As we close the year, the new seed catalogs are rolling in. In this and the next several postings, I'll cover the new tomato offerings for 2011. In this first of the series, I'll cover the new tomato varieties offered by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.
Last year, I did an extensive review of the top seed catalogs in a series of posting entitled, "Seed Catalogs: Weapons of Mass Distraction." Baker Creek was a top performer in the 2010 ratings and was the hands down winner for the largest selection of tomatoes and other vegetables as well.
This year the company is selling over 200 varieties of tomatoes and 72 of them are new. I won't cover all 72 in this posting, but I will highlight five new varieties that caught my interest. Some of these may make it into my garden in the Spring.
Green Doctors - named after two Ph.D's (Amy Goldman & Carolyn Male) who have both published books on tomatoes, Green Doctors is a kiwi-green colored cherry tomato. Green Doctors is a determinate variety that takes 85 days to mature.
Chocolate Stripes - An unusually colored and beautiful looking tomato that Baker Creek claims placed very high in their internal tastings. Orange and green on the outside, this tomato is reddish brown on the inside. An indeterminate variety that takes 80 days to mature.
Orange Icicle - A bright oranage tomato from the Ukraine. Baker Creek raves about this paste tomato that is good for salsa, ketchup and also to eat fresh. It is reported to have a sweet, rich flavor with citrus overtones. Baker Creek is also selling Yellow, Pink and Black Icicle tomatoes, each of which is new this year. Indeterminate and 75 days to maturity.
Weissbehaarte - Last year I tried a variety of white cherry tomato called Snoberry. It was my first time growing a white tomato and it turned out to be my favorite new variety of 2010. I liked snowberry so much, that when I saw this white tomato in Baker Creeks catalog, I decided to add it to my list of things to try in 2011. Weissbehaarte is a rare German heirloom variety that produces 2 oz white tomatoes that are juicy and sweet. Indeterminate 75 days to maturity.
Black Elephant - A purple black tomato that's so darn ugly that I couldn't resist sharing it with you. Baker Creek claims it has taste going for it. I suppose it would need to have good flavor because its mishapped, cracked and, in general, a nasty looking tomato. Black Elephant comes to us by way of Russia. (Chernobyl from the looks of it) This tomato is not on my personal list, but if you decide to give it a try, let me know what you think. Indeterminate and 80 days to maturity.
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