An Alphabet of Tomatoes

Did you get much of a crop from mass sowing/ planting, slightly left to their own devices?

The problem with mixing all the seeds together is - not knowing how your plants grow- are they Tall/indeterminate or Short/Bushy/Determinate or even suited for windowsills. Also, if you find one you like to eat, you've no idea what it is.
Some years, I've sown in module trays with a different variety in each module. I don't label them - but give the modules a number like 1A, 2A, etc and write these, with names, on the back of an envelope.
I may do that again this year.

Some very good points there. That I obviously hadn’t considered. I think my initial thought was what ever germinated I’d just pot up and sell on my barrow as a lucky dip. It’s only recently I’ve been considering just chucking some / all ( depending on germination) in a bed and the just get on with it. Not really worrying about armpit removal and only staking when necessary. But the not knowing what they are if I actually like them. That’s a rather large boo boo on my part! Think I’ll go back to my original plan and just put them on my barrow. At least that way I can sow them this year as well.

So has your alphabet of tomatoes helped you narrow down your choices for this year’s growing season?

It’s definitely helped me , so thank you. I’ve gone from not growing any veg this year to filling the tunnel with tomatoes.
I have space for 11 plants comfortably. I have a short list of 17 to reduce a little more.

Also discovered probably another 30 varieties I want to grow……… one day.

I'm going to choose a couple of the recommended toms, that I don't usually grow, and may sow a couple of lucky dip ones too. Most of the seeds are so old I don't have high hopes of them germinating, unfortunately.
I've acquired a few more toms since last year's sowing round, that I'd like to grow this year. Peche Vilmorin, Muchamiel, Whippersnapper and Black Krim.
There may be more on the way because I'm going to another Seed Swap next week.

It’s very exciting stuff. Think I might use a very scientific approach to narrowing down my short list. I’m going to grow the first 11 varieties I come to from my short list when I go through my seed tin. The others will be back up for any that don’t germinate.

I’ve grown black krim. I found it very similar to Black Russian in size, colour, flavour. But unfortunately not as productive. Don’t let that put you off. I think a fair few of the varieties I’ve not had great success with, just don’t like being this far north. That’s my excuse. It obviously has nothing to do with my lack of talent!

I've grown Black Krim before too. It survived in a GH down west without watering or any attention from one week to the next. Also Purple Ukraine. Can't remember what the other toughies were that year!