[PaPaLarry]

I'm finding it very tough to grow tomatoes in Florida. I planted 3 tomatoe plants in the middle of March, and got best results from "Big Boy" plants. Then in April I put a plant in back yard, in area that only gets afternoon sun. Plant grew pretty good, with less yellow leaves. (Maybe I got a crop of about 30-35 tomatoes so far as the plant continues to grow) It's not a Big Boy either, and tomatoes are mostly size of peaches. So last week I planted two more in back to see if they grow better. Has anyone had good luck with tomatoes, and maybe have some hints for growing here in The Villages

[asianthree]

have you tried heirlooms they might work better

[jojo]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

I'm finding it very tough to grow tomatoes in Florida. I planted 3 tomatoe plants in the middle of March, and got best results from "Big Boy" plants. Then in April I put a plant in back yard, in area that only gets afternoon sun. Plant grew pretty good, with less yellow leaves. (Maybe I got a crop of about 30-35 tomatoes so far as the plant continues to grow) It's not a Big Boy either, and tomatoes are mostly size of peaches. So last week I planted two more in back to see if they grow better. Has anyone had good luck with tomatoes, and maybe have some hints for growing here in The Villages

Sounds like you are doing well with tomatoes. I just canned several pints today. I plant in mid-February. However, I've had no luck in July and August. I plant again in September. i too have good luck with Big Boys. I keep experimenting with others. Celebrity is supposed to be good for central Florida.

This is info on frost dates for zip code 32162 -
Each winter, on average, your risk of frost is from December 8 through February 25.Almost certainly, however, you will receive frost from January 11 through January 31.
You are almost guaranteed that you will not get frost from March 21 through November 3.
Your frost-free growing season is around 286 days.

[graciegirl]

Mine are just turning red and the plant is full of tomatoes. I have watered everyday, it is in full sun and I used Rapidgro. JoJo has had success for several years and she is the reason that I even tried. My dad tried raising tomatoes near Venice, Florida and said his tomatoes were never as good as those from Ohio.

JoJo...You canned four pints of tomatoes!!! My grandmother would be so proud of you. You are an Ohio girl for sure!

[PaPaLarry]

Now that you mention "Celebrity", thats the one in back yard thats growing pretty good. Maybe its because we have an "angel" statue next to it?? Hmmmmm? Frost dates are interesting to know. I try to get first plant in, as early as possible without getting hit by frost. I meant to stop at Garden Club next to the Woodshop, to see if I can get any pointers. Their vegetables always look so healthy when I go to Woodshop. Thanks JoJo for tip. Gracie, when you say your plants are laden, does that mean weak? Like you ohio people, we in New Hampshire grow great tomatoes too, but can't plant till after Memorial Day, or close to it.

[nitehawk]

Tomatoes grown in florida sand do not have the same taste as tomatoes grown in the northeast where the soil is not sand but real soil - same for the corn, and many veg - even the beef is different i think it is grass feed not grain feed

[MLBellis]

we put ours in a big pot of northern soil & our plants do real good, but it is the water here in Fl that makes everything taste bad

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by MLBellis

we put ours in a big pot of northern soil & our plants do real good, but it is the water here in Fl that makes everything taste bad

Kind of like the water in New York that makes the bagels taste good?

[njbchbum]

if you wish to pay the shipping [i won't charge a villager for handling!] i'd be happy to send you some good old jersey dirt and water [not yet mixed )]! there's nuthin' like a fresh picked jersey tomato!

ps - i always thought a second career could be made by bottling my tap water and selling it under the label - old fashioned nj water and packaging my backyard as nj tomato dirt - i'd soon have room for an in-ground pool!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

if you wish to pay the shipping [i won't charge a villager for handling!] i'd be happy to send you some good old jersey dirt and water [not yet mixed )]! there's nuthin' like a fresh picked jersey tomato!

ps - i always thought a second career could be made by bottling my tap water and selling it under the label - old fashioned nj water and packaging my backyard as nj tomato dirt - i'd soon have room for an in-ground pool!

Now I have not had any off the vine New Jersey Tomatoes grown in New Jersey soil so I may be wrong..........but I felt I should point out that Ohio's State fruit is the tomato, and Ohio is the second largest producer of tomatoes in U.S. behind California. My niece from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, touted as "The Birthplace of the Tomato" was the Tomato Queen one year.

Read this bragging article below, please.

The Best Tomato Varieties for Ohio | eHow.com

Plus, I remember when I was a kid and taking the salt shaker outside and picking a tomato and salting it and eating it on the front porch. YUM. I love tomatoes.

[njbchbum]

now, graciegirl, i am not about to get into a pi**ing match about tomatoes! but i will say that MY favorite sandwich is what i call the tomato sink sandwich...a fresh sliced jersey tomato and a slice of american cheese between 2 slices of white bread which must be eaten over the sink because the tomato is too juicy to eat elsewhere!

the tomato may have been named the state fruit in ohio - but - has it been mentioned in a song about ohio or the girls in ohio as it has been in n.j.?

Why don't they sing about Jersey
Where the sun shines all the time?
Why do they sing about Dixie
And the girls from the Caroline?
The girls from Georgia are peaches.
And the girls from Texas ain't slow.
But why don't they sing about Jersey
Where the great big tomatoes grow
(You 'oughta see 'em!),
Where the great big tomatoes grow?
[William Keller]

[KayakerNC]

I would suggest an EarthBox self-watering container.
Potting Mix. (not soil)
A rain barrel for the best water.

Enjoy!

[CaptJohn]

Try planting your tomatoes in 5 gallon containers with good soil. Could be either NJ or OH soil. Personally, I visit friends
in Ohio and have not been to NJ so I'll have to side with Gracie, however in all fairness I think y'all should both bring tomatoes from those 2 states and we'll have a taste contest for bragging rights at a future Crispers meeting!.

With out of the ground buckets, etc. you can control everything better. I love good, fresh tomatoes too! Gracie's got the right idea to pick them directly off the vine, salt them and eat away! Or just plain tomato, mayo and bread sandwiches.
I don't buy them at the store since they're so tasteless there (only romas are decent here but they're still lacking). Farmer's markets are next best to home grown (if they're local).

[graciegirl]

I love all the posts that NJBchBum makes and I love her recipe for a tomato sink sandwich. I really have never had a New Jersey tomato so I could be wrong, but it is very hard to think of anything more yummy than an Ohio tomato.

Yesterday I made salsa from my Florida Tomatoes.

Six medium tomatoes scalded and peeled and then chopped
a small can of mild chilies put into Cuisinart with half an onion and a large clove of garlic and cilantro...(this time also from my yard) salt and pepper. One teaspoon or a little more of salad oil.

YUM.

[njbchbum]

capt john - how i wish i could deliver my jersey tomatoes to your doorstep - and gracie's, too! alas, i'll not return to the villages 'til mid-january - and you sure would not want me to save them for you 'til then!

am watching the daily development of 11 beefsteaks on the vine already - could be a bumper crop this year! makes my mouth water just to think of it!