Comparing Over 15 Different Tomato Varieties! -- *Which Ones Stink?*

Our 2021 Tomato Trials are well underway and we're comparing over 15 different varieties -- heirloom, hybrid, determinate, and indeterminate. Join us to see which varieties are performing well and which ones don't look so great.
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[@travis2511]

Had to work 3-11 today but soon as I got home turn the TV on and told the wife... alright alright alright let's spend a little time in the garden 😂

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-cv1xe9yf3f]

I had good luck with a variety called Supersteak this year. It is indeterminate. Good taste, production, disease resistance, heat tolerance, no cracking or BER. The only downside is a long time to ripen the one pound and over fruits.

[@anitawitt84]

Tomatoes go in ground this week. Zone 7 central Oklahoma

[@chuckellison9946]

Planted 24 Big Beef and 24 Better Boys and the Big Beef are huge and loaded with tomatoes, the Better Boys are trying to catch up but I’m impressed with the Big Beef.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing. I haven't been super impressed with Better Boy, but the game is not over.

[@lindahipple4817]

I planted Tachi, Celebrity, Red Snapper, Big Boy, Atomic Grape, Cherokee Purple, and Roadster. So far all have great looking green fruits, the cows' tail is the Cherokee Purple so far but we've had some chilly nites too.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Cherokee Purple is a great-tasting tomato, but we don't have good luck with the plants here. They're not quite as hardy as they need to be for our growing conditions.

[@candacethompson2521]

German Johnson is our favorite tomato. Hope you enjoy them. You talked about looking like poo after weave. The indeterminate tomatoes look like poo after I lift up the branches on my cages. I also lift my branches every two or three days. Waiting a week really makes them look like poo and I break branches waiting that long. I love indeterminate tomatoes, because here in Indiana from that first tomatoe, we are picking until frost.i love your channel.. keep it up. Blessings.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I should probably do it every 2-3 days like you recommended. There is quite a bit of delicacy to pushing them through the cage without breaking them.

[@marysills4317]

My Abe Lincoln was the smallest of all tomatoes and didn’t produce much at all. I’m growing Red Snappers for the first time. They are in buckets and started them a bit late. But they have beautiful fruit, not a lot, but a good size to use for slicing and canning. Can’t wait to taste them.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Yeah Abe Lincoln never impressed us this year. Hope you enjoy those Red Snappers. We really like that variety.

[@kyleebenstein3442]

Glad I'm not the only one with lots of tomato varieties growing in the garden! 😅

[@LazyDogFarm]

Just can't help it. Too many good ones to choose from!

[@user-cv1xe9yf3f]

One of the producers near me uses Bush Early Girl plants and does not stake, prune or water. He gets tremendous production. IDK if he sprays or not. He says the secret is in the fertilizer he uses.

[@mariemcknight9622]

Best of luck with your new channel! You’re one hard working young man & I’ve really appreciated all your advice over the past year or two! Also, I’ve purchased a few sets of seeds from you over this past year.... you and Hoss Tools were there for me when all the other suppliers were dragging their feet! Thanks

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for joining us on the new channel Marie!

[@user-cv1xe9yf3f]

Wherever you get your wheat straw you have to be sure it was not sprayed with the broadleaf herbicide Grazon Next HL or similar aminopyralid or clopyralid chemicals.

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

I’m excited about the TSWV improved varieties! If a tomato doesn’t have that resistance I simply can’t grow it here!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Same here. We have limited success with varieties that don't have some level of disease resistance.

[@markware7748]

You're miles and miles ahead of me. I'm still under lights and over heat mats with the safe frost free date still 3 weeks away. 6700 ' elevation. Determinates this year in the hoop house are 5 each Bella Rosa, Summerpick, Red Snapper, Roadster, Tachi, and one called Grand Marshall. I'll be trialing them all against each other for vine ripe production and flavor, of course. Seven gallon nursery pots (52), drip emitters , fertigator, Florida weave. Many thanks to you, Travis, for putting my feet on the determinate path of wisdom. Got some new weave wand mods to try out this year.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Keep us updated on the weave wand mods. Those determinates are probably the way to go for you considering the shorter growing season.

[@MultiDragon1313]

Last year my Abe Lincoln grew up to 10 ft tall and produced 2.5 to 3 lb fruit

[@LazyDogFarm]

Wow! I doubt ours will get that tall. All tomatoes are toast here come mid-July usually. Maybe we'll at least get a few of those monster tomatoes though.

[@IDunnoYouTellMe2152]

John, did you get the leaf-curl? How did you deal with it?

[@cmchatton1680]

Travis, If you can find rice straw in Georgia, it works really well for mulching your plants. I used wheat straw four years ago and I had wheat sprouting every year like weeds. Finally got all of the wheat killed off this year. I love your content, products, and your videos! You have a beautiful family too! John McHatton, California

[@LazyDogFarm]

Never seen rice straw, but I'll keep my eyes open.

