I still have to keep pressuring you into trying Rosella Purple. That’s the king of the dwarf tomatoes. High production, equal or better flavor to Cherokee Purple. BrandyFred is a shy bearer. They only produce around 6 tomatoes per plant. Two more heavy producers are Fred’s Tie Dye and Adelaide Festival.
I have a Rosella Purple growing, but I started it way way late, so I didn't include it, because it would have been a fair comparison and might have given folks the wrong idea about it. I will get an earlier start on the Rosella Purple next year. I'm hoping to find a keeper or two each year, and then keep whittling down the list till I'm happy with a half dozen or so.......if I live that long, lol :)
The Millennial Gardener hey! I haven’t noticed you on here before! I’m headed over to your channel next to rewatch your fig feeding schedule, my figs have really been happy this year!
Midwest Gardener Rosella Purple does best when it is cool out. I plant mine after last chance of freeze but before last chance of frost and I toss a 5 gallon bucket over it if temps threaten. They love nights in the 50’s and days in the 70’s. They don’t do well in heat. I consider them to be an early tomato.
Mighty fine looking maters ya got growing on over there Mr. Jim. I knew it was only a mater of time before your garden would become a jungle despite all the bad weather. Can't hold back a master gardener like yourself! Stay safe and have a great rest of the week!
I'm growing the rosella purple this year. It set a lot of fruit fast, but it started slowing down because of drainage issues I'm having in my bed. Just harvested the first and new flowers are at the top. Fingers crossed the Virginia rain stops and we continue staying below 90 degrees for more fruit set. Plan to grow more dwarfs in my tiny garden next year.
Thank you for all you do midwest gardener. You have given us such great information on gardening. I would not be the gardener I am today if it weren't for you and your channel. Thank you again!
I am growing Dwarfs for first time this year, I have 12. They are sure easier to control and manage growth. I started using rebar as a stake as they started leaning. Next year I will use cages. Many dwarfs are indeterminate. I have Beliy Naliv, Amber Colored, Aunt Ruby’s yellow Cherry, Uluru Ochre that are indeterminate.
There are quite a few indeterminate varieties in the dwarf tomato project. In fact one of Craig's favorites (dwarf sweet sue, named after his wife) is an indeterminate. I grew it last year and loved it.
Thanks for the info. I'm really liking the Boronia so far. I will be tasting our first one tomorrow. I already like the Tasmanian Chocolate, and I'm hoping to find another keeper or two this year.
I am growing Sarandipity this season. She is just starting to flower because I didn't get some of my tomatoes in until the first weekend of June. I am going to grow Rosella Purple next season. I really like how compact they are.
I can't wait for the taste test video as all of those are some good looking tomatoes! Thank you for the midweek update. The red siberian bush tomato plants haven't reached 3 feet yet and they're just now starting to set fruit. I don't think they're a dwarf, but they are my first determinate tomatoes. So far no real problems and all my indeterminate types are loaded with fruit.
@@MidwestGardener oh geez. Pesky buggars. I had 2 baby possums in my garden tasting my peppers. My husband trapped them and relocated them. I have a 6' fence around my garden, but they climb. Maybe you could trap that buggar. I've also heard of putting dog hair out and it's supposed to deter them. I've never tried that. Good luck getting rid of it. By the way it's nice to hear from you in the middle of the week😆🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
@@shirleyk623 I'm thinking of putting dog hair out with the dog still attached :) Not really. I think I will have to find a new home for him. I've had to relocate other animals in years past.
I'm growing dwarf tomatoes for the first time from the dwarf tomato project here also, Louisville, Ky. However, I wasn't able to get mine planted until about 3 weeks ago so no tomatoes yet although I started them indoors and they were a pretty good size when planted. The varieties I'm trying out are the Brandy Fred, Dwarf Almondine, Dwarf Emerald Giant, Dwarf Snakebite, Lemon Ice, Claire Valley Red, Adelaide Festival, and Sweet Scarlet. I purchased serveral other seed packets but ran out of garden space lol. Can't wait to see how they do! Good luck on yours!
Yes, I have grown the "Dwarf Varieties". I grew some in my 6 x 7 greenhouse last year and had tomatoes all year long. I had Pink Passion, Uluru Ochre, Sanandipity, Crimson Purple, and Boronia. I will mostly grow dwarfs from now on. Exceptions are: Black Russian, Black Krim, Cherokee Purple, and some heat resistant Determinants, for 2023. You are still making video's, right?
