Heirloom tomatoes?

I built a new vegetable bed over the winter, and am starting to think about what to put in it. Does anyone have any experience with heirloom tomatoes? I know that they are supposed to taste better than modern hybrids, but how hard are they to grow compared to the moderns? Do they stand up to Texas weather? Does anyone have any recommended varieties?

Thanks!
Dennis

mitch knows which ones can take the heat. i am sure he will be on. i started some brandywine from seeds and have 8 or 9 plants. this is my first time and with this success i am going to be sure and order some better varieties for texas next year.

I am trying Illini beauty I think it is and homestead seeds that I got from baker creek so far they are growing great I have them potted up now and am going to move them soon to get them ready to harden off for outside.
But mama is right Mitch knows the best and I think he posted someplace about it just have to find it again LOL

Mitch is in the process of moving his family this weekend. Sure hope he didn't hit all that snow on his way to Oklahoma from here. I'm sure he will be really tired when he finally gets back to Red Oak. He still has to teach tomorrow. Just when I meet him right here in my back door, he moves away. He is a one of a kind great person all around. Can't say enough nice things about him and his family.

LouC

Here ya go I found the thread

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/802919/

That's all I grow--they are as easy as the newer ones, just taste a whole lot better. They are the only tomatoes I've grown for about the last 6 years. I did try a shorter, smaller, more space saving variety from seed from Park's 2 or 3 years ago it did well too. The heirlooms hold up to the heat as well as any of them do (which isn't past end of June here). Fall tomatoes go in the ground about mid-August down here where I am. They do well with sufficient water--they really take off in October--we usually don't freeze until mid-December, if not later.
=)

I'll have to remember mid august so I can start some to put out then as DH loves tomatoes

Might be earlier where you are--might check with the local agriculture extension service.

=)

7/15-8/1 is the dates they give for my area

I'm trying Mule Team from Heirloom Seed Co. this year, it's supposed to love the heat. Hope they are right!

Well let us know how it does I am excited to see how all of my garden goes this first year in Texas so anything that works great I can add to a note book for trying next year

I've had good luck with Cherokee Purple around here as long as I made sure to water frequently and consistently. Yellow Pear was out of control - so many I couldn't possibly pick them all. Yummy too.

Green Zebra did real well, but some don't consider that to be an heirloom. Also, it's a bit on the acidic side.

A guy who spoke to our Master Gardener group recommended the yellow Kellogg's Breakfast, but I didn't have much luck with that one. Big Rainbow did ok for me, not great.

I think the biggest problem we have around here with tomatoes (of all kinds) is cracking due to inconsistent moisture levels. Oh yeah, and the darned mockingbirds (who I secretly love, but they do have a thing for toms. :)

Forgot to add that Costoluto Genovese did well for me too. Also yummy.

I wnated to try Cherokee Purple, but passed it by for some reason, will mark it with a star for next year!

Costoluto Genovese and Cherokee Purple both do well down here too. Green Zebra takes over the planet, but my daughter likes it because it tastes like ketchup (she's 19--we hope she will grow out of this); but I'm not doing it this year. I tend to prefer the purples and oranges myself; Black Prince is my favorite, but its not the best producer. I also like Carbon, Orange Jubilee, Costoluto Fiorentino, and Brandywine Suddeth. A friend brought me by an Orange Oxheart he got down at a garden center because he knows I like orange ones--so I will have to also try that one too this year so as not to hurt his feelings.

We get more rain down here so cracking (on any of them) has never been a problem for me--now heat and humidity at the beginning of July, that's the problem. Definitely have to do 2 crops down here.
=)