[@lindasanchez354]

Beautiful Garden... We are just picking cucumbers here in Chackbay, La.

[@LazyDogFarm]

It won't be long for us. Ours are loaded with blooms.

[@mysuburbanadventures9241]

Another awesome show lots of information, congrats on over 4000 your on a roll hope it keeps moving for you.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks! We feel very blessed.

[@cityofoaks]

We have a small garden. Our best tomato this year has been the Kellogg's Breakfast (we planted Kellogg's Breakfast, German Johnson, Early Girl (not a favorite), and Amish Paste (good but we don't have enough plants to really make those worthwhile). Those Kellogg's Breakfast have been HUGE, good sweetness to acidity balance, and prolific. I've got a 5" diameter one sitting on the counter right now that weighs 20 3/4 ounces. We also planted some Orange Hat (micro tomatoes) that did really well. Very prolific and sweet. For our second planting (zone 8b) I'm doing more Kellogg's Breakfast, Rebekah Allen, Berkley Tie Dye Pink. Our first time for the Rebekah Allen and Berkley Tie Dye Pink.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing your tomato trials. Our largest Kellogg's was 28 ounces, but hoping to grow a 2 pounder next year!

[@cityofoaks]

@@LazyDogFarm WOW! 😍

[@olsonoutdoors783]

Wow great tomato patch!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@mary-catherinekunz6920]

Hey Travis, I wish I had some home grown tomatoes 🍅. Can taste them already. Also peppers....yummy. Thanks for letting us know which varieties you grow. Celebrity is always on my list too.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Celebrity did okay for us last year, but looking forward to seeing how this Celebrity Plus does.

[@ddrake54fl]

Glad I found you!! I retired a couple of years back and now started gardening on my farm. We mostly have timber now. Thanks for the informative channels.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Welcome!

[@KrazyKajun602]

Travis, can you do a video on looking back at 2021 and your top 5 varieties of each (Tomatoes,peppers,cucumbers,squash,....)

[@LazyDogFarm]

We actually did two of them just recently. Here's Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5jGfJeHi65leLM And here's Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5u8iJtvfZWbj8U

[@pfurr281]

Learned so much from you thanks for sharing all your information it really helps me do my best planting in my garden thanks from NC

[@LazyDogFarm]

You are so welcome

[@carolavant3778]

Hey, Travis! My tomatoes went in a few weeks after yours - about mid-April - Crazy weather here in the Florida panhandle and getting my garden tilled slowed me up just a bit. So far, all of the varieties I've planted are doing really well. I've got Tachi, Southern Ripe, Invincible, Florida 91, Bella Rosa and Brickyard. The Tachi was the first to flower, but now all of them are flowering. Size-wise, they're all about the same at this point. The wind here has been fierce this year!! I had two Tachi and one Invincible snap off at the ground this week, but luckily, I had some still in the trays to replace them. I replanted them and through some dirt to them all and installed my t-posts and stakes. BTW, I've been using those plastic coated metal garden stakes for a couple of years now, and they work really well. I've gone with t-post every 4 plants and a garden stake between every two not next to a t-post for tomatoes. I'll be doing pretty much the same with the peppers, Touchdown and Cherokee bells, and Tiburon Poblano, but I put a garden stake between every plant not next to t-post. I got up early this morning and finished the tomatoes and look really pretty!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to know about the plastic stakes. They're probably a bit cheaper than the metal posts.

[@Madcowa]

Hey Travis, thanks for the informative vid. I grew the Gypsy peppers for the first time this year and they were very productive and very sweet. Also , grew Roadster, Bella Rosa and Invincible tomatoes this year and all did excellent. In Zone 7B.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing. We're definitely growing Roadster again this year. I was impressed at the size of those.

[@ES-lc8me]

I use a broken fishing pole as my Fla weave guide. Love that hat... Go Dawgs!!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good idea with the broken pole. It's actually a Green Bay Packer hat, but I agree -- Go Dawgs!

[@davidward1259]

Travis, I'm having good luck with "Jamestown" this year (first time I've grown them). It's from the same developer as the Florida 91 and is a determinate. Nice strong open plants with lots of blossoms. No fruit yet, but I was reluctant to set them out due to the late cold snaps we had in GA this year (Atlanta area zone 8a).

[@LazyDogFarm]

I've heard good things about Jamestown from the Seminis folks. Might have to give it a try next year.

[@jimmytaco2233]

I’ve finally found you! I’m so happy, rly been missing your videos. Your a tough guy to find haha. Maybe you could tag your name in one of your up coming videos so you’ll be easier to find for anyone else whose been looking for your new channel? I’m really digging your new videos. The personal touch of having your family in more of your videos is awesome! I’m curious if you’re indeterminate tomatoes are getting sick and dying off about the same time as your determinate tomatoes why don’t you trellis them w/ the Florida weave like you do w/ the your determinate tomatoes? Also it looks like you aren’t single or double stemming your indeterminate tomatoes like most people do, why is that? I think it would be cool if you had a couple indeterminate tomatoes that you single or double stemmed to compare them to the ones you didn’t. Anyways gonna stop running my jaw now haha. Glad to see your back and your family is doing well. Cheers!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad you found us! I tried weaving the indeterminate tomatoes last year with 8' tall t-posts. It worked okay and I won't say that I won't try it again, but I decided to go with the cages this year because the plants can become hard to manage as they get taller with the weave.

