[Market-farming] Hybrid versus open pollinated

Alliums garlicgrower at earthlink.net
Sun Dec 1 13:07:17 EST 2002


Hi, Folks!

I've been growing OP tomatoes for Seed Savers Exchange for the past 10 
years.  I have 2 varieties that I'm responsible for and 3 "open slots" in 
my growing area to grow out tomatoes for other SSE collegues.  Some work 
great, some don't.

If you can't take the time to trial varieties (and not everyone can, which 
is why folks like me exist), find a nut like me (or several of them) in 
your own growing area and ASK THEM what works and what doesn't.

A few heirlooms work everywhere, but most don't -- their strength and their 
weakness is that they were developed for a specific region for a specific 
purpose.  If you're in that region and growing them for that purpose, 
you'll have the right variety.  If you try a variety that worked in a 
different climate, it may or may not work for you.

With literally thousands of available heirloom tomato varieties, there are 
a few that will work great no matter where you are.  The key is to find out 
which ones will work for *you*.

Dorene Pasekoff, Coordinator
St. John's United Church of Christ Organic Community Garden

A mission of
St. John's United Church of Christ, 315 Gay Street, Phoenixville, PA  19460





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