I will be looking forward to the taste test videos. I have some tasmanian chocolates starting to ripe. Do you think that you will grow only dwarfs again next year? I have been really been considering only dwarfs for next year. Thanks for the update Jim and have a great day, stay safe.👍🏻
Thanks David! Yes, as of right now, I'm thinking that I will only grow dwarfs again next year. They are just less work than the indeterminates. And some of them taste pretty good too. And I don't have anything to compare them too in my garden, but I'm thinking that they set on better this year in the heat than some indeterminates would have. You have a great day too!
David Pruitt that’s my plan for next year as well, with the exception of a couple of fun indeterminates. I’m surprised how much I’m enjoying the dwarfs and micros because they’re so much less maintenance. Happy planting y’all and I wish you both abundance.
David Pruitt that’s a shame but there’s next year. My garden is doing quite well but I use low tunnels and a greenhouse so I’m pretty fortunate in that regard.
Your tomatoes are looking awesome ! We grew the Patio dwarf this year for the first time . I been really happy with it so far . We picked our first tomato yesterday off it . We were pleased with the flavor . I'm growing a lot more dwarfs next year for sure .
Thanks a bunch! Yes, that patio dwarf is a pretty good little tomato. Right now, I'm really liking the dwarfs, and I might not even bother with inderterminates again.
I have garden envy! I have used the BTE method with much success. I am on the Alabama coast. Because of a recent move I was unable to garden this spring. I can’t wait to get mulch and start a new garden. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks a bunch, Lynn! It's always good to hear from another BTE gardener. That sure would be rough to have to take time off from gardening. I've been there and done that though.
I’m growing micro toms and orange hat micros and mexican midget, tiny tim, wherokowhai dwarf and geranium kiss dwarf this year as well as a couple dozen canning and indeterminate varieties. I’m really enjoying the freedom of the dwarfs and some of them yield 12 oz fruits or bigger with full tomato flavor profiles. I’m thinking of focusing more on them next year with just a few fun or functional indeterminate types. Yours are looking really good Jim. Thanks for the update 😀
Thanks Nikki! Thanks for sharing what you are growing. Sounds like you will have a summer full fo tomatoes! That's a nice list. I'm with you on the dwarfs. I pretty sure that dwarfs are all that I will grow next year.
I've discovered dwarf tomatoes last year with your channel. This year (cold temperature here on July), we've planted 68 tomato varieties and as every end of June, we've yet picked some early varieties tomatoes : "Ida Gold" (very small plant, determinate) and "Sutpice" (as always, the first of all growing season). We've planted 2 plants from "dwarf tomato project": Wherokowhai" and "Brandyfred". I've some fruits (not rippen) on the plants, we'll see the result. I've noticed that my seeds salers here in Belgium propose "Tasmanian chocolate", "Rosella purple dwarf", "Uluru Ochre" & "Boronia" than I'm very interested by following your results and your taste test to buy the seeds for next summer. My salers suggest 2 micro dwarf tomato varieties too (for containers). Do you have ever tried that kind of plant ? I wish you success Have a nice day:-)
Thanks! I've never tried growing any in containers, but I did grow them in straw bales last year. They seem to be doing much better in the ground this year though. I'm glad that you have access to some dwarf varieties over there. I'm thinking that you will enjoy the fact that they seem to be less work. You are in for some good eating with that many varieties. We have only had two ripen here so far, and a opossum got the best one of those two. They were both from the Tasmanian Chocolate. Those have chocolate colored shoulders when ripe. Have a nice afternoon/evening!
Nice! My Sleeping Lady dwarf tomatoes are the first in my garden to get a blush and will be my first BLT tomato. They are all (I have five varieties) doing better than the full-sized tomatoes.
I learned about the existence of dwarf tomatoes about a half a year ago & am growing several varieties to try: orange hat, extreme bush, boronia, purple heart, lucky swirl, big green dwarf, dwarf emerald giant, Yukon quest, and rosella crimson. It was too tough to narrow down varieties: I want to try them all!
@@MidwestGardener I do got some. the Rosella Purple, Vechyi Zov ( enteral call) , Shadow Boxing. Looking forward to the Banksia Queen and Kangaroo paw Yellow.
I am growing a tomato called a dwarf beryl green / dwarf beryl beauty. It is very stocky just like your plants, it looks very healthy and has a blue green appearance. Can't wait to try it.
Thanks for sharing what you are growing. Let us know how you like them when you get a chance to taste one. I had to go look that one up. sounds like a good one.