[@eroggero]

Yes we’ve had tomato production for three weeks or so, growing the Bella Rosa which is doing good. And growing the jubilee which is flowering now but I’ve had not seen any fruits yet . Then I thought I try the black Kim in a self wicking pot plant is doing great I actually have four or five tomatoes starting to form looking forward to trying that.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Jubilee is a great-tasting tomato. I grew it a couple years ago and really liked it. I need to add it back to the rotation next year.

[@cynthiaedwards5149]

Can't wait to see how your plus variety do! Congrats on your 4k!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Cynthia! We feel very blessed to have the channel growing like it is.

[@IDunnoYouTellMe2152]

I have had the same experience with the Abe Lincoln. - we will see how they progress. I hate to see the leaf-curl. My Better Boys are about like yours, doing pretty well. My Tomatillos are going absolutely crazy! No fruit yet, though! Thanks for the updates and all the gardening lessons!!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

I hear those Abe Lincolns make some massive tomatoes, so hopefully we'll at least get a couple.

[@eanderson1801]

Not only great content, but you have a good ear for music

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks. I really enjoy that part of the video editing process.

[@jn-xs9ug]

Great looking tomato garden! Do u spray regularly for prevention? If so, what do u use? BTs... spinosad? Do u shoot the microboost or 20.20.20 soluble to them once a week? How often do u mix in the Calcium nitrate? On planting and one nore time after? TySm for sharing your expertise and trials!!!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

I've only sprayed twice thus far -- used a mixture of B.t. and copper. Probably will have to increase the frequency soon.

[@randyketcham3840]

Looks good. You have done well with all of the up and down temps and quite a bit of rain this spring.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Just doing the best we can with what the weather gives us.

[@SaltydogNC]

Looking forward to seeing which ones you think taste the best. This year we went with some unusual varieties from Blue Boar and also planted some of the tomatoes out of the Univ of FL experimental program as well as some favorite heirlooms like Brandywine and Black Krim. I started them extremely early for NC, and had a 28 degree night under Agribon, but they came through and are way ahead of schedule for this area. Cages are two rebar mesh panels folded on the ends and woven together with rebar wire twists. It makes a 7ft tall cage that is about 2ft square and works well with indeterminate tomatoes. They eventually form a hard rust coat that won't rub off.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Please do share the results from the experimental varieties when they start producing.

[@jeaniepartridge6701]

My Abe Lincolns are doing great here in Missouri didn't do well last year but none of my tomatoes did well last year but the year before they were fabulous. I actually got them in later this year not until June. My first year for Bella Rosa and I am impressed. First year for Tachi and they are really slow.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Once the Tachi's start going, watch out. They'll load up!

[@jeaniepartridge6701]

@@LazyDogFarm Travis I went out to tie up the Bella Rosas and the fruit was so heavy the plant broke. WOW!

[@victornjenncollado6549]

Growing My Vineyard, yellow pear, beef steak, better boy, and celebraty all in containers!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good choices! Those yellow pear tomatoes make a tremendous amount -- and they're oh so tasty!

[@LazyKFarmstead]

Glad to see this. I don't have any of these so I'll be interested to see what does well ... More importantly not so well. Already planning for next season. 😊🍅

[@LazyDogFarm]

We'll be sure keep everyone updated when we start harvesting.

[@georgestewart5814]

I am trying the Bella Rosa, Mt. Vineyard, and Red Snapper for the first time. I am in Pennsylvania, so my plants have only been in the ground a week or two, but they are looking good. Can't wait!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Would be interesting hear how they do in Pennsylvania. Keep us updated.

[@elissapoh7782]

My Abe Lincoln’s are the biggest ones of the 27 varieties I planted this year! (But I’m on the Canadian coast... so maybe it doesn’t like your weather)

[@LazyDogFarm]

Yep -- very different climate. Maybe they just don't like it down here. We'll see. Plants are still growing and just now starting to set fruit.

[@elissapoh7782]

@@LazyDogFarm I am zone 8a though... so winters about the same but We do not deal with the summer heat you guys get. I meant my plants though - My transplants have only been in the ground now about 2 weeks. I won’t have fruit until July.

[@bretturner3413]

Dear friend!love your work,make a video how you prepared the soil what magic you added,?thanks.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Sure! We use cover crops and compost to add organic matter to the soil, and then add a balanced fertilizer in the planting furrow prior to planting.

[@kimcritchfield5796]

Zone 10a SoCal. Growing your Bella Rosa this year. Started very slow. Starting to look better now that we’re getting hotter.

