Cheers
Mantis

I'll take some seeds with me. Even if I don't end up with garden space, I'll grow in containers.

...and I'm not even really harvesting *this* seasons crop yet!

When is the best time to order seeds from Up Over? Are there any preferred / highly recommended suppliers? I am, of course, savouring the task of forum research and an ordering spree on some cold and wintery day - but advance suggestions are welcome.

Amanda

Best place to order from? I think Tomato Growers Supply Company have a very good reputation. Their site is a very tempting place. Good for a cold winter's day. :)

Now, how to decide.

Verna Orange - everyones fave so far, including the cat!
Pink Brandywine - a named strain, not the generic I have this year
College Challenger (& any other college varieties I can get)
Heidi - mentioned in US as excellent paste type
Box Car Willie - to sell at co op
Green Zebra - 'cos it looks cool & the kids like it

Then I think I'll try & go for one of every colour I can get from you guys!
Oh & a whole heap of different cherries to grow on the trellis.

Then of course I have to start on my eggplant list!

Silvery Fir Tree - gorgeous plant, small stature but big flavour for an early. It's on my "must grow" list.

Jaune Flammée - the fruit are not only plentiful and tasty, but beautiful to boot. On the list.

Gregori's Altai - though listed as early it wasn't for me. But very productive and I liked the flavour of the pink fruit. On the list.

Anna Russian - did very poorly for me, only got one fruit, but oh how it tasted. I'll give it another chance.

How in hell am I supposed to decide? Silver Fir Tree, Brandywine Sudduth AND OTV, Marianna's Peace, Soldaki. And they're just the ones whose names I remember. I've already decided to sacrifice the lettuce space (it'll go in pots) to toms, but there's still only room for three.

PP

Mantis *off out the back to see what changes can be made*
*Oh yeah, and to get another can from the shed fridge*

Brandywine Suddeths
Zogola
Cherokee Purple
Principe Borghese
Black Krim
Early Wonder
Snow White
Resentraube
Kellogs Breakfast
Stupice

Of my seed supply the ones I think (now) that will go in are:

Box Car Willie
Soldaki
Anna Russian
Silver Fir Tree
Cherokee Choclate
Marianas Peace (seeds from Peter, I hope they perform better than the one plant I grew this year - great taste but small tomatoes)

Mantis

I'm looking at spring sowings of every snow and snap pea I can lay my hands on, especially those supposedly resistant to powdery mildew! I want ones that are productive, delicious and PM resistant. Am I asking too much? I may have to create my own.

Brassicas! I've never had a great deal of success with brassicas. I think Sydney is just too warm. I'm looking forward to trying them out in Armidale - except brussel sprouts of course!

I think I'll have to build a hoop house or similar to indulge my melon growing ambitions. I don't think Armidale will have a long enough warm season - first frost April, last frost October, in good years!!!

What else? Well, my search for a fine, round, stringless bean continues. You can get them everywhere in France. Never seen them here, but there are loads of varieties to try. Speaking of beans, has anyone grown borlottis for fresh eating? I stuck one in as an experiment and was impressed by its tenacity under very tough conditions - planted in sand, almost never watered. Mind you, it could have been a one bean wonder I suppose.

Carrots! Now there's another challenge for me. Never had any luck with them, though I try every year. Again, I'll just keep trying different varieties.

Oca! Mine, as expected, did no good here, or at least, they haven't yet! They need a nice longish autumn. Perhaps another Armidale crop? I'd like to try Ulluco as well. Can't see them supplanting potatoes, but you never know.

Well, I suppose it can't be avoided really - tomatoes. Those on my definite list are

Aunt Gertie's Gold (to try)
Carbon (to try)
Cherokee Green (to try)
Cherokee Purple (want lots!)
Earl of Edgecombe (to try)
Fritsch (bad luck this season, but the one I had makes it worth another go)
Heatherington Pink (Not growing enough pinks!)
Jaune Flammée (love this little number)
Kellogg's Breakfast (to try)
Neves Azorean Red (to try)
Silvery Fir Tree (as an early - yummo!)
Marianna's Peace (smooth-shouldered version - hope it lives up to the hype!)

And a whole host of meaty types for drying/preserving/saucing

Heidi (if I can lay my hands on some seed)
Opalka
Palmwoods
San Marzano
San Marzano Redorta (Ridorta?)
Wuhib
?Others

My wish list is just too big, but Paragon and Earl's Faux are at the top.

Then there's my Aussie tomato grow out ...

Mmmmmm ... not sure an acre of land is really big enough!!!

I can bring Chantenay Red-Cored Carrot seeds to Rutherglen, if you like some. They are nice for an autumn sowing and you can leave them in the ground for ages.

Mantis