Keywords: Vegetable varieties, Tomatoes
PAL Question:
What are the best types of tomatoes for the Pacific Northwest climate?
View Answer:
In Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades (Steve Solomon, 2000, pp.241,242), the author notes that any tomato advertised in a seed catalog as needing more than 72 days for maturity will not likely reach a ripe old (tasty) age in our region. Solomon suggests purchasing seed only from regional companies like Territorial Seed Co. or West Coast Seeds. The varieties he recommends are
1. some that ripen early in the Willamette Valley (bred by Jim Baggett) = Oregon 11, Oregon Spring, Santiam, and Gold Nugget
2. slicers = Fantastic Hybrid, Pic Red, Early Cascade, and Kootenai
3. cherry = most are prolific here, but Solomon prefer's Jim Baggett's Gold Nugget
Here is a link to an article by Chris Smith in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (01-19-2006) that introduces some new tomatoes and other vegetables for 2006.
Seattle Tilth provides an annotated list of the varieties they offer for sale each year, sometimes noting which ones have won taste tests.
Mother Earth News published an article on the best Pacific Northwest varieties in February/March 2010.
Season
All Season
Date 2008-01-17
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Keywords: Solanum tuberosum, Vegetable varieties, Vegetable gardening
PAL Question:
I would like to plant a second crop of potatoes in July. Could I use
potatoes dug from my first crop this year or should I try to find seed
potatoes?
View Answer:
You can plant mid-season and late potatoes this month, but there are
particular varieties that are best suited to planting at this time. This
is one reason not to plant the potatoes you just dug (which are
an earlier variety).
Here are links to additional information:
From the University of Illinois Extension.
Growing Potatoes in the Home Garden from UC Santa Cruz.
Steve Solomon's Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades (Sasquatch Books,
2000) says that because of the large number of viruses which can affect
potatoes, you should not carry over your seed (replant). It is safest to
use certified virus-free planting seed. He says that your crop might be
fine the first time you replant your own potatoes, but they will become
increasingly susceptible to viruses.
Season
Summer
Date 2007-07-18
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Keywords: Vegetable varieties, Vegetable gardening, Heirloom varieties
Garden Tool: A new magazine is available dedicated to antique treasures from the garden. The Heirloom Gardener is published four times per year for a mere $12.00. Articles in the winter 2004 issue range from a history of the Brandywine tomato, renovating neglected pome trees (apples and pears) to a profile on an heirloom vegetable farmer. Color photos and illustrations contribute to the thoughtful, informative articles. To subscribe call 1-866-OLD-SEED, or send a check to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, 2278 Baker Creek Rd, Mansfield, MO 65704, or subscribe online at www.rareseeds.com
Season: All Season
Date: 2006-02-28
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