Spring 2009 - Take 2

Second time is a charm. It was a chain of non-stoppable events - Rachel emailed me on Friday that our tomato saplings were ready for pick up. Before you knew it, Erika, Rachel and I were in her "it keeps on going" van to Julie Rader's to pick up. It turned out that Erika was helping Rachel get an early start to her days by setting clocks on Utah time. So, we were back in an hour or so (second time is a charm) to greet our pretty little heirloom tomatoes.

According to our neighbor Julie Rader at Proven Winners, here's what we have signed up for:

i. Hawaiian Pineapple: In 90 days, this indeterminate heirloom will offer us beautiful large to extra large yellow beefsteaks. When they ripen, they will turn to a deep gold and develop red marbling on blossom ends that continue into the flesh. Voted #1 at the 2003 Tomatofest as the “Best tasting tomato – overall”, I've been promised a sweet and fruity treat.

ii. Limmony: In about 80 days, this indeterminate heirloom from Russia should yield 8 to 10 oz lemon yellow, smooth, blemish free beefsteak tomatoes. The high acid content is supposed to deliver a clean taste and a crisp flavor. Oh, and I've been instructed to cage them with heavy duty wire mesh - large fruits on large plants.

iii. Neves Azorean Red: This 75-day indeterminate red tomato was developed by Anthony Neves, who brought seeds from the Azores. I picked it because it was labeled disease resistant, long bearing and hopefully flavorful.

iv. Snow White: This was a mistake. We thought we were bringing the early cropper Sungold Cherry. Now that it is in the ground, let's describe it - 75 days, indeterminate ivory-colored cherry tomatoes that ripen to a pale yellow on productive vines.

It is not warm enough yet for His Japanese Majesty - Momotaro. Julie has offered to drop 'em off in two weeks or so.