[@LazyDogFarm]

That's a great variety for sure!

[@ellenconforti5693]

You can use paint pens for your plant label ink. You can get them in Walmart. My husband found them and they work great. The ink looks as good as it did when I planted everything a few months ago. They come 5 to a pack all different colors. I labelled all my fruit trees as those thin plastic labels always fall off. I have also labelled my vegetables. Seems like a great product.

[@LazyDogFarm]

What do you write on? The wood labels we usually use always wash off after a while no matter what type of ink we use.

[@ellenconforti5693]

I will look up the exact name because there are a lot of different pens. I can either email it to you or comment again on this site. Florida Gardener, Zone 9a

[@ellenconforti5693]

Unfortunately I will have to say that I am not liking these paint pens. They're supposed to be permanent on a lot of different materials, but I checked on my trees today and the labels are looking a little wishy washy. They're not as dark as they were a couple of months ago. I am disappointed in these too. Back to the drawing board! Sorry, thought I found a good solution.

[@Farmd427]

I know you went with the Boy series for multicolored tomatoes, but you might try the Chef’s Choice ones too. The Chef’s Choice Black kinda stole the show for me last year after some of the heirloom varieties pooped out. Chef’s Choice black averaged 21 tomatoes per plant while Big Brandy had the biggest yield averaging 25 per plant. The orange Chef’s Choice was tasty too but only half the production.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I grew Chef's Choice Orange last year and it did pretty well for an indeterminate down here. Haven't tried the other colors, but would like to try them.

[@archstanton9703]

How soon will Chef’s Choice Black produce fruit? I’m thinking of a second planting of tomatoes that gave disease resistance and will do well in the desert southwest.

[@Farmd427]

@@archstanton9703 it was similar to other varieties in the 70-75 day range. I had 20 ripe tomatoes in the first two weeks of my harvest window. It was the second fastest I had, but most of the varieties that season started ripening within a few days of each other with the exception of Brandywine and Kellogg’s Breakfast types.

[@archstanton9703]

@@Farmd427 I might give it a try if not this summer, next spring. I planted dwarf varieties that only averaged between 4-6 tomatoes per plant and a few other varieties. I should have planted them earlier and might have gotten better yields. Th dwarfs and Black Krim are the best tasting of the bunch. It’s really difficult to grow tomatoes here in the desert because of the extreme heat. Thanks for the reply!

[@Farmd427]

@@archstanton9703 Tycoon and Florida 91 are determinate varieties that have heat set capabilities but without some 30% shade cloth, I bet you do have a challenging environment for growing tomatoes. Best of luck!

[@kwynvandyke4389]

What kind of string do you use for the Florida weave?

[@LazyDogFarm]

This stuff right here: www.amazon.com/IRRIGATION-MART-6300FT-Tomato-Tying-Garden/dp/B00K0OQ1I6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=tomato+twine+box&qid=1620765282&sr=8-3

[@shadyacrefarm1005]

Another great video Travis. Did you mulch your tomatoes last year? I don’t recall seeing straw at the base of your plants in the previous years.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I didn't because I didn't use cages last year. I usually only mulch when using the cages.

[@platoalwaysknew3168]

i am new tp channel so not sure what state your in but in M.O. Abe lincoln is an award winner nice size super sweet great sandwich tomato

[@LazyDogFarm]

Welcome to the channel Jeff. We're in south Georgia where tomato growing can be tough. The heirloom varieties typically don't do very well down here, but we always grow a few because they are quite tasty.

[@platoalwaysknew3168]

@@LazyDogFarm if you want to try another of my favorites? try beefmaster here i got them to 7 foot tall fruits as large as 3.8 lbs very disease resistant and only problem is Squirrels i WENT to WAR protecting them juicy well worth the effort was given 30k seeds as a test back in 77 i had 5 seeds not germinate 5 not 5% anyway project was non-profit ended up giving away whole flats thats 144 plants a flat straight away free had happy customers came to my house for years to buy more

[@SherrysCraftinggarden]

I am in Mississippi my first time growing Abe's I plant one in the grown it died got some in pots and they are doing better.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Hopefully the ones in the pots produce a good harvest for you! Thanks for watching!

[@FMNsocial]

That's so funny, I've been growing Abe Lincolns in my basement setup and they're some of the hardiest so far! At least in the basement..... Lol

[@LazyDogFarm]

Not a lot of pest pressure in the basement. Lol.

[@FMNsocial]

@@LazyDogFarm hahaha you have no idea how right you got that.. I've got a massive wolf spider down there eating the few bugs there are! 😅😅

[@waynespringer501]

You should also try the Jetstar tomato

[@LazyDogFarm]

I’ve heard a lot of folks mention that one, but the disease-resistance package isn’t that impressive. Not sure it would fare well down here. We need TSWV resistance particularly.

