Like a lot of people it seems, we're drawing up a seed list. Seems we've got just about everything we want but there are a couple of exceptions
Sweetcorn, tried half a dozen varieties and they've been ok but not spectacular. Only going to have space for one variety this year and was think of trying a super sweet for the first time - any recommendations?
Tomatoes, again would like to try something a bit different this year - we have the staple roma, moneymaker, gardeners delight and mallorquines - anyone like to recommend a couple more - preferably not cherry or beefsteak type. We're lucky not to suffer from blight here and the Summer is very hot and dry, if that helps in the choice.
Cheers for any suggestions.
For Sweetcorn I'd try Ovation but not sure it's in your Sweetness group
For tomatoes Black Prince... I could send you some
:)
No blight, hot summers... you know how tomake a British tomato grower green with envy! ;D
I'd love to grow beefsteaks if i had longer sunnier summers. But plum toms would perhaps also do well, they grow them in hot parts of Italy. You could make sauce or paste to preserve over winter? San Marzano are meant to be tasty.
What great things to discuss !!
I grew Lark sweetcorn last year and it was lovely, will be growing it again.
You said no cherries but how can you not grow Sungold tomatoes??
Could you grow Shirley tomatoes in Spain outside? I have never grown them but would love to give them a go.
What about princip borghese or "everlasting tomatoes". I am trying them this year. I've loads of seeds if you want to try.
Thanks Saddad, just pm'd you.
Pigeonseed, much prefer Spring to Summer - it gets too hot really but does have its benefits with the variety of stuff we can grow, we're also lucky to have free and plentiful water on the plot. Maybe should try a beefsteak again - had very poor results last time.
Cheers!
ooops, was posting when those replies came in.
Didn't know about princip borghese, quick search suggests they're good for drying which sounds interesting.
We grew a lot of Sungold last year and got a good crop but just wanted a change this time. Never grown "Shirley" so I'll have a look - thanks very much for the suggestions.
If you are going to try a beef I'd recommend Annanas (Syn. Pineapple)...
:)
And I would recommend black sea man for a beef. Beautiful colour brown shoulders
Should we compromise on Annanas Noir... ;D
Quote from: elhuerto on February 26, 2011, 19:31:08
Sweetcorn, tried half a dozen varieties and they've been ok but not spectacular. Only going to have space for one variety this year and was think of trying a super sweet for the first time - any recommendations?
I was under the impression that growing two varieties close together cross polinated them...which spoiled the crop of both. I'm growing two this year, "Swift" at the allotment in the tunnel and a pink variety at home.
Quote from: elhuerto on February 26, 2011, 19:31:08
Tomatoes, again would like to try something a bit different this year - we have the staple roma, moneymaker, gardeners delight and mallorquines - anyone like to recommend a couple more - preferably not cherry or beefsteak type. We're lucky not to suffer from blight here and the Summer is very hot and dry, if that helps in the choice.
I'm growing a few varieties ths year, as most people I am growing some "sungold", great to pop in salads or just in a bowl for freinds to munch on when they come round. I also growing a new larger fruited variety of sungold called "sungella". 3rd variety is a tiny tom called "Redcurrant" and finally a well recommended beefsteak variety called "Amish paste".
Steve...:)
Quote from: elhuerto on February 26, 2011, 19:31:08
was think of trying a super sweet for the first time - any recommendations?
If you're used to the old-fashioned kinds and are happy to harvest just as you leave for home and cook immediately you get there - then don't bother - unless you like corn that tastes like a spoonful of sugar.
Actually a spoonful of brown sugar has more taste.
If you want to fill your freezer then by all means go with the supersweet or tendersweet or 'sugar enhanced' (translation: sugar spoilt) types - but don't get them out until you've forgotten what proper (fresh trad.) sweetcorn tastes like.
Cheers.
I have had varied results from sweetcorn but this one always produces 2-3 cobs per plant and is an early cropper (August):
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/vegetable-seeds/maize-seeds/sweetcorn-extra-tender-sweet/964TM
Thanks again, determined to get the sweetcorn right this year so maybe the super sweet isn't for us then. Had real problems with earwigs 2 years ago, and last year I don't think we watered enough. Following up on Saddad's advice, had a look for Ovation and found the site here that unusally has free shipping across Europe www.vegetableseeds.net - can't wait to get sowing now!
Cheers!
The sweet or not so sweet question is interesting. I grew Swift last year for the first time, very successful crop (after germination problems), but for my taste I think they were too sweet. I picked up a pack of bloody butcher at a seed swap, and will be giving it a try this year.
Vinlander, what variety do you grow?
Ummm...Elhuerto...don't rush to order anything as yet..my parcel is in post.. ;)
I have got Golden Bantam Sweetcorn seeds to try this year. I found www.realseeds.co.uk where all the seed is non-hybrid. They also had Amish Paste tomatoes. All the seeds come with growing instructions as well as seed saving methods.
I will not be sowing any other sweetcorn varieties this year, as mine cross pollinated last year and were a mix of sweet and starchy kernels, they did not freeze so well, or taste as good as one variety. I used Kelvedon Glory and another very sweet f1 hybrid. Not good grown together.