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We finally got round to clearing away the tomato plants on Sunday. They've done better than I hoped this year, they suffered a few set backs at the start of the year with one thing or another, and I ended up buying a few plants in as well as managing to keep some which I'd grown from seed.
The photo shows the last fruit I managed to harvest from the plants before they were consigned to the compost bin. The green ones have been laid out on the windowsill where they'll, hopefully, ripen.
I've been especially pleased with the Maskotka variety this year. I bought two plants from a local plant sale and they've done really well. They're a cherry variety and have produced a huge crop of delicious, sweet tasting fruit. They're definitely on the list for growing again next year.
Other varieties I've already decided to grow next year are Totem and Gardener's Delight, other cherry types, and Ailsa Craig, a medium sized tomato.
It looks like I've quite a while to wait until I taste a tomato again as I rarely buy them, they just don't taste the same as home grown.
Is Maskotka an outdoor variety?
ReplyDeleteI grew it outdoors, but it's a variety which can be grown both outdoors or in a greenhouse. I've been very impressed by it this year.
DeleteSad isn't it picking the last few? So worth the effort as like you say homegrown taste so much nicer.
ReplyDeleteX x
It's very sad, I shall be waiting patiently for spring to arrive so that I can get some seeds sown again.
DeleteLike you, I don't buy a lot of tomatoes. The ones in the shops often seem tasteless and insipid. I'm going to try the Beefsteak varieties again next year, because I don't think this year was a fair test of them. Of course I will also be growing Maskotka again!
ReplyDeleteI've grown Costoluto Fiorentino the last couple of years, a very tasty beefsteak variety. I can recommend it. I think Maskotka is a keeper, a great taste and lots of fruit.
DeleteYou did surprising well in the end.
ReplyDeleteI'll be growing Gardener's Delight, Golden Sunrise and perhaps one other next year.
Like you I rarely buy them, apart from tinned ones.
Flighty xx
I wasn't expecting great things from my tomatoes this year but it was good to be proved wrong. I'm not sure if I'll grow more than the four varieties I've mentioned next year, I'm sure I'll be swayed by something I see.
DeleteWe always grow Ailsa Craig and they always do very well. We had lovely cherry and plums tomatoes this year and a very good harvest. I picked the last of them and there were very few still green. I'm hoping they'll ripen indoors.
ReplyDeleteAilsa Craig is a variety my dad always grew, I grew them this year and they did ok. I've found a packet of unopened seeds so I may as well grow them again next year. I remember the year I had to bring most of my tomatoes indoors to ripen as it just wasn't happening outside, they all managed to turn red in the end.
DeleteOur harvesting in general is slowing up considerably now.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you've managed to harvest as much as you have for so long. There's not much left to harvest on my plot.
DeleteI've really missed out home grown tomatoes this year. Fingers crossed for next.
ReplyDeletexx
Tomatoes are the one thing I'd hate to be without. Let's hope it's a good year for them next year.
DeleteI read that a banana will help green tomatoes ripen, so I am trying it at the moment. I missed having cherry tomatoes this year and you are right, shop bought ones just do not come close in taste x
ReplyDeleteMy grandma always used to wrap her green tomatoes in a woolen jumper and put them in a drawer, it worked wonders. I think I eat more cherry tomatoes that any others so I've decided that most of my plants will be of the cherry variety next year.
DeleteAlways interesting to read other folk's verdicts on tomatoes Jo. My packet of Maskotka will definitely be sown next spring.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you'll be disappointed with Maskotka. I can see them being a regular feature on my to sow list.
DeleteThink I'll give Matsoka a try next year - I grew a new variety this year Cuor di Bue - a heart shaped tomato - pink rather than red but they grow pretty big and are very tasty.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to try new tomato varieties, and sometimes you come across ones which are winners. I was very pleased with Maskotka this year, so good that I'll grow it again.
DeleteWe had to pull our last tomato plants out about a month ago since they were all blighted. "Matt's Wild Cherry" lasted the longest but even that one is long gone now. I think I will be trying Maskotka next year, too! Does it seem to have a better disease-resistance than other varieties?
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame when tomatoes get blight. Luckily, my plants have never suffered from blight so I'm unable to answer your question about Maskotka being a better disease resistance variety, but I'd say it's worth growing whether or not as the fruit is extremetly tasty and gives such a good yield.
DeleteI remember your tomato troubles earlier in the year Jo and so I am very glad for you that you have had good crops all summer. I hope that the last few ripen up for you! xx
ReplyDeleteI really thought I might be without tomatoes this year after all the problems I had earlier on in the year so I'm very pleased that they did well in the end.
DeleteIt's always a sad moment when the last of the tomatoes are eaten isn't it. You're right that the shop ones are never the same. I've made a note of Maskotka, I shall grow it next year if I can find the seeds.
ReplyDeleteDisposing of the tomato plants really heralds the end of the growing season for me. I haven't bought my Maskotka seeds yet but I believe that Thompson and Morgan do them so they should be easy to come by.
DeleteIt's always sad to see the end of the toms isn't it? I still have lots but will have to bring them all in soon too. Very true about the bought ones tasting of nothing.
ReplyDeleteI grew striped surfer this year as well as GD and a beef tom, I was delighted with them all.xxx
I had a couple of duds this year which I won't bother growing again, but I've found a great one in Maskotka, that's definitely on the list to grow again.
DeleteThat looks like a wonderful harvest to me, Jo. Here, folks make fried green tomatoes to use up the last of them. Delicious! P. x
ReplyDeleteI've heard of fried green tomatoes but never tried it. I find that they usually ripen when left on the windowsill and there aren't that many green ones this year anyway.
DeleteMy harvesting is over now, last of the courgettes this week. You do well with your tomatoes after such a rocky start.
ReplyDeleteThe tomatoes came good in the end. It's a sad time when harvests come to an end but there's plenty to look forward to again next year.
DeleteMaskotka was one of my new tomatoes this year, Jo. I thought it was very good, nice shape, nice flavour. (I got my seeds from Sea Spring Seeds.) I did miss my Sub-Arctic tomatoes though that I've grown in previous years and can see I'll have to make more room for tomatoes next year. There's quite a choice now, it's getting harder to finalise the list! The last of my plants will be pulled this weekend but I had a few Sungold toms from my balcony plants just before I read this post! I'm cherishing every mouthful now!
ReplyDeleteI hate clearing away the tomatoes, it really does feel as though the gardening year has come to an end. There's so many different tomato varieties. I enjoy trying new ones but I've definitely found a keeper with Maskotka, I've really enjoyed it this year.
DeleteLast week I unloaded my tomato plot, they already not productive. I have to use my land as productive as possible.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame about your tomato plants but I agree, it's no use keeping plants which aren't productive. That space can be used for something else which will provide a good harvest.
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