What else is new in the Sutton tomato selection for 2012? Yesterday I took a look at F1 Lizzano. Highlighted as a truly outstanding new variety.
Today I am looking at the other three new varities, avaliable as seed.
F1 Giulietta. Plum Fruited. Ideal for sandwiches, frying or grilling. Bred by own group, this large-fruited ‘Italian’ plu,m variety performed superbly in last year’s trials. The fruits set well, even under cool conditions and are juicy and delicious. It produces high yields and boasts a good range of disease resistance.
Initially I was going to put it in the same punnet as Roma or San Marzano. But then I thought they are good for cooking, especially for making sauce and Giulietta gets name checked for sandwiches. And yes – frying and grilling but the fruit is still kept and eaten whole. So an interesting innovation? Price to find out – £2.15 for 7 seeds.
F1 Spencer. Medium Fruited. For Greenhouse Culture. Early-maturing. A standard, indeterminate variety. Spencer is intended for growing in a greenhouse, polytunnel or a sheltered spot outside. The fruits are medium-sized, strong red in colour, and have a good flavour.
Not sure why the Shirley lovers would swap to Spencer as this ‘shirley’ has to be the same market? Perhaps good to think of it as a complementary variety- as Barbie has her Ken – so Shirley now has Spencer? Price of true love – £1.99 for 7 seeds.
Megabite. A superb dwarf variety. A windowsill variety. Whether you grow them on windowsills, in containers, borders, greenhouse or conservatory, expect a good crop of large, tasty bright red fruit which, despite their size, show good resistance to fruit fall. Perfect for pick-your-own at barbecues!
This is confusing – megabite – but for windowsills? The photo does show two large fruit being a handful – and a chunky stem in the background – but how does all that fit on a windowsill? It won’t be me who gets to find out as, with the exception of the kitchen, my house is sill-less. But if anyone has a spare sill and £2.15 for 7 seeds it would be great to find out!