[@TheSHOP411]

I am disappointed in mountain vineyard so far but everything looks like crap right now, but compared to the golden nuggets and sweet 100s, the mountain vineyard is falling behind. Man, those were some expensive seeds and they sound like they should be awesome. I have had varieties come on late before and surprise so I'm hoping this is one. Mine have been set back by way too much rain so now that things are normalizing, let's see what happens.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Yeah I hope mine come along too, but right now the Sweet Hearts are far ahead as far as the grape tomatoes go.

[@augustagootee6254]

Travis!!!! Aite aite aite I've so missed hearing you talk. And I agree my abes just didn't do as well here. Bought several seed from ur dad and my Germans did amazing. Abes not so much and my seed saved oxharts are wining they kicking everyone butt. But I've fought blight on all them too much rain had prune but still producing tomatoes and getting ripe ones. Oh man and tired the super sauce what huge paste tomato however they aren't as tall like look lil puny compared to the others when comes to vines but massive huge fruits so we shall see how does making sauce and salsa. So glad u guys are ok not sure what happened but glad found ur channel

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad you found us too! Welcome to the channel!

[@katiem9644]

I can never get enough of tomato videos....could this mean I have a problem? Growing 1 each of Steakhouse Hybrid, Bella Rosa, Celebrity, and Climbing Tripl Crop. The Bella Rosa and Triple Crop have absolute monster tomatoes growing with great quantity, with Celebrity right behind. The Steakhouse not as good, and much slower, so maybe will catch up. What is it about tomatoes that just make us so addicted?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Everyone loves tomatoes!

[@elimanning6520]

So I've got a question Travis. I don't know if you have a video covering this or not but I was wondering why you left hoss tools. Thank you for your time, have a merry Christmas!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Merry Christmas Eli! As far as why I left ... In April of this year, I discovered that Sheila was using an old iPad of mine to hack into my Apple ID, read all my texts, and basically snoop on my personal life. She denied it, but later admitted it when she was caught red-handed. Her actions were supported by Greg, the owner. As a result, I felt I had no choice but to resign. I didn't want to work at a place where something like that was considered acceptable.

[@kockla]

Please follow up with an update and harvest video. Great video.

[@LazyDogFarm]

If you watch some of our most recent videos, we're just now starting to harvest them.

[@toddmiller6239]

What brand of Tomato cages are you using? Where did you get them?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Here's the link to the Amish company that makes them: www.cedarridgemfg.com

[@LacyO86]

Do you add gypsum to your tomatoes when planting? Also, do you not prune your determinate tomatoes? I'm wanting to grow some next yr, but I've only grown indeterminate tomatoes since I've been gardening the last several years. I was quite surprised to see the leaves laying on your soil....I have always been paranoid about that because something I saw/read said the splashing from the rain/water in the dirt onto the tomato leaves will easily give them diseases. Doesn't look like that is actually the case after seeing your garden, what do you think???

[@LazyDogFarm]

We never prune determinate tomatoes -- we just let them grow. Most of them are pretty disease-resistant and the breeders don't recommend pruning either. We don't always add gypsum at planting, but we do always add some calcium source at planting. We'll add gypsum certainly when we start seeing blooms though.

[@crissyprager2100]

I have learned so much from you already and Hoss Tools!! Need some advise - when do you start spraying your tomatoes 🍅 preventively to avoid diseases associated with the humidity? Do you recommend your liqui-Cop Fungicide? Thanks!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

If you know you're going to have pest issues, I'd recommend spraying after they start growing (after transplanting). Copper is a great general-use fungicide.

[@crissyprager2100]

@@LazyDogFarm excellent - thanks again!

[@sherrimize3004]

Looks good! I planted mine a few days ago and they are doing good 🌻

[@LazyDogFarm]

Great to hear!

[@1bonniesbluestar]

That transition made me laugh 🤣😂

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@bethmitchell6981]

Great Video as always. Question please...Our tomatoes are suffering from leaves curling. Were fertilizing every week with Fish Emulsion but was wondering if we should spray and with what or should we see if they pull out? God Bless

[@LazyDogFarm]

Sometimes it's just plant stress. Might try getting on a more consistent watering program to see if that helps.

[@mrmudcatslim1004]

Hello Travis, I noticed those square cages. How are they working out? I am looking for a different way to trellis tomatoes. I don't think I have seen that type before.

[@LazyDogFarm]

They work great. I've had these for at least 5 years now. Here's a link to the Amish company that makes them: www.cedarridgemfg.com. They aren't cheap, but they'll last forever.

[@janking2762]

We just go “old school” and make 24” round cages from concrete reinforcing wire mesh from the box stores, cheap, ours are 25+ years, still ok. Each one needs to be tied to at least one heavy stake to keep them in place with high winds and heavy rain.

[@North_Carolina_Homestead]

Big beef is a great one! One of the most popular for market farmers for a reason. Eliot Coleman and his big beef tomatoes have always looked incredible. I have a few in my garden. Where’s the sungold? That’s the best cherry!

