Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

May 6, 2005

 

     Seed companies and plant breeders speed millions of dollars developing new and improved vegetable cultivars. There are hundreds of tomato varieties available that never make it to the garden. Other than advertising, tomato varieties are often used extensively in grower field trials.

     On farm field testing of commercial varieties is a common method of evaluating new varieties. Many tomato producers in Rowan County cooperate with Dr. Randy Gardner, tomato breeder with the Mountain Crops Horticultural Research Station, to determine if new cultivars have promise for the industry. Now local homeowners can participate in a similar study for home garden tomato varieties.

     Rowan County Cooperative Extension Service and the Rowan County Master Gardener volunteers are conducting a tomato variety trial to determine if newly released tomato varieties adapt and grow well here in Rowan County.

     Cooperative Extension is asking Rowan County home gardeners to participate in the 2005 Master Gardener Tomato Variety Trial. Local gardeners are asked to grow and test newly released tomato varieties.  Participates will receive 10 tomato plants, 2 of each variety, to plant in their home garden. Since this is a research project, participants will be asked to complete a short questionnaire regarding growth and development, any insect and diseases encountered, and the approximate yield of the plant. Another important factor to consider of this test is tomato flavor.

The five varieties included in the test are:

  • Biltmore-a commercial variety grown by local producers and sold at local markets

  • Chrisa-a home garden slicing variety

  • Plum Crimson-a plum-type tomato developed by Dr. Randy Gardner, NC State University

  • Sugary-a 2005 All-American salad tomato variety

  • Better Boy-used in the test a check or standard for comparison.

     The plants were grown and cared for by Master Gardeners, Steve Hooper and Richard Wagner. It has been a painstaking task for about 8 weeks. Due to our unseasonably cool weather, planting dates which normally would have been planted a few weeks ago have been delayed.

     Home gardeners in Rowan County are encouraged to volunteer for this trial. Results will be published at the end of the growing season for the public. Participating from the public provides not only valuable data to growers and garden outlets, but also allows home gardeners a chance to hone their gardening skills.

      Only a limited number of plants are available and plants will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.  Distribution will be on Wednesday, May 18th from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Those interested in participating in the 2005 Rowan County Tomato Trial should contact Darrell Blackwelder or Carole Massy at the Extension Office at 704-633-0571 or e-mail at darrell_blackwelder@ncsu.edu