Good morning Jim. Sounds like something I should try. The tomatoes looks as large as the beefsteak type. It seems I get so busy in the Spring that I don't prune or trim the tomatoes. Melody usually tends to them a little. If we are going to stay here and garden I need to make the cages like yours. Best wishes Bob.
Good morning Bob! That sucks that the pandemic has messed up your plans for going to your new home. Melody might enjoy the fact that the dwarfs don't grow as much as the indeterminates do. I hope we get this thing slowed down soon. Stay safe!
Thanks Jim. Yup things are messed up now more for many others I doing well here. In fact the way things are here and there I'm glad we're isolating here.
Awesome! I can’t wait to see the taste tests! I don’t have any dwarf tomatoes, but My Tigerella tomatoes are loaded with clusters of fruit. My Paul Robeson has put on huge tomatoes (3 of which I’ve eaten) & I’m in love with the flavor! My Hillbilly’s are forming fruits. My Green Zebra’a , Old German & Black Beauty’s are behind the others but catching up.
Thanks Michelle! Sounds like you are having a very good tomato year. You can't go wrong with the flavor of the Paul Robeson. That's a good one. The best is yet to come!
Your dwarf tomatoes look quite healthy, and you have a good number of big, nice tomatoes set after a cold start. I was off and running pretty well mid-spring, but the cold May hit, and on top of that, in May, my next door neighbor's gumball tree leafs out and blocks every bit of direct sun until 12:00 p.m., through August. I really, really hate that tree. It is a few feet from my fence, and on top of putting the kabash on my garden, it drops leaves and gumballs constantly into my yard. I blame it for my tomatoes being behind yours! Ohh, I hate that tree! Keep wishing lightning would take it out, but so far, no luck.
Thanks Cathy! They are doing pretty well for the crappy weather we've had this year. We got hot really fast after a cold start, which is the worst of both worlds here. I feel really fortunate to have as many tomatoes as we do. We have a neighbor's tree that we feel the same as you do about yours, lol. I'm afraid that one might fall on me someday though.
@@MidwestGardener We got the cold/hot thing here too. The only sun my garden gets in recent weeks is super 🔥 afternoon sun. The shade netting is keeping everything alive but it is still 100 degrees plus for hours each day in the garden. I may move north one day soon. This is not very fun.
@thatpat1 It's good to hear that your garden bounced back well. Yes, that heat hit early and stayed. I gave the tomatoes some homemade compost when I planted them. I did give them a little Epsom salt because they didn't look as green as I thought they should early on.
@@MidwestGardener This morning I discovered a Brandywine pink that suddenly is almost ripe. We got a day or two of temps topped out in the 90s...one Brandywine and I am happy again. Never mind all the stalled out dwarfs here! I think we suffer here almost more with not cooling off overnight than we do with daytime highs. It had not dipped below 75 or 76 overnight for a while.
Some really great types growing over there this year. The last Mr. Snow we just gave away today to a friend that didn't get a garden this year, but the neighbors got one as well.....just over the fence....within sight. LOL Will be really cool to see how everything tastes coming up pretty soon. Rooting big time on that Firebird. It's got the name, good growth and super unique, but does it have the taste. Am believing the Purple Heart is the one you replaced. We had a struggle getting it going strong as well but do have a pretty decent one going now. Will save the seeds and maybe a 6b grow or two will make it a better plant for our type of yard. Lots of excitement building. Thanks for the share!
That's nice that you have a Mr. Snow within sight. And I will live vicariously through your purple heart. Ours got it's roots damaged by a mole that had been tunneling through our garden all year. I suck at trapping moles. And the cats suck at catching them. I'm really liking the dwarfs, and as of right now, I can't see myself growing an indeterminate for a while.
Do you do any pruning on these varieties? I'm finally growing some this year and decided to not do cages like I usually do. I've been trying to use bamboo and some twine but I'm having trouble with branches breaking under their own weight, even without fruit. They still look good but I'm wondering if I should do more pruning like with indeterminates and/or cage them next time. Thanks!
Is it possible to grow another tomato plant from cuttings? That would be very efficient because will never have to start from seeds and have everlasting tomatoes supply. Many thanks!
do any of the big box stores like walmart/lowes/home depot sell dwarf tomaotes. I'd love to try some, but never had much luck grwowing from seeds. thanks
I've never seen any of the dwarfs from the dwarf tomato project yet. I'm thinking that somebody will pick them up at some point, but I don't know when.
Question about dwarf tomatoes: If you grow a determinant dwarf, will it set all of it's fruit at once as it would for a non dwarf plant, or does it continue to produce more like an indeterminant? Thanks!!
