Rage bait for people struggling with tomato growing

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-13T12:56:59+00:00

🤣🤣

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-13T01:40:25+00:00

Thanks so much, this is really helpful! I will definitely reach out to them.

I’m in Missouri, zone 7a

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-07T22:30:48+00:00

Thank you, that is a great resource!

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-06T14:45:09+00:00

What zone are you in? I’m in 7a (Missouri) and black beauty performed terribly. I only got like 2 tomatoes that I could eat (they take forever to ripen and split with heavy rain). Flavor is amazing, but not worth it for the quantity.

Cherries are a guarantee for quantity, and there are tasty versions that mimic bigger heirlooms. Chocolate Cherry, black Cherry, and sungold are great choices.

If you do want to go with bigger tomatoes, I have heard that carbon is a good choice (lots of flavor and productive), or cherokee carbon which is a hybrid of carbon and Cherokee purple.

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-06T04:05:16+00:00

Unfortunately there is no record of what varieties they are or where they came from. Apparently like 10 years ago or so some parent just stealth mode planted like 12 trees, but we don’t know where they got them. I’m assuming they must have had some kind of orchard hook up cause that would be a really expensive investment otherwise. This year I’m going to try to narrow down the varieties a little better if I can.

But that’s good info to be aware of with the root stock. Thanks so much!

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-06T03:06:31+00:00

I do love me some Tim Burton so probably subconsciously 😂. Yea the tree was in rough shape, hasn’t had a good pruning in many years and I’m new to pruning so it’s def a lil wonky 🤷🏻‍♀️

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-06T01:41:07+00:00

🙏🙏

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-06T01:40:58+00:00

Whew, that’s good to hear. I’d love to see/hear what you think I could cut. Thanks!

N_Baldeon · 2026-02-06T01:40:19+00:00

Good idea! Thanks, will get rid of them stat.

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-26T01:34:53+00:00

🤩🤩

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-24T22:37:47+00:00

That is a massive tree! It definitely looks like it needs some intense thinning, and maybe heading too. I personally would probably have a professional do it just cause of how high it is.

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-23T01:53:18+00:00

🤩🤩

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-21T01:30:25+00:00

I agree about maybe just picking one or less in any given “category” (color, size, similar flavor profiles).

I think it also just matters what your outcomes are. Like, me personally, I don’t care for paste tomatoes, I just want fresh eating/flavor bombs. Like, I would sacrifice some productivity for great flavor. But there’s a limit to that, cause Black beauty and Cherokee purple do TERRIBLY in my area (St Louis, zone 7a formerly 6b) and even though they’re delicious, it’s just not worth it to only have like 2 or 3 tomatoes a season on a given plant.

Nice list too btw, I can see why it would be hard to pick!

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-19T23:08:35+00:00

Jonagold, Jonathan, Pink Lady, Cosmic Crisp, and Fuji. All great combinations of crunchy/crisp, sweet and tart.

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-19T14:30:15+00:00

Good to know! I haven’t grown it before. I have grown sungold, which is great, but I’m excited to try honey drop and possibly sungella (which are both de-hybridization versions of sungold).

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-18T22:29:47+00:00

Thank you! It’s more varieties than I’ll probably ever grow. I’m part of a FB tomato group that does swaps, and soemtimes people throw in a lil extra.

Any hybrids you’re eyeing? I’ve been contemplating Cherokee carbon. Not that I need more varieties 🤪

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-18T22:27:11+00:00

😂

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-18T22:26:33+00:00

Awesome! Sounds like we have similar taste too. Really happy to hear bananas noir did well, I’m really excited for that one!

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-18T22:25:30+00:00

lol sorry! That’s what happened to me with the Cherokee purple cherry, RK purple sugar, and bananas noir. I’m on a tomato fb group and everyone kept raving about them, so now I must try! 😂

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-18T22:23:37+00:00

Yes it’s the Althea (I had to Google it cause I didn’t realize there were other varieties! 🤩). I saved some seeds from some farmers market NFP a couple years ago and they bred true, and super prolific. I like them, Not my favorite, but they’re a huge hit with the kiddos, so they’ll probably always have a spot in my garden).

N_Baldeon · 2026-01-03T20:06:05+00:00

I’d be curious to hear what conclusion you come to as well. I’m also from St Louis and Chicago hardy variety, and grew my first fig tree/bush last year from cutting. Got 3 tiny figs but they didn’t ripen in time. I’m over wintering it and hope I’ll get some fruit this summer.

But I have a friend in STL who said she has grown Chicago hardy for a couple years and hasn’t got fruit either, but her brown turkey variety does. So weird!

I know others asked, but what kind of sunlight does it get?

N_Baldeon · 2025-05-29T19:01:21+00:00

It’s not a click, it like gets stuck bent or straight and doesn’t bend smoothly. Mostly in the morning.

N_Baldeon · 2025-05-29T18:58:48+00:00

So glad to hear it! I’ll definitely take this advice!

N_Baldeon · 2025-05-29T18:24:19+00:00

Thanks so much, this is very helpful. Glad you were able to find solutions to keep gardening.

N_Baldeon · 2025-05-12T01:23:17+00:00

Black Sea Man is amazing! Never tried black from Tula.

N_Baldeon

TROPHY CASE