I didn't think the plant was going to be up to much because as it grew, it didn't seem to have very much foliage. I'm not sure if that's what these plants usually grow like or if it's an effect of our cold spring, we gardeners put so much down to the weather. Despite my earlier misgivings, the plant's gone on to produce a decent crop of medium sized tomatoes.
On researching this variety, I've found that the plant can produce fruits which aren't uniform in size, anything as large as a beefsteak to a small cherry size, however, I haven't found this to be the case with my own plant, they're all pretty much the same size with just a few smaller than the rest. I'm growing my plant in the greenhouse but apparently, it does well outdoors and is well suited to growing in cooler temperatures and short summers so ideal for the UK.
I think you can tell from this next photo how juicy these tomatoes are. They're beautifully sweet and have definitely passed the taste test. They've even been given the thumbs up by my dad, praise indeed.
I think this will be another tomato I grow again. I'd like to try it outdoors next time and see how it fares there.
great name, I will add this one to my list for next year. I wonder if the seeds are readily available? Pics are great too!
ReplyDeleteThe seeds do seem to be readily available online. I shall definitely grow this one again.
DeleteAre you keeping some seeds from it, if you do I would be interested in giving some a try, it does look a nice firm tom :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is nice and firm. I was thinking of saving some seed but it's been grown alongside other varieties so they may have cross pollinated.
DeleteNow that's a variety I'm going to have to keep a look out for.
ReplyDeleteI grew it purely for the name, I wasn't expecting it to be so great. I shall definitely grow it again.
DeleteLovely looking tomatoes, it's great when a new thing comes together, my garden is a disappointment this year.
ReplyDeleteI think it's been a very challenging year for gardeners this year, everything started off behind because of the cold spring and the lack of sunshine means that many things have never caught up. Never mind, we can all start again next year.
DeleteI'm so glad you liked this variety. I grew it for the first time last year and was equally impressed. I especially like the fact that it's so early. I find that this variety has an average amount of foliage, so your sparse plants may have very well been due to the cooler than normal temps. And I do get some variation in size, but not as much as cherry to beefsteak. Most are the same as what you picture above, with a few being about double that size. The larger ones usually look like they are two tomatoes fused together in that they are somewhat pinched in the middle.
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed my plant producing particularly early, but then again that might be down to the cool start this year. I wasn't really expecting much from the plant at all so I'm doubly impressed, definitely a keeper.
DeleteMmmm - they look most appetising and appear to be quite fleshy and not all seed Jo. Will make a note of the name. It's never too early to start thinking of next year.
ReplyDeleteYou've got that spot on, I'm very impressed with them. They'll be on my list for next year.
DeleteI particularly like tomatoes with few seeds in them. I've never heard of this one before.
ReplyDeleteThere are quite a few seeds, but they're held well in the flesh. It has a lovely taste, definitely one to try if you haven't already done so.
DeleteThat's interesting, I'm always on the lookout for reliable good tasting varieties, tomatoes are quite tricky outside I find. I shall look out for these for next year. I've been picking a few here, not a glut by any means, there never is, but I made sauce for the freezer today - allotment onions and garlic, garden herbs and tomatoes. It makes me happy when everything is grown by me. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteIt's funny but I've always found my outdoor tomatoes out perform my greenhouse grown ones, it's no different this year, the outdoor ones are faring much better again. It's a great time of year when most things on the dinner plate comes from the garden.
DeleteBloody brilliant from the look of them! I'm having a year off tomatoes but still taking notes. This could be a contender.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, they are. I'd definitely give them a go if I were you, it's a lovely tomato and could be suited to your weather.
DeleteYou can't beat a good tomato and that looks a GREAT tomato ... nice and juicy, and very tasty!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You're right. I'm very pleased with this variety, and to think I nearly didn't buy a plant.
DeleteI used to grow Bloody Butcher when I had a greenhouse. I stopped growing it when I moved to Norfolk, but I am now wondering if I shouldn't give it a try in a sheltered corner of the garden. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI'm growing this plant in the greenhouse but I'm looking forward to trying them outdoors. The plants I grow in the garden usually do better than the ones in the greenhouse anyway so I don't think I've got anything to lose.
DeleteI will try and get seed of these for next year, they sound good.
ReplyDeleteI'm very pleased with it. I bought this as a plant but I too shall grow from seed next time.
DeleteFor me, the appeal of tomatoes is similar to that of chillis - there is just so much variety that there is always something new to explore. I never buy plants, I always grow toms from seed, but maybe I should try some (if I can find any decent ones). The ones on sale in Garden Centres are often poor specimens, and too expensive.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same about tomatoes, though I bought Maskotka plants last year when my own seed grown plants weren't doing so well, and this Bloody Butcher this year, just because I liked the name. I've never seen such a good array of tomato plants in a garden centre as the ones I saw this year, some unusual varieties and as I've found out, worth growing. I'm glad I bought it as I've found a cracking tomato.
DeleteGood looking tomatoes, and interesting to see that the fruits can vary considerably in size. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThey're wonderful tomatoes. I haven't had a huge variation in the size of my tomatoes but I know it can happen. One to grow again.
DeleteIt sounds good, we are growing from seed again so I might look out for it x
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to trying it from seed too, and also outdoors, this one's growing in the greenhouse.
DeleteFresh, and they must be so delicious. I have to wait my tomatoes ripen for about five days next
ReplyDeleteThey are delicious, I shall definitely grow them again. I hope you get some ripe tomatoes soon.
DeleteMaybe it deserves a nicer name although I guess that draws attention
ReplyDeleteIt was the name which made me want to grow it, I didn't know anything about the tomato itself when it came home from the garden centre with me.
DeleteNow that looks like a delicious tomato!xxx
ReplyDeleteThe more of them I eat, the more they impress me. Definitely one to grow again.
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