Tomato Growing 2025

Has anyone else tried the new this year (I think) variety Red Dragon? It is described as having a superlative flavour but mine seem to taste no better than, or even not as good as, supermarket tomatoes. They also seem to have a very tough skin. Not impressed at all.

 

If it's of any help, Red Dragon has been around since the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show. Developed from a 'show variety'. That speaks to me of its looks and doesn't bode well at all for its taste. JKW said it all "...over hyped..." to sell seeds.

 

Just found out that it's from Medwyn Williams. He was very famous years ago for his gigantic vegetables. He won all the prizes for SIZE, not for flavour.

 

Thanks @JWK and @Fred Clarke, I shan't be growing it next year. To be honest, I only tried it because it was Welsh and my daughter got married in Wales last November.
In future I think I am only going to grow cherries - the rest never ripen in time outdoors here.

 

If you want Welsh varieties, I got gardeners ecstasy this year from a place in Pembrokeshire that produces local varieties. It's a good cherry one, I've been picking for months, good flavour. But I still prefer Sungold. If you want beefsteak, they also do "Lulu's best ever" - very productive and good for burgers.

 

Thank you @CarolineL, I have already ordered Sungold seeds for next year.

 

Katecat58. "...the rest never ripen in time outdoors here."

Kate. Can I suggest that you look at the heritage early and mid-season varieties? I live only 70 miles south of you and have not had a problem with ripening in over 50 years. In my opinion, the absolute best-tasting tomatoes are nearly all heritage types. Taste is subjective, of course.

 

Thank you for the suggestion @Fred Clarke. Do you have any particular recommendations?

 

Today's picking. Buffalosun F1 has tomatoes split because of recent heavy rains.
Won't get that much in one go anymore.
Already pulled out more than a half of outside growing plants today.

 

I don't want to take up too much space on these pages, so I have sent you a PM with my response.

 

I am relieved to read so many of you experts have been disappointed with your crops this year. I thought it was just me!
My plants have behaved strangely, very slow to get away, then massive leaves and ages before flowers appeared, slow to set fruit then suddenly they all grew rather spinldy pale growth with masses and masses of flower buds at the top of the plants. The only variety to crop well was Surrenders Indian Sour.
I usually have more than enough tomatoes to freeze, eat, and share with my neighbour but not this year. I have only frozen a few, given my neighbour half a dozen to taste and eaten a few.

 

I agree, My Tomatoes have been rubbish this season.
I had two plants that grew to 3ft with no flowers, a Beef Steak that only had two Tomatoes. The only plant to give me a reasonable crop was
Alicia Craig. I using the same compost mix as previous years,
Equal parts of my own compost, Coir, Perlite and feed.
But we carry on don't we

 

I’ve retired my tomatoes. A good pan full for making a pasta sauce and the leaves go to their new home on the compost. The little green ones go to the council bin as last year’s compost seemed to have tomato seedlings! The pots can be used for Spring bulbs now.

Great to hear and see all your successes and tips. I always say I won’t bother next year (I don’t eat a lot of toms) but I grow them to give away mostly and that’s really enjoyable.

 

I'm about to processed my toms also for passata along with green toms for chutney. All have been kept in the freezer - just have to sterilised jars and they will keep me going for the next year.