[@LazyDogFarm]

The only cherry tomatoes we planted this year are some dwarf varieties that we have in hanging pots on the porch. Decided to go with grape tomatoes for the in-ground garden.

[@adelewatkins9386]

I'm growing a bunch of the florida varieties that you had online, the only one I'm growing that you are is the Florida 91, the sun sugar one I got is amazing, I'm craving more of those. Hopefully not too much longer and I will have a bunch..I'm in central florida 9b

[@LazyDogFarm]

I've never grown SunSugar, but have heard great things about it.

[@adelewatkins9386]

@@LazyDogFarm I had one ready the other day, it's an orange color and so damn good.

[@DavidBrown-vx6fb]

David from Oakdale, LA! Always enjoy you videos! Where did you get the square tomatoe cages? Your garden looks good!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Here's a link to the Amish company that makes the cages: www.cedarridgemfg.com

[@charlieb6606]

Love your videos and am glad I found your new channel. I do have questions about your determinate tomatoes list . I'm growing Kellog's Breakfast tomato (regular leaf), and KBX (Kellogs Breakfast; Potato leaf variety) this year for the first time. Both were listed as indeterminate tomatoes on several seed web sites I looked at. Also Abe Lincoln was listed as indeterminate as well. Please let us know if your plants continue to produce through out the year or are truly determinate. I also noticed on your Abe Lincolns, one appears to be regular leaf while the second appears to be potato leaf. Kind of strange?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Both of those you mentioned are indeed indeterminate. I didn't notice the different leaf structure on ours -- that is strange -- the seeds came from the same packet.

[@MrMatthewJWilliams]

Any idea where to source those square cages? I know hoss carried them but discontinued and my google searching is coming up empty

[@LazyDogFarm]

Right here: www.cedarridgemfg.com They're not cheap, but they're sturdy and will last forever.

[@jaredgrubb30]

$25 a cage really isn't bad for something that heavy duty

[@MrMatthewJWilliams]

@@LazyDogFarm thanks!

[@boltgun7266]

My Florida 91s are small as well

[@LazyDogFarm]

Must be a variety thing. Maybe they'll start thriving more when it gets hotter.

[@pinetreehill586]

I like the update on the varieties of tomatoes you planted this year. It will help me to make decisions for next year. ‘Preciate it.

[@LazyDogFarm]

We enjoy doing trials like this because it helps our great viewers see the differences between varieties.

[@4thllamaofthealpacolypse712]

Thanks

[@LazyDogFarm]

You're welcome!

[@jeffgibbs3835]

Those giant pink and stripey heirloom tomatoes really make ya feel good when you grow a lot of them, they are a 7 or 8 buck tomato.... I'd say you all come close to running out of time with the heat on the giant tomatoes...

[@LazyDogFarm]

Yeah it's going to be interesting to see if they'll ever get that big before it gets too hot.

[@KandicePolut]

Well, this is my 3rd year gardening, 2nd year using weed fabric and planting in burned holes. I love the weed protection the barrier gives ya but I feel like it makes a few things a little difficult. Like… side dressing, rotation, staking( u gotta burn a hole to put t posts in), and drip tape( we run ours on top of the fabric and I believe it would work better under the soil). I do have a small 900 sq ft garden that doesn’t have weed barrier where my potatoes, corn, beans, and strawberries are planted. Yesterday I spent about 4 hours hoeing the weeds and hilling my corn and taters. It was some HARD WORK!! How in the world do u keep ur garden beds free of weeds Trav? Is there a secret I’m not aware of?

[@LazyDogFarm]

It's all about the weed seed bank -- the number of weed seeds that are present in your soil. We remove weeds when they're small so they don't go to seed and contribute to the weed seed bank. We also use cover crops and tarps in the summer and fall which helps reduce the weed seed bank. It's a comprehensive strategy, but it works.

[@KandicePolut]

@@LazyDogFarm okay, I’m reading about it now! We have soooo much pig weed, chickweed, thistle, horseweed……

[@Root_and_Fleurish_Farm]

My best performer in the deep Deep South of central Florida. Hot humid zone 9b is a pink hybrid. I’ve grown heirlooms and they do okay but you have to heavily prune the bottoms. Like 2 ft from the ground.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Do you have the name of the specific variety?

[@doctorpopcorn]

Nice use of the stick for the Florida weave. Thanks for the unintended tip!

[@LazyDogFarm]

In case you haven't seen it, here's the video where we made the new weave stick: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3u6gIx-lr9mgbs

[@stevefromthegarden1135]

I have summer pick but won't plant it in the ground until about may 15th. They are looking good. Don't have any of your other varieties of tomatoes.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Hope you have a great harvest!

[@mneraasen224]

I was setting up to plant my Abe Lincoln’s as your video was playing. I got some free seeds last season and they didn’t do well. I’m putting in two plants this year just to make sure they are not for me😂🙌🏻🤷🏼‍♀️

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good choice to give them one more chance. Let us know if you have the same results.