I've just grown dwarfs from the dwarf tomato project for a couple of years, so I have limited experience. But what I've observed is that they behave like a slow growing indeterminant. Some get taller than others, but they produce blooms and set fruit like a indeterminant does through the season....just at a slower pace.
I didn't remove suckers the first year we grew dwarfs, but I usually try to let 2 or 3 stems grow now, and prune the rest of the suckers. It's working pretty well for us this year....so far. I don't prune much at all on micro dwarfs, except for lower leaves if there is any sign of disease.
Hi Jim. I'm just north of you in 6a in the Topeka area. I'm growing tomatoes in containers and mine are not producing like I expected plus I'm getting blossom end rot that I think I might have gotten stopped for the moment. My Cherokee Chocolate indeterminate plants are putting on blooms but they are not producing any fruit. Any idea what I might be doing wrong?
Hi Rusty. In my opinion, we had some really crappy weather for tomatoes this year. We had a very cold early May, then a couple of weeks later, it got hot and stayed hot. When temperatures get over 85 during the day, or don't get below 75 at night, tomato pollen can become less viable, or not viable at all. It's been one of those years. But it seems like we are having more of those year than we used to have. If you got started late at all this year, you might have missed that very short window we had for good fruit set.
@@MidwestGardener Thanks Jim. The Cherokee Chocolates were put out early to mid June where the others were put out mid May.... day late, dollar short looks like.
That would be my guess then......it just too hot for them to set on well when it's this hot. Sometimes you can shake the blooms and that will help (or even use an electric toothbrush to vibrate them), but even that doesn't help much when it get's up around 100. Cherry type tomatoes seem to set on in just about any weather though, so I used to plant one or two of those just as insurance against weather like we had this year.
I think he gets his where I get mine: Victory Seeds of Oregon. People in Australia can also get them, as it's a two-country project. All are OP, so you really only need to buy one package, and then save seeds thereafter. Good luck!
I appreciate the way you present your videos.
Simple, but well done.
Thank you very much! I appreciate the kind words.
I still have to keep pressuring you into trying Rosella Purple. That’s the king of the dwarf tomatoes. High production, equal or better flavor to Cherokee Purple. BrandyFred is a shy bearer. They only produce around 6 tomatoes per plant. Two more heavy producers are Fred’s Tie Dye and Adelaide Festival.
I have a Rosella Purple growing, but I started it way way late, so I didn't include it, because it would have been a fair comparison and might have given folks the wrong idea about it. I will get an earlier start on the Rosella Purple next year. I'm hoping to find a keeper or two each year, and then keep whittling down the list till I'm happy with a half dozen or so.......if I live that long, lol :)
The Millennial Gardener hey! I haven’t noticed you on here before! I’m headed over to your channel next to rewatch your fig feeding schedule, my figs have really been happy this year!
I love seeing my top 2 Dwarf Tomato Project content creators! You guys rock!
Thanks!
Midwest Gardener Rosella Purple does best when it is cool out. I plant mine after last chance of freeze but before last chance of frost and I toss a 5 gallon bucket over it if temps threaten. They love nights in the 50’s and days in the 70’s. They don’t do well in heat. I consider them to be an early tomato.
I LOVE growing dwarf tomato plants! This year I’m growing Uluru Ochre, Dwarf Andy’s Forty, Boronia and Tasmanian Chocolate 👍🏼❤️👍🏼
I predict you are going to have a great tomato year :)
@@MidwestGardener I hope so! Last year was not good. Bad weather and pests kinda ruined my tomatoes 😭
@@amyk6028 We will keep our fingers crossed.
Oh wow! Those tomatoes look beautiful!!!!!! I can't wait to see your taste test videos!
Thanks Andrea! I hope I can keep the opossum away from them. He got the last ripe one.
@@MidwestGardener 😱 oh no!!!!!
Mighty fine looking maters ya got growing on over there Mr. Jim. I knew it was only a mater of time before your garden would become a jungle despite all the bad weather. Can't hold back a master gardener like yourself! Stay safe and have a great rest of the week!
Thanks for the kind words, CB! It looks like we will have plenty for us. I'm looking forward to tasting some of these.
I'm growing the rosella purple this year. It set a lot of fruit fast, but it started slowing down because of drainage issues I'm having in my bed. Just harvested the first and new flowers are at the top. Fingers crossed the Virginia rain stops and we continue staying below 90 degrees for more fruit set. Plan to grow more dwarfs in my tiny garden next year.
