Tomatoes... how are they doing over there?

Hey, all!

I'm in the midst of planning a cooking event for the second weekend of July, which'll take place in Chicago. We're thinking about going pretty tomato-heavy (theme ingredient, actually), and I'd ordinarily consider that a little early for the best tomatoes, but I thought I heard somewhere that the season's running a little early this year... is that the case?

Thanks!

I was at Green City Market on Wednesday and they had sizable heirloom varieties (as well as standard hothouse tomatoes). The heirlooms were quite good (we picked up Purple, Green Zebra and Pineapple varieties). I didn't notice where they were from. By mid-July I suspect we'll have a lot more to choose from. I guess it all depends on whether hothouse tomatoes will suit your needs.

As far as my own tomatoes go, we started late so they still have a way to go. Had I planted 3 weeks earlier I'd guess they'd be good by mid-July.

Hi- Actually with all this hot weather we have been having, you can probably get some good cherry and plum tomatoes by the middle of July. You can find some Early Girl tomatoes by then too. It will be kind of pushing it to get lots of heirloom beefsteak tomatoes that early, unless they they come from a greenhouse. Hope this helps, Nancy

spinynorman99 wrote:I was at Green City Market on Wednesday and they had sizable heirloom varieties (as well as standard hothouse tomatoes). The heirlooms were quite good (we picked up Purple, Green Zebra and Pineapple varieties). I didn't notice where they were from. By mid-July I suspect we'll have a lot more to choose from. I guess it all depends on whether hothouse tomatoes will suit your needs.

Those heirlooms at the GCM are from Iron Creek farm, and they're grown indoors. Not bad, but I take a pass. Rather excitingly, there has been one vendor at the GCM who has had a very small supply of outdoor-grown tomatoes at the last 2 markets. Sadly for the rest of you, I bought him out at the opening bell both times

I've consistently seen heirlooms at Stanley's for $1/lbs. Like everything else they sell, the quality and freshness is hit and miss.

I've been able to pluck a few Sungold Tomatoes a few times per week since Memorial Day.

All other varieties are fruitless, although I do have flowers on one.

Unfortunately, I'm trying to tame them & suspect sprawl culture will be how I go for most of them this year.