Allotments 4 All

Fothergills is one.

If you've got space for a few small toms in a sheltered spot outdoors, give 'santa' variety a try - they're yummy!
I notice you have a gap for spring cabbage, I'm growing 'Advantage' but won't get anything off it till next spring, so can tell you how that goes then  ;D I read a lot about them though, and 'Hispi' and 'Excel' are supposed to be great too. In fact, you're supposed to be able to sow 'advantage' almost all the year round.

M

For my ha'peth worth.  I thought the climbing gold bean Goldfield was very good this year, my first go with it.

Most encouraging - this well presented plan. Most helpful.

BUT - without in any way wishing to dampen spirits - we're back to that piece of string.

Almost everything we grow - especially for the first time - is wonderful. But results differ year by year, plant by plant, day by day & fruit by fruit. And how things are used - raw, cooked, dressed, dried, preserved. And what with. Who has the time to do controlled experiments? When you bring in a pick of your tomatoes, can you honestly tell by taste which is which?

SO? Do make up your mind exactly what you want to achieve - & where. And then read up all the evidence. The net is full of helpul advice. Even then you will get heavily weighted opinions. And when you think that there are, for example, over 2000 tomatoes, & that each country has its own standard of taste & expectation ............??

We buy something new every year because 'new, better'  varieties are offeredi n every catalogue, & it would be boorish to pull up the drawbridge?

For instance - super-sweet corn - why stick in the 'maize' days?

A good point Tim, but take my example.  I joined this forum in august and I have been growing veg for the last 10 years, having been introduced to this activity by a neighbour.  My neighbour brought his seeds from Dolbies and likewise I did the same.  If you look at the previous post higher up on why did I include redskin? thats all Dolbies do.  BUT you have shown me that there is more variety out there.  Now I have the problem which one do I grow.  This list will help me get started using your experience and knowledge, I don't have to re-invent the wheel.  I will modify it over time as my own tastes and preferences kick in.

Thank you all from me and the other newbies in this area

Regards

MikeB

I like to try new varieties too.  you can do that but still grow your tried and trusted faves.  The sweetcorn seed for example I got was cheapo Early King from Wilko.  It tastes absolutely fantastic and was cheap as chips  :)  I picked a beef tomato variety just because I liked the name.  Mortgage Lifter from Fothergills and I was glad I did as the fruits were big and juicy and great for cooking and eating on cheese sarnis.  I like to hear other peeps recommendations too and I'm more likely to buy a particular variety if someone on here says it's good and worked for them.  I was disappointed with my peas but read that EJ was recommending one, so I'll probably go for that.  So I think your chart has been very helpful and thanks for helping us to help you compile it.  Fun too  :)

You have a problem, Mike? Join the club!!

And wardy, nothing wrong with Early King - just that the newer ones don't go starchy.

And I grow heritage varieties, too. And Mortgage Lifter will always be there.

Tim Do you grow Mortgage Lifter?  I thought I was on my own  ;D

No - but it is so famous?

http://www.southernexposure.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=49128&Category_Code=PTOM

Well, Mike, while I know you long to come up to my high standard in Melon cultivation, please realize it takes years of complete incompetence to reach my status....... ;D ;D ;D But I think it was Galia, must you rub it in.... ::) ::) ::) Rest of my list is pretty much the same as EJs. Best indoor tom I had was Ferline, but think it can be grown outdoors as well. If you require to tap any more into my untapped knowledge, just yell...... ;) Lottie

I have come to this post late and cannot work out what a mortgage lifter is.  Please enlighten. 

Nearly typed mortgage lifer by mistake - and they say that Freud talks what a dog has between its legs.

A Mortgage Lifter is a beef tomato which I grew this year.  I chose it as I liked the name and it turned out a good choice. Huge fruits, few seeds, but loads of juice and flavour.

Here is a pic  of my Mortgage Lifters :)

Blimey, Wardy!! Have tried Beef steak toms most years, though they taste great, are tiny! Like Melon! Perhaps I should investigate market in miniature veg........Lottie  ;)

Thank you Mike.  This is terrific.   ;D

I have my list pined up in front of the computer, just in case there should be any more edits!   ;)

And, redclanger, if you want more on the Lifter, see my link above. Simpson's do both seeds AND plants.

wardy - does it need any special treatment?

VEGETABLE QUICK REFERENCE

As a follow up to what to grow (Next year's crop), I came across this chart of when to grow, I hope it helps





Regards

MikeB

PS Lottie how was I to know?, You could have really, really big hands! Hence large melon

No...sniff...have small hands....makes it even worse... ;D ;) Great list by the way!! Lottie  ;D ;)

Tim   Only special treatment M Lifters require are stout stakes as the fruit is heavy.  My supports were far too flimsy and keeled over at the slightest draught.  They were fed with Miracle Gro which I wouldn't have used but my husband bought me a great big box full which was kind of him. I only fed them about once a week though and at normal dilution.  I grew some in tubs by the shed and the others were in growbags two deep (eg one on top of the other).  they are still fruiting now and I've got a nice big one ripening nicely

Thanks!

Wardy, I am presuming you have no blight in your area? All my toms succumbed yet again, but the Ferlines hung on the longest! ;D