Awesome! Rosella Purple is one of my favorite dwarfs for taste. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Thank you for all you do midwest gardener. You have given us such great information on gardening. I would not be the gardener I am today if it weren't for you and your channel. Thank you again!
That is very kind of you to say, Matthew! I really do appreciate that. That makes me feel like I'm making a positive difference. Thanks!
I am growing Dwarfs for first time this year, I have 12. They are sure easier to control and manage growth. I started using rebar as a stake as they started leaning. Next year I will use cages. Many dwarfs are indeterminate. I have Beliy Naliv, Amber Colored, Aunt Ruby’s yellow Cherry, Uluru Ochre that are indeterminate.
Thanks for sharing your list with us, Carol! Let us know which ones turn out to be stars for you this year.
There are quite a few indeterminate varieties in the dwarf tomato project. In fact one of Craig's favorites (dwarf sweet sue, named after his wife) is an indeterminate. I grew it last year and loved it.
Thanks for the info. I'm really liking the Boronia so far. I will be tasting our first one tomorrow. I already like the Tasmanian Chocolate, and I'm hoping to find another keeper or two this year.
I am growing Sarandipity this season. She is just starting to flower because I didn't get some of my tomatoes in until the first weekend of June. I am going to grow Rosella Purple next season. I really like how compact they are.
The Sarandipty really set a lot of fruit for us last year. I hope yours does well for you. I've heard really good things about the Rosella Purple.
I can't wait for the taste test video as all of those are some good looking tomatoes! Thank you for the midweek update. The red siberian bush tomato plants haven't reached 3 feet yet and they're just now starting to set fruit. I don't think they're a dwarf, but they are my first determinate tomatoes. So far no real problems and all my indeterminate types are loaded with fruit.
Sounds like you are in for a very good homegrown tomato year, Rose. You gotta love that!
@@MidwestGardener I do! It's a nice club to be a part of :)
That's for sure!
Wow!!! Beautiful plants and delicious looking tomatoes. I can't wait for the taste tests. Congrats🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅😆
Thanks Shirley! A opossum got the next ripe one after i shot these clips. It's always something :)
@@MidwestGardener oh geez. Pesky buggars. I had 2 baby possums in my garden tasting my peppers. My husband trapped them and relocated them. I have a 6' fence around my garden, but they climb. Maybe you could trap that buggar. I've also heard of putting dog hair out and it's supposed to deter them. I've never tried that. Good luck getting rid of it. By the way it's nice to hear from you in the middle of the week😆🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
@@shirleyk623 I'm thinking of putting dog hair out with the dog still attached :) Not really. I think I will have to find a new home for him. I've had to relocate other animals in years past.
@@MidwestGardener good idea. Good luck😆😆
Thanks!
I'm growing dwarf tomatoes for the first time from the dwarf tomato project here also, Louisville, Ky. However, I wasn't able to get mine planted until about 3 weeks ago so no tomatoes yet although I started them indoors and they were a pretty good size when planted. The varieties I'm trying out are the Brandy Fred, Dwarf Almondine, Dwarf Emerald Giant, Dwarf Snakebite, Lemon Ice, Claire Valley Red, Adelaide Festival, and Sweet Scarlet. I purchased serveral other seed packets but ran out of garden space lol. Can't wait to see how they do! Good luck on yours!
Thanks for sharing your list of dwarfs, Deborah! I hope they get going for you. I'm already looking forward to trying more types next year.
Yes, I have grown the "Dwarf Varieties". I grew some in my 6 x 7 greenhouse last year and had tomatoes all year long. I had Pink Passion, Uluru Ochre, Sanandipity, Crimson Purple, and Boronia. I will mostly grow dwarfs from now on. Exceptions are: Black Russian, Black Krim, Cherokee Purple, and some heat resistant Determinants, for 2023. You are still making video's, right?
Good to hear that dwarfs are catching on with more people. Yes, I'm still making videos.
I will be looking forward to the taste test videos. I have some tasmanian chocolates starting to ripe. Do you think that you will grow only dwarfs again next year? I have been really been considering only dwarfs for next year. Thanks for the update Jim and have a great day, stay safe.👍🏻
Thanks David! Yes, as of right now, I'm thinking that I will only grow dwarfs again next year. They are just less work than the indeterminates. And some of them taste pretty good too. And I don't have anything to compare them too in my garden, but I'm thinking that they set on better this year in the heat than some indeterminates would have. You have a great day too!
David Pruitt that’s my plan for next year as well, with the exception of a couple of fun indeterminates. I’m surprised how much I’m enjoying the dwarfs and micros because they’re so much less maintenance. Happy planting y’all and I wish you both abundance.
