time to order seeds from Up Over? Are there any preferred / highly recommended suppliers? I am, of course, savouring the task of forum research and an ordering spree on some cold and wintery day - but advance suggestions are welcome.

Amanda

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I really wanted to put some thought into what I would like to grow next year - sat down to go through the various web sites...eliminating varieties on the basis of climatic likes and dislikes, then on size, then on colour, then on what the various catalogues said they tasted like.......then all you lot keep coming up with more names, and more names, and.......then I had to stop - it was making my brain hurt!!

Amanda, I'd wait with ordering seeds, as there'll be quite a list of seeds available for free. I'm saving as many seeds as possible of all the varieties I'm growing. And more than happy to share them with all.

Best place to order from? I think Tomato Growers Supply Company have a very good reputation. Their site is a very tempting place. Good for a cold winter's day. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: TGS

Yes, Amanda, between us we have seeds for quite a few of the tommys worth growing. But in terms of ordering from the States, you can do it at any time. The only exception is the Sandhill Preservation outfit, a fine source of seeds, who only fill orders between January and August.

I have just checked through my seed supply and have 22 varieties that I have not yet tried.
They are:
Silver Fir Tree
Black Cherry
Black Russian
Pomadoro Padano
Cherokee Chocolate
Russian Lime
Conquerer
Taupo
Kosovo
Black from Tula
Black Prince
Jaune Flamme
Polar Baby
Sioux
Gregoris Altai
Abraham Lincoln
Anna Russian
Soldaki
Caspian Pink
Box Car Willie
Greek Tomato (from Peter)

Now, how to decide.

Well I have to admit that I too have been formulating a bit of a list in my head!
Those I'm putting at the top include:

Verna Orange - everyones fave so far, including the cat!
Pink Brandywine - a named strain, not the generic I have this year
College Challenger (& any other college varieties I can get)
Heidi - mentioned in US as excellent paste type
Box Car Willie - to sell at co op
Green Zebra - 'cos it looks cool & the kids like it

Then I think I'll try & go for one of every colour I can get from you guys!
Oh & a whole heap of different cherries to grow on the trellis.

Then of course I have to start on my eggplant list!

I haven't started a tomato list yet. But I did browse catalogues to check on autumn/winter crops. Even some spring crops were eyed. Might start a new thread soon on autumn/winter crops. :)

Spatz, I sowed some Nepal seeds this morning and have a Simpsons Summer Palace just up. I am going to try some different varieties in the greenhouse to overwinter. I also have cuttings of Russian Red, Amish Paste, Kellogs Breakfast and the mystery polish to go in the GH. I hope to get a few toms from them before the cold stops their growth and then prune them back to start again in the spring. Well, thats the plan, and we know how well, well made plans go :-)

Hmm....you trying to tempt me, oz?! Have been thinking about how to improve my greenhouse setup. And what to grow in there over winter. Tomatoes? Not sure, but tempting.

Richard, I've grown 4 from your list, and I liked them all.

Silvery Fir Tree - gorgeous plant, small stature but big flavour for an early. It's on my "must grow" list.

Jaune Flammée - the fruit are not only plentiful and tasty, but beautiful to boot. On the list.

Gregori's Altai - though listed as early it wasn't for me. But very productive and I liked the flavour of the pink fruit. On the list.

Anna Russian - did very poorly for me, only got one fruit, but oh how it tasted. I'll give it another chance.

I grew Fritsch this year, and although my plants were ravaged by everything in the known universe (okay, maybe just a slight exaggeration!), they fruited well. I even managed to eat a little fruit that wasn't infested with fruit fly maggots. It was superb - juicy, sweet and with a slight tangy overlay! Worth a go IMHO.

My goodness Ray, I hope it wasn't the maggots giving the juicy tangy overlay.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.

waaaaaah! Mercy!

How in hell am I supposed to decide? Silver Fir Tree, Brandywine Sudduth AND OTV, Marianna's Peace, Soldaki. And they're just the ones whose names I remember. I've already decided to sacrifice the lettuce space (it'll go in pots) to toms, but there's still only room for three.

Hahaha Bronwyn, I'm growing most of my tomatoes in pots. D'ya know how many pots you can fit into a small suburban back yard? (I refuse to count how many on the grounds that it might incriminate me, but DH says that the helicopters hover in our sky space, probably with binoculars!! LOL)

PP

Bron, when confonted with temptation, yield immediately!
Actually, since you only have room for three, just grow one early type, one mid-seaseon and one late season!

PP there is a US site where the family have committed the whole yard to food production. www.pathtofreedom.com (sorry for lack of proper link). The whole back deck is covered in pots. You could show a pic to your hubby with plans for future expansion, or use it as I did, to show my husband that he has nothing to complain about!
D

That is a fantastic looking garden D. They really are committed to their lifestyle. I have only had a quick look but it has enthused me to do more. I allready grow spring onions, basil, tomatoes and parsley in pots, but might look to try more types of vegies in them. I am also growing pumkins, asparagus, potatos and jeruselum artichokes amongst the wifes roses.

