Tomato help

[Dr. Evil]

I am wanting to plant some tomatoes again this year, but don't know which variety to choose. I live in San Antonio and would love to hear suggestions on which varieties would do best here. Last year my plants burned up and the birds got them.

Thanks

[unclefish]

Get them started right now! Either in pots or in the ground... but protect from freezes. You're right....they burn up if you wait til the last freeze to plant them....you've got to trick them.
Celebrity is a very common but good one. Brandywine is one I'm trying this year after winning several taste awards. I also like Better Bush and Rutgers.

Raise your beds and fill with good compost soil. Tomatoes like calcium so put some lime in your beds. Pick them when they just start to turn pink or the friggin' mockingbirds will have a field day. Let em finish ripening in the house and don't refrigerate them. Good luck!!

[Target-panic]

Find you a retired man or couple, that always have a garden in your neighborhood. They always enjoy how well their garden grows. Introduce yourself and you are on the right track.

[Johnny]

unclefish mentioned two that I grow every year...celebrity and better bush. I also grow big boy's which is another good one. I won't be sticking mine in the ground till mid March.

[Need4speed1]

Try the Square foot garden method! Although later in the season, I had some of the same problems, mine produced well. My bell peppers and jalepeno peppers were huge producers! Pot them now then transplant into a bigger pot in a couple of weeks,if you can, then put them in the ground in mid March and in SA you shouldn't have to worry about a freeze. Bury them deep. I plant mine horizontally and gently bend the tip up and lust expose a few inches. they will grow straight in a few days. Good luck!

[Rudey]

Also check out Howard Garrett's Dirtdoctor website for information. He's got some excellent information for Texas gardening on there!

[Willhunt4food]

I put red glass X-mas bulbs on my plants brids hit these after a lil bit they will stop! I got my plants going now grapes,better bush,big boy,and celebrity!! Good luck!

[glen]

I have mine started inside adn will not goto the ground until March. Big Boy have been good in the Austin area.

[Bill]

I also like Better Bush and Rutgers.

My alma mater. Somebody in TX growing a New Jersey tomato?

I like having several plants of the cherry tomatoes, great in salads.

[Draco]

Texas Gardener magazine's pick for best performing tomato is Big Beef. I've grown them for the last three years and they have been my best performer by far. Carnival and Champion are best. Try different kinds as every spot has it's own best. Just be sure to plant them at least 12" apart so they don't cross pollinate. Good luck, Bob

[bowmansdad]

For my neck of the woods, I'm planting Celebrity for producing the most, Champion for
the biggest and Sweet Chelsea for the longest producer. The Sweet Chelsea produces until the first frost. Going to put in the ground Monday and hope for the best, I have another set if they don't make it.

[tarjake]

celebreties and better boys are what my dad grows. he has been market gardening since 85 and has tried a bunch. start 'em now in a window box, or greenhouse, depending on how many you are growing. when i was still a legal slave for my folks, i remember we had a thousand plants one year. (oh my achin' back!)

[GreenArrow]

People think I'm nuts when I say this but my tomato plants well last me a year and half.... I still have mine that I bough last march 07, she has a bunch of flowers and couple tomatos... Cherrys do really well... so do better bush and big boy... but the secrets in the top soil and the place you put em... I suggest getting your hands on some rabbit or chicken manure... best fertilizer... beats cow and sheep manure... by far... look around for you local farmer... right now would be the time to fertilize.

[fluffer]

Quick Question: Where is the best place to buy seeds for the variety's that you guys have mentioned? Seems like alot of the seed companies dont carry many of these varieties...Is home depot etc a good place to buy vegetable seeds? Thanks for the help...