The blanket of snow is slowly being folded back. Maybe in a few more days I will be able to see bare soil in all my garden beds. I did have a spirit lifter on March 21st. I saw a large blooming circle of bright yellow crocus--hope springs eternal---.
I looked at the March and April 2018 entries in my garden journal. On March 29 I started a mixed Bio-Dome of Oregon Spring tomatoes and Gold Nugget cherry tomatoes. On April 6 my forsythia was blooming. This year the snow still covers half the shrub.
Being that it is now March 23, I need to get my seed starting schedule and my supplies organized. Hopefully the snow will melt enough in the next few days to allow me to open the door to the garden shed and retrieve the supplies and the component parts of the light table.The Bio-Domes I use were cleaned last fall and stored in plastic bins. You'd think it would be a good to go situation--not so. It is always necessary to disinfect planting supplies, trays, pots, any of your seed starting equipment in a 10% bleach solution. A quick dip in and out is enough. Taking the time to do the process helps to insure you are starting out minus any overwintered problems.
The question I am most often asked at this time of year is which tomato varieties do I grow.
I always try several new varieties. I consider that as being half the fun of growing your own. The suspense can go on for months--will it?--won't it?--full flavor?--weak flavor?
The tomato varieties I try aren't necessarily new to the market, just new to my garden. Some may be on the edge of what we should be growing in our limited high desert growing season and I fully accept the fact that I may not see results. I also accept the fact that they may need more site considerations,
New to the trials this year include:
Orange Slice is a 75 day indeterminate beefsteak hybrid with "full-bodied flavor".Fourth of July is an indeterminate early harvest (49 days) 4 oz. tomato.
Sweet Aperitif is an 80 day cherry "bursting with a complex wine-like taste and tropical aroma".
Beaverlodge is a 55 day determinate slicer that came to my attention in an e-mail from Florence, OR. The tomato was developed at Beaverlodge Research Center in Alberta, Canada. I am very anxious to chart this variety.
My tried and true list has remained the same for many years. It wouldn't be a good summer if I didn't have these varieties in the garden.
Oregon Spring is a 60 day determinate slicer. OSU developed.
Gold Nugget is a 60 day rich flavored cherry. OSU developed.
Legend is a 68 day determinate slicer. OSU developed.
Siletz is a 70-75 day slicer. OSU developed.
Sweet Million is a 65-75 day cherry. It's like eating candy. Very disease resistant. Have grown this favorite for over 25 years.
San Marzano is a 78 day roma type, best in sauces, pastes and soups.
Camp Joy is a 70 day heirloom cherry from Renee's Garden. I added this to the tried and true list about 5 years ago. When ordering any seeds from Renee's, use the code FR 663A. A 25% contribution of the code sales will be sent to COMGA at years end.
I have two varieties that are specifically for greenhouse growing. I consider it good insurance in case we have a really lousy summer.
Cobra F1 is a 72 day slicer.
Applegate F1 is a 75 day saladette tomato.
Success in tomato growing can be tricky in our high desert climate It is important to choose seed varieties with a maturity time of between 65-75 days. Then add 14 days to compensate for the swing between warm days and cool nights.
Keep in mind that tomato growth slows down when the daytime temperature hits above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't be impatient if all is going well and suddenly the planta seem to slow down, they will rebound.
Check out the Gardening: Get Good At It segment on Integrated Pest Management airing on KPOV 88.9 FM "The Point" on April 2 between 9-9:30 am.
Great article with lots of suggestions for tomato lovers!
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