EarthBox unique crops

[seansmum]

Excuse me. I'm drooling!!!
Sue

[MamaKat]

YUM!!!! looks great!

[PaulB]

I can hardly wait until the other three varities ripen.  I know what the casaba tastes like, it's one of my favorites, but I have no idea what the Sakata Sweet and the Spanish Meloro will taste like.  Yet another gardening adventure.......

[MamaKat]

I'm just all aquiver waiting for my run-of-the-mill cantaloupes to ripen. Maybe next year i'll try more exotic varieties.

[John]

My EarthBox patio garden is thriving!  It's a good year in the NE
Armenian Cuks, Carmello Tomatoes and Italian Eggplant!
Just made another batch of fresh dill and garlic pickles.  The next batch will be with the Armenian cuks!  Here's the recipe...
                  http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?topic=1059.msg18024#msg18024
          

[MaryB]

I'm just all aquiver waiting for my run-of-the-mill cantaloupes to ripen. Maybe next year i'll try more exotic varieties.

Don't knock run-of-the-mill cantaloupes; they are awesome too. We're enjoying our first ones ever grown in the EB and will probably devote more boxes to them next year.

[John]

Here's a different variety of tomato from my EarthBox garden.  This Tigerella tomato is small but flavorful and is on my list for next year...

[John]

Just picked my first Ukrainian "Lidy" tomato from my Earthbox.  A great variety this year when many people are experiencing splitting, end rot and catfacing.....so far, none on this variety!

[John]

This is the first time I am grew "Old Ivory Egg" tomatoes in the EarthBox.  The plant is loaded with tomatoes and reaches the top bar of my staking system. To me, this unique, mild tasting tomato compares to some of the yellow varieties. My neighbor was wondering why I have a bowl of Easter Eggs on my patio in August?  

[MaryB]

I saw the picture and immediately thought eggplant. Nope, tomatoes! I need to get past the yuck factor of eating green tomatoes. They remind me of tomatoes that aren't ripe and I haven't gotten excited about growing any. Do you cook with these tomatoes, John? Green tomato sauce?

[mjb8743]

I need to get past the yuck factor of eating green tomatoes. They remind me of tomatoes that aren't ripe and I haven't gotten excited about growing any.

I know what you mean, Mary! However... Last year I summoned up the courage to try Aunt Ruby's German Green, and got hooked. sweet/tart/spicy/tomatoey... hard to describe, but I love 'em. That gave me the courage to overcome my other yuck response over 'black' tomatoes. Now, my favorite cherries are Black Cherry, Snow White (really pale yellow/cream), and old fav Sweet Million. Green Grape has good tomato flavor but not a hint of zing/acid... I prefer the zing.

Mickie

[MaryB]

Thanks, Mickie. I love the blacks, yellows and whites. We also have snow whites this year and absolutely love them. But green... LOL. I am going to grow green zebra next year. Since they do have some yellow in them, I'm hoping it'll help me get over my green tomato phobia. I really dislike the taste of unripe tomatoes but love the plain simple sweet/tart/spicy tomato you describe. I know I'll be a convert just as soon as we have a great green tomato! DH bought a green tomato at the farmer's market this summer and it was mediocre at best. One bite was enough for me and he wasn't particularly impressed either.

What do you do with your green tomatoes? Do you use them for cooking and canning? I'm envisioning a fresh green pasta sauce and man, it better have an awesome taste! On the other hand, nothing is better than green pesto on pasta, so I know it's all in my head.

[mjb8743]

What do you do with your green tomatoes? Do you use them for cooking and canning? I'm envisioning a fresh green pasta sauce and man, it better have an awesome taste! On the other hand, nothing is better than green pesto on pasta, so I know it's all in my head.

I like them just sliced with salt, pepper, EVOO... it never occurred to me to make a green pasta sauce. Maybe because I eat 'em as soon as I spot a ripe one 

When ripe, they're a green color with yellow starting from the flower end, but if it's all yellow, it's overripe. Inside, it's a lovely lime green... beautiful on a plate with other colors.

My yellow and experimental orange and black ones were a disappointment, so that will free up 6 boxes next year for more Aunt Ruby and another experiment.

Mickie

[PaulB]

I've tried all the different melons I have growing now.  Of the four varities, the only ones I will replant is the casaba and the spanish meloro.  I won't bother with the sakata's sweet and the tigger again.  Interesting melons, but not to my taste.  The meloro, being a variety of canary melon, has ivory colored meat that is firm and sweet, very much like a honeydew or the casaba.

I won't bother with the goliath again, either, but will instead plant two of the jubilee tomato plants.  I love them sliced on sandwiches, very meaty with little juice.

The tomatillo was attacked heavily by small grasshoppers, which ate many of the leaves and some of the immature fruit.  I harvested a handfull of them (they are pale yellow when ripe) but am about to pull the plant up and ready the box for the next planting.  The small tomatos are doing very well, having adjusted to the weather and are producing like crazy.  Not enough to sell, but more than we can eat.  I won't plant the grape or yellow pear again, tho, too small of producers, in spite of being large plants.  I am picking fruit from over my head now, along with some that are growing near ground level.

[John]

PaulB,
Thanks for the input!  
Mary,
I don't think I would try to make green pasta sauce. My guess is that you would have to add a ton of sugar.  Interesting idea though, maybe I will try!
Mickie,
I'm surprised you like the black tomatoes (many people don't favor them).  These are some "Chocolate Cherries" I picked this morning.  They are the largest cherries I ever grew.  If you're looking for a new one to grow, try this one, I think you'll be impressed! Best flavor when they are fully ripe to a chocolate cherry color.

My definition of summer: A tossed garden salad with 3 different, EarthBox grown, colored tomato varieties!
gold, red, green.......................black, yellow, red...........................green, pink, white