[gardeners] What makes a variety a "winner"
Catharine Vinson (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Thu, 25 Jun 1998 00:53:44 +0000
Although I am never one to stir the pot <duck>, I feel driven to post the
following and ask you all what you think. On first reading, I was shocked
to see that it was written by an organization I have admired for many
moons: TAMU. I may still be shocked, saddened, etc. But maybe they have a
point and its only when we forget that they are saying that they are NOT
RATING TASTE that tempers flare. For me, TASTE is everything when it comes
to picking a variety. I would rather have *one* incredibly flavorful
"Dinner Plate" tomato than a dozen "Celebrities." But then, I am not
growing for A&P. Maybe what's bothering me is that TAMU is using the word
"gardener" to describe agribusiness instead of "jest folks" like me who
want to grow good FOOD, not commidity crops. Anyway, enough of my soapbox.
Here's what TAMU says:
==========================
"Texas Agricultural Extension Service horticulturists expect every
gardener who selects our recommended varieties of tomatoes and peppers
to harvest at least 15-30 pounds of marketable (quality) tomatoes per
plant and at least 3-5 pounds of quality peppers per plant if the
following cultural techniques are followed!! Concerning taste,
consumer flavor preference is mostly determined by personal preference
for component flavor ratios of a given vegetable. Some people love the
Surefire flavor; others hate the flavor. Unfortunately, some of these
folks with differing opinions are married so we are not saying whether
a product tastes "good" or "bad". Now you have a chance to experience
new wonders by the productive new vegetable varieties in Texas. These
are listed and described below. If you don't enjoy the flavor, your
neighbors probably will. "
Catharine