David Pruitt oh also, how are your eggplants coming along? I have meant to ask you. My Casper, turkish orange and rosa bianca are doing really well 😀
@@Just-Nikki i have one each of ping tung and black beauty that survived the frost and they are doing well. Hope your garden is doing good?
David Pruitt that’s a shame but there’s next year. My garden is doing quite well but I use low tunnels and a greenhouse so I’m pretty fortunate in that regard.
Your tomatoes are looking awesome ! We grew the Patio dwarf this year for the first time . I been really happy with it so far . We picked our first tomato yesterday off it . We were pleased with the flavor . I'm growing a lot more dwarfs next year for sure .
Thanks a bunch! Yes, that patio dwarf is a pretty good little tomato. Right now, I'm really liking the dwarfs, and I might not even bother with inderterminates again.
I have garden envy! I have used the BTE method with much success. I am on the Alabama coast. Because of a recent move I was unable to garden this spring. I can’t wait to get mulch and start a new garden. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks a bunch, Lynn! It's always good to hear from another BTE gardener. That sure would be rough to have to take time off from gardening. I've been there and done that though.
I’m growing micro toms and orange hat micros and mexican midget, tiny tim, wherokowhai dwarf and geranium kiss dwarf this year as well as a couple dozen canning and indeterminate varieties. I’m really enjoying the freedom of the dwarfs and some of them yield 12 oz fruits or bigger with full tomato flavor profiles. I’m thinking of focusing more on them next year with just a few fun or functional indeterminate types. Yours are looking really good Jim. Thanks for the update 😀
Thanks Nikki! Thanks for sharing what you are growing. Sounds like you will have a summer full fo tomatoes! That's a nice list. I'm with you on the dwarfs. I pretty sure that dwarfs are all that I will grow next year.
Midwest Gardener yes sir but my husband and his 3 brothers are all over 6’4 and 220 pounds...they can put away some tomatoes 😂
That's a big crew. Yep, they could put some away for sure. Sounds like my oldest son. He is 6' 5" and about 260.
I've discovered dwarf tomatoes last year with your channel. This year (cold temperature here on July), we've planted 68 tomato varieties and as every end of June, we've yet picked some early varieties tomatoes : "Ida Gold" (very small plant, determinate) and "Sutpice" (as always, the first of all growing season). We've planted 2 plants from "dwarf tomato project": Wherokowhai" and "Brandyfred". I've some fruits (not rippen) on the plants, we'll see the result. I've noticed that my seeds salers here in Belgium propose "Tasmanian chocolate", "Rosella purple dwarf", "Uluru Ochre" & "Boronia" than I'm very interested by following your results and your taste test to buy the seeds for next summer. My salers suggest 2 micro dwarf tomato varieties too (for containers). Do you have ever tried that kind of plant ? I wish you success Have a nice day:-)
Thanks! I've never tried growing any in containers, but I did grow them in straw bales last year. They seem to be doing much better in the ground this year though. I'm glad that you have access to some dwarf varieties over there. I'm thinking that you will enjoy the fact that they seem to be less work. You are in for some good eating with that many varieties. We have only had two ripen here so far, and a opossum got the best one of those two. They were both from the Tasmanian Chocolate. Those have chocolate colored shoulders when ripe. Have a nice afternoon/evening!
Beautiful tomatoes so far😍
Thanks! Yes, so far are the key words.
Nice! My Sleeping Lady dwarf tomatoes are the first in my garden to get a blush and will be my first BLT tomato. They are all (I have five varieties) doing better than the full-sized tomatoes.
Thanks for the heads up on the Sleeping Lady, Wendy! I bet you are seeing some interesting stuff right now with all of your tomatoes.
I learned about the existence of dwarf tomatoes about a half a year ago & am growing several varieties to try: orange hat, extreme bush, boronia, purple heart, lucky swirl, big green dwarf, dwarf emerald giant, Yukon quest, and rosella crimson. It was too tough to narrow down varieties: I want to try them all!
Thanks for sharing your list. I know exactly what you mean. I want to try them all too :)
Dwarf Emerald Giant came highly recommended from Craig LeHoullier himself. I'm going to try it next year.
That would be a pretty good recommendation indeed!
@@homesteadingonthehomefront I'm growing that now. Still waiting for the first tomato.
I hope you come back here and share your review of their taste with us!
thanks a lot for sharing them. you grow them really well. I am looking forward to growing my own Dwarf.
Thanks! If you can locate some seeds, I think you will enjoy growing them.
