Plants

[Chief Grey Bear]

Do or have any of you bought your tomatoes, peppers or such from Wal-Mart?

I won't lie, I have been known to get a couple every now and then.

I have just never been satisfied with them.

I just wonders what your thoughts and or experiences were.

[MeatintheFreezer]

I start my tomatoes from seed just like most folks I suppose. When I transfer them to the garden, I usually go buy a few bigger plants from wally world to get a few maters a little sooner. I can't say that I can see a difference once both groups are grown and producing well. I have bought early girls, big boys, & beefsteaks.

What's you favorite type of tomato for a big slicer?

[jdmidwest]

Around here, Wally and all the other box stores buy from Bonnie Plants. I have had some issues with them. Mostly because of stress in shipping and handling by the Waltards. Shipped on a truck from Alabama I think, temperature shocked, rattled around, bruised. Then they get hosed down, exposed to frost sometimes, and picked thru. Labels get mixed around and you might end up with something totally different than what you wanted a month later when it starts to fruit. You get what you pay for.

I buy from a local greenhouse that starts his own from seed and they turn out pretty good. And his prices are just as good or better. Has a nice selection of Hybrids and Heirlooms that Big Boxes don't carry. And he stands behind them.

If I had the space or a nice greenhouse, I would start my own. I find it alot easier to stop by the greenhouse and pick them up. I usually only buy maters and peppers as plants. I start the rest from seeds direct in the garden.

[Seth]

I have had good luck with the german queen and mortgage lifters from Walmart. They are my my two favorite types. If the local greenhouse has heirloom varieties then I prefer to buy those though.

[ness]

Like JD said -- find a local greenhouse, or a garden center, and talk to them and see what looks good. I'd rather have a short, stocky plant than a big tall one. I always make sure they look healthy too, unless I'm desperate. I start from seed indoors each year, but it seems like I always end up buying a few for one reason or another.

I usually grow several heirlooms and a couple hybrids tomatoes. Celebrity hybrid is a medium-sized reliable red mater that's determinate, disease resistant, and it's widely available. Sun Gold hybrid is an outstanding yellow/orange cherry. I'm not a big cherry eater, but these have a great sweet/tart flavor almost like citrus. Heirloom favorites that are pretty available are Brandywine and Cherokee Purple. Really great flavor on those two.

[DownStream]

I second the Cherokee purple and brandywine. Yellow pear was another favorite heirloom variety.

[Jason R.]

Im just about to put a few in the ground. Sprouted cherokee purples, oxhearts, hillbillys, brandywines, russian black krims and various cherry varieties. Trying to keep it down to about five plants in my own back yard. Last year I did about 20 and it just got out of hand.

[jdmidwest]

It is still pretty early for maters in the wild. Our last frost date averages mid April here in SEMO. I think I saw 34 on Sat morning coming up here.

I have tried maters early in mid to late April here, they usually just sit there and not grow until it warms up and we get more sunlight. They are a warm weather plant.

[Jason R.]

Youre right JD- im going to keep them under the lights for at least a week or two. Theyre just getting too danged big. Started too early.

[tho1mas]

Tax day - plant & keep your 5 gal/ buckets handy.