[@tracibunny38]

Mine were short last year. Tomatoes were good though

[@michaelmorris1802]

Down in High Springs, Fl... not that far really we are harvesting cherry tomatoes already, and our determinant tomatoes are loaded with fruits that are just beginning to blush a bit.. but I definitely cheated and got started early in the greenhouse. My corn is actually 3 feet tall, I'm expecting to see my first tassels any day now... I've been pouring the fertilizer to it way more than ever before... trying to follow your recommended lbs of nitrogen. Crazy how vigorous and fast growing they are... certainly I've never seen anything like it before.... hoping for good things if they don't all get blown down.

[@LazyDogFarm]

You can stand outside and watch that corn grow when it's fertilized property. Good to hear you have tomatoes already!

[@suepatterson2702]

Hey, Michael, I'm just down the road from you on the northern edge of Gainesville. I love hearing what Travis has to say because he shares the same 8b zone and similar hot & humid conditions.

[@sundownfarms2731]

Your tomatoes look beautiful 🍅Thank you Travis 🌄

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Kelly!

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

Dang it, I haven't even been able to get anything in the ground yet other than brassica's because I'm in Cheyenne WY.

[@LazyDogFarm]

We're hoping our brassicas hang on another few weeks. Got cabbage almost ready and broccoli heads starting to form. Hope it warms for you soon up there.

[@terrysease5462]

What do you typically do when the tomatoes are turning black on the bottom?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Sounds like blossom end rot, which is a calcium issue. It could be that you don't have enough calcium in the soil, or it could be that too much water or a pH issue has made it difficult for the plants to uptake the calcium that is in the soil. It can be a complicated issue, but supplementing with calcium usually helps. Unless you receive too much rain, and that can cause issues even if you have plenty of calcium.

[@terrysease5462]

@@LazyDogFarm I picked up some fast acting limestone at lowes and am going to try that. Also ordered my sweet potatoes slips from Tennessee based on your recommendation and they appear to be doing great. I really appreciate you responding and my wife and I look forward to your videos. Good luck Travis on your recovery and Brooklyn you are a great asset to show.

[@FMNsocial]

Where can we get those square trellises?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Here's a link to the Amish company that makes them: www.cedarridgemfg.com

[@FMNsocial]

@@LazyDogFarm thanks so much!!

[@DDiamondRRuby]

Where can I get some of those square tomato cages like yours?

[@LazyDogFarm]

Here's a link to the Amish company that makes them: www.cedarridgemfg.com They're not cheap, but they'll last forever.

[@user-cv1xe9yf3f]

I lost some of my Crimson Sweet watermelons this year to what I believe is fusarium wilt. What variety has better resistance to this fungus and still produces good watermelons?

[@LazyDogFarm]

That's a tricky question because there are different "races" of fusarium and some varieties are only resistant to some of them. I'd try one of the newer hybrids though as you might have a better shot at full spectrum resistance.

[@user-cv1xe9yf3f]

@@LazyDogFarm Thanks. My Burpee muskmelons in the same area did not wilt so I suspect they resist the fungus. It was shocking to see a plant doing fine one day and completely dead the next, while plants nearby were still OK.

[@terryduprie6313]

Awesome video Travis - thank you!!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

My pleasure!

[@jeffgibbs3835]

I see you had mulch straw under the heirlooms.... My point on that is with a tomato like Abe Lincoln you absolutely have to have mulch because when you growing 2 pound plus tomatoes you can't have a dry ground then get two inches of rain, those giant tomatoes will crack so deep it will ruin the tomatoes... I use grass clippings out of the yard 8 inches deep and 2 to 3 feet wide along the row, never pile the clippings on the tomato stalks, it will kill the tomatoes... Grass clippings are the best mulch for tomatoes, they regulate the ground temps, regulate constant moisture and give the late season nitrogen you need in late tomato season... For me that all works great here in the mountains of east Tennessee... I have no need for drip tape.. I can take a few watering cans and just wet the grass clippings one day a week and I have steady water supply under the 8 inches of grass clippings.... Works great for us up here... I would recommend some shorter season heirloom varieties like the Japanese black truffle, it has a monster fruit set, one plant will grow 30 to 40 pounds of tomatoes, Beautiful pair size and shaped tomatoes, delicious.... Another suggestion would be the Blush tomato that just came off patent, it's only 2oz but Beautiful color and taste, big producer... Check that one out on line... Another suggestion would be oxheart type tomatoes, oxheart have production as good as determinate tomatoes, they have less juice and seeds which makes them top of the line for cooking and recipes... Some varieties are giant pink oxheart, Anna Russian oxheart, German strawberry oxheart...

[@LazyDogFarm]

I don't have any access to grass clippings because we don't bag our grass. My Gravely zero turn pulverizes all the grass, so nothing to rake afterwards either. Wheat straw will have to do. Thanks for sharing about the necessity with the larger heirloom varieties.