@@MidwestGardener I do got some. the Rosella Purple, Vechyi Zov ( enteral call) , Shadow Boxing. Looking forward to the Banksia Queen and Kangaroo paw Yellow.
I am growing a tomato called a dwarf beryl green / dwarf beryl beauty. It is very stocky just like your plants, it looks very healthy and has a blue green appearance. Can't wait to try it.
Thanks for sharing what you are growing. Let us know how you like them when you get a chance to taste one. I had to go look that one up. sounds like a good one.
Beautiful plants and tomatoes!!
Thank you!
Look forward to the taste test.
Thanks! Hopefully I can get some done in a few weeks.
Good morning Jim. Sounds like something I should try. The tomatoes looks as large as the beefsteak type. It seems I get so busy in the Spring that I don't prune or trim the tomatoes. Melody usually tends to them a little. If we are going to stay here and garden I need to make the cages like yours. Best wishes Bob.
Good morning Bob! That sucks that the pandemic has messed up your plans for going to your new home. Melody might enjoy the fact that the dwarfs don't grow as much as the indeterminates do. I hope we get this thing slowed down soon. Stay safe!
Thanks Jim. Yup things are messed up now more for many others I doing well here. In fact the way things are here and there I'm glad we're isolating here.
Awesome! I can’t wait to see the taste tests! I don’t have any dwarf tomatoes, but My Tigerella tomatoes are loaded with clusters of fruit. My Paul Robeson has put on huge tomatoes (3 of which I’ve eaten) & I’m in love with the flavor! My Hillbilly’s are forming fruits. My Green Zebra’a , Old German & Black Beauty’s are behind the others but catching up.
Thanks Michelle! Sounds like you are having a very good tomato year. You can't go wrong with the flavor of the Paul Robeson. That's a good one. The best is yet to come!
Midwest Gardener , Thanks, So is the best the Hillbilly or the Old German?
I was thinking more in terms of quantity :)
Midwest Gardener , Oh yes , I gotcha Ya. 😄👍🏻
Looking for a good variety for pots
Boronia and Rosella Purple are two that don't get all that large. And they both taste great!
Hmm they look good! I hope they give you a great harvest!
We've already enjoyed a few. They sure do taste good.
Thats great!
Great looking tomato plants... as always 😊
We're finally getting to eat some of these. They are sooo good.
Midwest Gardener that’s wonderful! This year we don’t have very many good varieties in the store.
I would mail you guys some if I thought they would make it :)
Midwest Gardener lol, my mom offered too 😊
@@SashaDeKasha :)
Your dwarf tomatoes look quite healthy, and you have a good number of big, nice tomatoes set after a cold start. I was off and running pretty well mid-spring, but the cold May hit, and on top of that, in May, my next door neighbor's gumball tree leafs out and blocks every bit of direct sun until 12:00 p.m., through August. I really, really hate that tree. It is a few feet from my fence, and on top of putting the kabash on my garden, it drops leaves and gumballs constantly into my yard. I blame it for my tomatoes being behind yours! Ohh, I hate that tree! Keep wishing lightning would take it out, but so far, no luck.
Thanks Cathy! They are doing pretty well for the crappy weather we've had this year. We got hot really fast after a cold start, which is the worst of both worlds here. I feel really fortunate to have as many tomatoes as we do.
We have a neighbor's tree that we feel the same as you do about yours, lol. I'm afraid that one might fall on me someday though.
@@MidwestGardener We got the cold/hot thing here too. The only sun my garden gets in recent weeks is super 🔥 afternoon sun. The shade netting is keeping everything alive but it is still 100 degrees plus for hours each day in the garden. I may move north one day soon. This is not very fun.
I know how you feel about the heat. It can wear on you in a hurry.
@thatpat1 It's good to hear that your garden bounced back well. Yes, that heat hit early and stayed. I gave the tomatoes some homemade compost when I planted them. I did give them a little Epsom salt because they didn't look as green as I thought they should early on.
@@MidwestGardener This morning I discovered a Brandywine pink that suddenly is almost ripe. We got a day or two of temps topped out in the 90s...one Brandywine and I am happy again. Never mind all the stalled out dwarfs here! I think we suffer here almost more with not cooling off overnight than we do with daytime highs. It had not dipped below 75 or 76 overnight for a while.