Mantis *off out the back to see what changes can be made*
*Oh yeah, and to get another can from the shed fridge*

Well, of the ones I have grown this year I think I will grow again:

Brandywine Suddeths
Zogola
Cherokee Purple
Principe Borghese
Black Krim
Early Wonder
Snow White
Resentraube
Kellogs Breakfast
Stupice

Of my seed supply the ones I think (now) that will go in are:

Box Car Willie
Soldaki
Anna Russian
Silver Fir Tree
Cherokee Choclate
Marianas Peace (seeds from Peter, I hope they perform better than the one plant I grew this year - great taste but small tomatoes)

Mantis

I was warned soon after joining this forum that it was dangerous in here. Well, I can see the vortex opening before my feet. Nothing for it... hold my nose, close my eyes, JUMP. Wheeeee!

Bron, glad you've realised that resistance is futile. It's fun in here, really.

I'm looking at spring sowings of every snow and snap pea I can lay my hands on, especially those supposedly resistant to powdery mildew! I want ones that are productive, delicious and PM resistant. Am I asking too much? I may have to create my own.

Brassicas! I've never had a great deal of success with brassicas. I think Sydney is just too warm. I'm looking forward to trying them out in Armidale - except brussel sprouts of course!

I think I'll have to build a hoop house or similar to indulge my melon growing ambitions. I don't think Armidale will have a long enough warm season - first frost April, last frost October, in good years!!!

What else? Well, my search for a fine, round, stringless bean continues. You can get them everywhere in France. Never seen them here, but there are loads of varieties to try. Speaking of beans, has anyone grown borlottis for fresh eating? I stuck one in as an experiment and was impressed by its tenacity under very tough conditions - planted in sand, almost never watered. Mind you, it could have been a one bean wonder I suppose.

Carrots! Now there's another challenge for me. Never had any luck with them, though I try every year. Again, I'll just keep trying different varieties.

Oca! Mine, as expected, did no good here, or at least, they haven't yet! They need a nice longish autumn. Perhaps another Armidale crop? I'd like to try Ulluco as well. Can't see them supplanting potatoes, but you never know.

Well, I suppose it can't be avoided really - tomatoes. Those on my definite list are

Aunt Gertie's Gold (to try)
Carbon (to try)
Cherokee Green (to try)
Cherokee Purple (want lots!)
Earl of Edgecombe (to try)
Fritsch (bad luck this season, but the one I had makes it worth another go)
Heatherington Pink (Not growing enough pinks!)
Jaune Flammée (love this little number)
Kellogg's Breakfast (to try)
Neves Azorean Red (to try)
Silvery Fir Tree (as an early - yummo!)
Marianna's Peace (smooth-shouldered version - hope it lives up to the hype!)

And a whole host of meaty types for drying/preserving/saucing

Heidi (if I can lay my hands on some seed)
Opalka
Palmwoods
San Marzano
San Marzano Redorta (Ridorta?)
Wuhib
?Others

My wish list is just too big, but Paragon and Earl's Faux are at the top.

Then there's my Aussie tomato grow out ...

Mmmmmm ... not sure an acre of land is really big enough!!!

Ray, sounds great. You should have heaps of fun. Your growing season sounds slightly shorter than mine now. Wow! But you could then also grow some berries and fruit that need some chill. Isn't that fun?! Redcurrants, blueberries...

I can bring Chantenay Red-Cored Carrot seeds to Rutherglen, if you like some. They are nice for an autumn sowing and you can leave them in the ground for ages.

Chantenays are my favourite. That would be great Spatz. I love any kind of carrots or persnip, yummmmmm.

Adam, I'll also bring some Parsnip seeds along then. :) Maybe some Swedes, too?

Yes Spatz, I'm really looking forward to being able to grow lots of blueberries. Next to srawberries, they're my favourite! The other berries, well, since I'm sure there'll be room, why not. I'm not madly keen on raspberries though. I don't dislike them, it's just that I don't see what people get all excited about.
In England, people used to go gaga over Summer Pudding - basically bread with lots of red berries and syrup. It was far too sickly sweet for me. Made my teeth beg me to call the dentist with every mouthful!

I love summer pudding, but the one my mum makes is never sweet, if anything it's on the tart side, she must have a recipe with less sugar.

I'm certainly putting in CP, JF Black Russian and Peron as they've done well in Melbourne. Ray, you want some Peron seed don't you if I recall?

EEEEkk! I just noticed I had Early Wonder on my grow list. If I were to grow it again, it would only be so that the chooks could get a treat of a ripe tommy, and I might just do that for them.
I am going to add Carbon to the list as I have been impressed with Cherokee Purple and Black Krim this year, so more blacks needed.
BTW in have saved heaps of Black Krim and Cherokee Purple seeds if anyone wants some.

Mantis

lomatia, yes please, some Peron seeds would be most appreciated. BTW, the link to your website on your member page doesn't seem to go anywhere.

Ray, haven't tasted it yet but certainly a lot of fruit and no sign of any problems. I have a big bugger that I will get seed from!

I got mail from Eden Seeds today and notice their additional tomatoes include Deutscher Fleiss, Nebraska Wedding, Olomovic, One Hundred Percent, Pink Gaetano (Finbar's) Red Colossus and Silvery Fir Tree. Their organic tomato seeds are Oxheart Pink, Purple Russian and St Pierre.