Spring and fall, varieties that hold up to heat and humidity earn their spots in Gulf Coast gardens. Large-fruited cherry varieties or vigorous ‘Juliet’ help guarantee a successful season, but be careful with heirlooms. ‘Arkansas Traveler’ and ‘Creole’ set fruit well in humid heat compared with many other open-pollinated varieties.
Slicers
1. ‘Better Boy’
2. ‘Big Boy’
3. ‘Brandywine’
Also: ‘Celebrity,’ ‘Early Girl,’ ‘Arkansas Traveler’
Cherries
1. ‘Super Sweet 100’
2. ‘Black Cherry’
3. ‘Yellow Pear’
Also: ‘Sweet Chelsea,’ ‘Sungold’
Paste/Canning
1. ‘Roma’
2. ‘Amish Paste’
3. ‘San Marzano’
Also: ‘Opalka,’ ‘Polish Linguisa’
Really Big Ones
1. ‘Beefsteak’
2. ‘Big Boy’
3. ‘Better Boy’
Also: ‘Beefmaster,’ ‘Red Oxheart,’ ‘Floradade’
Saladette/Pear
1. ‘Yellow Pear’
2. ‘Juliet’
3. ‘Porter’
Non-reds
1. ‘Cherokee Purple’
2. ‘Yellow Pear’
3. ‘Pineapple’
Neighborly Advice
“Be vigilant, be sure to tend your garden every day, and catch problems early.”
Bob Schultz
San Antonio, Texas
“To prevent diseases, make sure your plants have good support. Trim the plants so the lowest leaves don’t touch the ground, and water at the base so the leaves stay dry.”
C. D. Kross
DeFuniak Springs, Florida
“I’m lucky to live where there are two tomato seasons. Regional varieties such as ‘Creole’ and ‘Gulf Coast Market’ have what it takes to be successful here.”
Johannah Foss
Houston, Texas
Contributing editor Barbara Pleasant gardens in southwest Virginia, where she grows vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers and a few lucky chickens. Contact Barbara by visiting her website or finding her on Google+.