Some really great types growing over there this year. The last Mr. Snow we just gave away today to a friend that didn't get a garden this year, but the neighbors got one as well.....just over the fence....within sight. LOL Will be really cool to see how everything tastes coming up pretty soon. Rooting big time on that Firebird. It's got the name, good growth and super unique, but does it have the taste. Am believing the Purple Heart is the one you replaced. We had a struggle getting it going strong as well but do have a pretty decent one going now. Will save the seeds and maybe a 6b grow or two will make it a better plant for our type of yard. Lots of excitement building. Thanks for the share!
That's nice that you have a Mr. Snow within sight. And I will live vicariously through your purple heart. Ours got it's roots damaged by a mole that had been tunneling through our garden all year. I suck at trapping moles. And the cats suck at catching them. I'm really liking the dwarfs, and as of right now, I can't see myself growing an indeterminate for a while.
Do you do any pruning on these varieties? I'm finally growing some this year and decided to not do cages like I usually do. I've been trying to use bamboo and some twine but I'm having trouble with branches breaking under their own weight, even without fruit. They still look good but I'm wondering if I should do more pruning like with indeterminates and/or cage them next time. Thanks!
I haven't done as much pruning of them this year as I usually do, but I do prune them. Some varieties need it more than others.
@@MidwestGardener OK, thanks! I just pruned them some and supported them better. They're more vigorous than I expected!
Is it possible to grow another tomato plant from cuttings? That would be very efficient because will never have to start from seeds and have everlasting tomatoes supply. Many thanks!
Yes, it is possible. I have started new plants from suckers many times.
@@MidwestGardener thanks
@@dvdgalutube You're welcome!
Just saw your video very interesting where can I find dwarf tomato seeds?
Thanks! I bought most of mine from Victory Seeds, but there are a few other places that sell them.
do any of the big box stores like walmart/lowes/home depot sell dwarf tomaotes. I'd love to try some, but never had much luck grwowing from seeds. thanks
I've never seen any of the dwarfs from the dwarf tomato project yet. I'm thinking that somebody will pick them up at some point, but I don't know when.
Question about dwarf tomatoes: If you grow a determinant dwarf, will it set all of it's fruit at once as it would for a non dwarf plant, or does it continue to produce more like an indeterminant? Thanks!!
I've just grown dwarfs from the dwarf tomato project for a couple of years, so I have limited experience. But what I've observed is that they behave like a slow growing indeterminant. Some get taller than others, but they produce blooms and set fruit like a indeterminant does through the season....just at a slower pace.
What about the Berkeley Tye Dye tomato?
I've never grown that one.
Do you remove suckers on your dwarf Tomatoes? What about micro dwarf?
I didn't remove suckers the first year we grew dwarfs, but I usually try to let 2 or 3 stems grow now, and prune the rest of the suckers. It's working pretty well for us this year....so far. I don't prune much at all on micro dwarfs, except for lower leaves if there is any sign of disease.
waiting for tasting video 🥰
Hopefully it won't be too long.
Hi Jim. I'm just north of you in 6a in the Topeka area. I'm growing tomatoes in containers and mine are not producing like I expected plus I'm getting blossom end rot that I think I might have gotten stopped for the moment. My Cherokee Chocolate indeterminate plants are putting on blooms but they are not producing any fruit. Any idea what I might be doing wrong?
Hi Rusty. In my opinion, we had some really crappy weather for tomatoes this year. We had a very cold early May, then a couple of weeks later, it got hot and stayed hot. When temperatures get over 85 during the day, or don't get below 75 at night, tomato pollen can become less viable, or not viable at all. It's been one of those years. But it seems like we are having more of those year than we used to have. If you got started late at all this year, you might have missed that very short window we had for good fruit set.
@@MidwestGardener Thanks Jim. The Cherokee Chocolates were put out early to mid June where the others were put out mid May.... day late, dollar short looks like.
That would be my guess then......it just too hot for them to set on well when it's this hot. Sometimes you can shake the blooms and that will help (or even use an electric toothbrush to vibrate them), but even that doesn't help much when it get's up around 100. Cherry type tomatoes seem to set on in just about any weather though, so I used to plant one or two of those just as insurance against weather like we had this year.
Would you sell a few seeds from your favorite tasting, producing dwarf tomatoes?
Sorry, I don't sell seeds. I've thought about it, but I just have too many irons in the fire already.
Where do you order your dwarf tomato seeds from? After watching this video, I tried to find these types of tomatoes and didn't have much success.
I think he gets his where I get mine: Victory Seeds of Oregon. People in Australia can also get them, as it's a two-country project. All are OP, so you really only need to buy one package, and then save seeds thereafter. Good luck!
Yep, like Wendy said :)
We're. Do. You. Get. Seeds. From. Thanks
I got my seeds from Victory Seeds.