I'm new to this forum, but not to gardening. I'm active on the Rose forum.

I've grown tomatoes on and off for years, although never really paying much mind to them. A couple of years ago, had some in a very large pot up on a 2nd floor balcony that did fantastic. I've moved to a home, with a small yard so I potted up some heirlooms this year and await my harvest. Kind of slow going in NJ this year, due to a cool wet spring but they are getting there. I only planted two this year since it was the first full summer at the house and I wasn't quite sure of my sun situation. Thus far, the plants are exceptionally healthy, although it seems I had a bit of flower drop. No matter - I still have a nice amount of fruit set so I'm happy.

I'm growing Cherokee Purple and Golden Jubilee this year. Just noticed this morning one is finally starting to color up. That's encouraging.

Anyway - the point of all of this is after now living in the house for a year, I've been able to ascertain the way the sun moves around and noticed that my small side yard actually gets the sun a good portion of the day. I was thinking next year it might be good to have the tomatoes out there, in ground, and incorporate cherry tomatoes in the mix but, I'm not familiar with any of them at all.

Would anyone care to recommend any that would do well in my Zone? I'm in sort of North Jersey, I believe it's now Zone 7A.

Thanks!

Dave

Only downside is (especially w/ Sungold) they're just like the Energizer Bunny of cherries - they just keep going and going and going ...

Cheers -

Will and the Furry Ones in the OC

I would be doing transplants. I think seedlings, for me, would be too time consuming, as I work full time and paying that much attention to them would be difficult. Aside from that, my garage is detached (i.e.; cold and I'd forget lol), and b) my basement, unfinished, rather damp. Not ideal conditions I think - although with lights and all, perhaps?

I've been lucky that my local nurseries seem to stock some nice varieties of regular tomatoes for transplanting so I'd think they would for cherries as well.

Perhaps by next year I'll feel differently and more confident about growing from seed. I do intend to start doing some research, and this forum certainly is helpful for that.

It's definitely too late for seeds, but not for transplanting.

In my area, the cherries and small-fruited types which Bonnie stocks at the big-box stores include Black Cherry (a small dark cherry which is many people's favorite); Tami G (a grape; I've never tried it); Husky Cherry Red (a dwarf plant with standard cherry fruit; I haven't had enough of them to judge the taste); Yellow Pear (killer cuteness; wide disagreement on its taste); and Juliet (Bonnie also calls it "Roma Grape;" beautiful huge grapes but not much taste; they dehydrate well). I'm not sure which others they had, but I believe I saw Chocolate Cherry at some point (a brown cherry I haven't tried yet), at least one other small red, and an orange.

CH

CH

I'm sure Lowe's and Home Depot still have tomato plants. Last time I was there, a couple of weeks ago they did. I may pick up a couple of cherries if they do and see how they do since I know they take off fast here. I won't bother putting them in the ground at this point - but I have quite a few large pots laying around so I may as well put them to good use.

It's funny; I don't typically buy cherry tomatoes at the market but was reminded the other day how much I do enjoy them when I was at a small green market in NYC and picked some up to make a bread salad for dinner. It was a mixture of different colors, and all were so incredibly sweet that you barely even needed to dress the salad with much more than some olive oil. My BF and I sat there in silence eating, and when done, both agreed that we really needed to add these little gems to the garden!

I have high expectations of my Gardenberry F1, haven't tried it yet, will be ready for tasting in 2-3 days so i can let you know how it stands.

You could also consider Suncherry premium, similar but yet slightly different from Sungold. They make a nice pair with red and orange mixed up.

Cheers,
Djole

I haven't made tomato juice yet, so I won't try to advise about that. But you could certainly add them to any canning or tomato-sauce-making you're doing, as many people prefer using multiple varieties of tomatoes.

These are two of our favorite summer dishes using Sun Golds.

Fresh (uncooked) Tomato "Sauce"

Cherry tomatoes cut in half or beefsteaks cut into bite-size pieces or combo of the two
Minced garlic
a little extra virgin olive oil
fresh basil chiffonade
lemon zest
S&P

Combine, cover, and let sit at room temp for a couple hours. Toss with hot pasta. Serve with grated Parmesan.

and...

Pasta with Sun Gold Tomatoes

Dr. C has a very nice yellow cherry. A number of people I've given it to say it is a low acid fruit.