[@saltlifess6226]

Abe Lincoln is a late blooming variety

[@LazyDogFarm]

It certainly was!

[@druemiller3111]

Glad to hear you say heirlooms are tough to grow in the south. Deep East Texas is tough on heirlooms. I was starting to think it's just me. Thanks Travis.

[@LazyDogFarm]

It's not just you. I do have friends in town that can grow them pretty well. But out here in commercial farmland country, it's tough.

[@jhobei1216]

We’re you get those cages. Thanks in advance

[@southerncrossfarmandhomest9291]

Amazon has them. Cedar Ridge MFG 56” tomato cage.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Here's the link to the Amish company that makes them: www.cedarridgemfg.com

[@jeffgibbs3835]

Those giant pink tomatoes like the Abe Lincoln is a 3 pound tomato... You can't really grow those with a basket unless you are down picking suckers every two days.. You can't have more than two stems to grow those giant tomatoes... The object of that type of tomato is a $7.50 tomato... The fruit set is spraratic with more than two stems and what they do make is late, which is not choice for you all... I didn't write this in like I know all, I just have grown a lot of big tomatoes... You all have learned me quite a bit with your shows on Utube.... I think a lot of you fellows for keeping politics mostly out of gardening... Their is a place for politics, just not in gardening, we don't want to leave people out.. Food growing is for all people....

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to know about the single stem for the larger varieties. Might have to try and do an overhanging wire trellis next year if these don't get very large.

[@elimanning6520]

You try the big boy yet?

[@LazyDogFarm]

I have not. I'm not a huge fan of indeterminate tomatoes because they require much more effort and we don't get the extended harvest period with them down here like they do in the northern states.

[@leslies9172]

Love the plot plant map! Great Idea!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Certainly helps when you have kids that would tend to pull up plant markers and relocate them.

[@leslies9172]

@@LazyDogFarm LOL my grandson does the exact same thing!

[@suepatterson2702]

As a fan of the determinate tomato type, Bella Rosa has been my go to also. Since I'm exclusively a container gardener, the determinates are a better choice. About 10 years ago I went on a hunt for colored determinate varieties. I found one called Black Seaman, "A Russian Heirloom tomato. Seeds produce small determinant, potato-leaf plants that yield an abundant set of 12-16 ounce beautiful tomatoes that are rich mahogany colored with olive green shoulders when mature. Inside of tomato is deep, reddish green and loaded with excellent, full-bodied, complex, intense, creamy tomato flavors. This is an outstanding tomato for sandwiches and salads. Black Sea Man heirloom tomato does well growing in mid-sized containers. A great early black tomato." www.tomatofest.com/Black_Sea_Man_Heirloom_Tomato_Seeds_p/tf-0065a.htm Seeds are widely available and worth a try.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for the tip on the Black Seaman variety!

[@archstanton9703]

How does Black Seaman compare to Black Krim? Does it have any disease resistance? We like the black tomatoes and I’m looking for one that will do well in the desert southwest for an early and late crop. I’m growing in fabric containers and in a raised bed.

[@bobbietharrington6690]

We growing Better Boy and Bella Rosa. So far, so good👍

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to hear!

[@joshward9835]

What’s your spacing on determinate tomatoes and your peppers ?

[@LazyDogFarm]

2' apart along the row, then I try to put the rows 4' apart.

[@lisareis8117]

I’m growing tachi and invincible in south Louisiana. So far, tachi is a much smaller plant but is covered in blossoms. Invincible is a huge plant. Already have green tomatoes on it. It took off quick for me. Growing the Betterboy and Purple Boy...so far so good, just trying to stay ahead of disease. Also, the Roadster. I like the growth habit and it’s covered in blossoms. Excited to see our results.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks for sharing your results thus far. Keep us updated when harvests start.

[@rebellionpointfarms6140]

hows the taters? Did you dig yours yet? im in 8A and have the best looking tater crop ive ever grown. All the commercial fields near me are looking sweet this year.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Haven't started digging yet. Did nick the side of a tater hill with the lawn mower on Saturday and unearthed a baseball-sized Yukon Gold.

[@clinthutcheson2640]

My Abe Lincoln are my weakest also. Kellogg Breakfast are my favorite. I love the texture

[@LazyDogFarm]

Can't wait to try the Kellogg Breakfast. I'm really excited about those!

[@jaredmccutcheon5496]

I grew Abe Lincoln last year. It did great in late summer and tasted pretty good. I grow a couple dozen varieties every year mostly heirlooms that are amazing but I am growing Abe again this year. Just got them in the ground a couple weeks ago so still waiting for that first flush of growth to kick in on everything.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Unfortunately, ours won't make it to late summer. They're all toast come mid-July usually. Hopefully we get some decent tomatoes before then.

[@hottlimited]

Looking good!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks!

[@Nins-niche67]

Abe is always late for the party but tastes good

[@LazyDogFarm]

Good to know!