Tomato Tasting (Pink, Purple, Black Slicing Varieties) August 2021 

Hi Hunted! What a nice compliment! Thank you! Thanks for watching/commenting! Don't miss Mondays (#2 of 4). A lot of excellent tomatoes in that one! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hey Derrick! Holly...She knows all about the camera now! lol Watch what she does in the video "Thank You To My Subscribers 4000" in the end. And that was very intentional too! It's pretty funny and you can see her looking into the camera several times. A scene stealer! The tomatoes... Derrick, there were so many of those that were just excellent! Glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for watching/commenting! I appreciate that very much. Happy Gardening! -Mark

Im eating a tomato sandwich while watching!

Dang it, now I want a tomato sandwich too.

Hi Harvey! lol Than I must have done a pretty good job than! Thank you for all the kind words! On Monday 8/9 around lunch is video #2 of 4 being available to watch. That one has some really excellent varieties in it, so if you get a chance, check it out. Harvey, thanks so much for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Tomato sandwich? I've never heard of that.

@@LHSmith-hl5ro what!? Beefsteak tomato, mayo, a little salt and pepper, lettuce if you have to (can't hurt). My bro always sprinkles oregano all on rye. I like old fashioned firm white. Mmm

Hi! Well, hope I didn't disappoint you! Monday's video (#2 of 4) has some really excellent varieties, so if you get a chance, catch that one! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi R! Glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you! Overalls.....They are practical for around here. Give them a try! lol Thank you so much for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi David! Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying the video series. The comments and suggestions from viewers have only helped in making it better. The next video will have more than me tasting because several people have requested more than just I do the tasting, so we are going to give that a try and see how it works. I am going to expand the number of varieties I grow next year using many favorites from suggestions from viewers plus some I throw in as well. Dave, thank you so much for watching and commenting too! You have a great day! -Mark

Hi JDF! Thanks! Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Warren! I'm happy you enjoyed the tomato video. Wow! Thank you! That's really kind of you to say! Thanks for watching/commenting! Warren, you have a great upcoming week! Best, -Mark

Hi Kristi! I really enjoy doing it to tell you the truth. It's fun! -Mark

Hi Mike! An even better one coming tomorrow around lunch time! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Joseph! Thank you! Hard work.......yes, but I love it! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Susan! I'm glad you like them and it's all my pleasure to share what I've learned over the years. Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Wow! Thanks Amy! It's all my pleasure. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. Spread the word of my channel if you would. All my best, -Mark

Hi CS! Thank you! Tomorrows (Mon 8/9) is even better! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi! If you get a chance, check out tomorrows video (#2 of 4 Mon. 8/9). It has many excellent varieties in it! Thank you so much for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Marrjoram! It's a great tomato! Watch the next tomato video tomorrow. Some excellent varieties in that group. Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Alfredo! Glad you liked the video! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Sharon! Lots more coming in the next 3 tomato tasting videos. Tomorrows video (Monday 8/9) has some really excellent varieties, so if you get a chance, check it out. Sharon, thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Vickie! Vickie I love tomato pickin time too and you are very welcome! I really enjoy sharing my knowledge and I've learned so much from people kind enough to comment and share their's with me! So it definitely is a two way street! Thank you so much for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Barb! 1923 Abraham Lincoln.....It is a good one! Watch todays video. Some extraordinary varieties in this one! Thanks for the kind words Barb! Thank you so much for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 watched the excellent video, but nothing can compare to 1923!

I love Thorburns Terra Cotta, it is my favorite!

I am so pumped you tried the mortgage lifter tomato! I’m growing it for the first time...not sure of the strain though. It’s the only one so far that has skyrocketed when we had a drop in temps. Definitely looking into getting some Cherokee Purple and 1923 seeds for next year. I’ve got some Brandywine seeds and so that’s on my 2022 plant list now too!

Hi Tina Marie! lol You're very welcome! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Tomorrows tomato video (#2 of 4) has some excellent varieties in it. Hope you catch it!

@@marksgardenlife5971 there’s 4 tasting videos????? 😱 Oh my goodness, I’m going to need a lot more creative ingenuity on how I’m going to grow all the ones you seem to get me so excited about! I can practically taste what you describe. Cant wait for the harvest here! This is becoming dangerous to my garden real estate...😆. I have more passions and visionary dreams that outgrow my space. BUT! I’m taking on the challenge. It’s part of the creative fun. 😉 Oh, and we were only 69° today with lots of rain! 🙌🏻 Unfortunately, triple digits heading our way again next weekend 😫. Saw someone’s comment on Holly and realized I completely missed the Holly shenanigans! I was mainly listening while toggling back and forth with another app typing my notes🤓 What a little stinker! She’s definitely got Diva syndrome...”pay attention to me!..or else” 😂 She’s such a doll baby I’m sure it’s hard to stay upset with her..I think she knows it too lol. Such a smart cookie! 🥰 I’ll try to catch tomorrow’s video. Thanks for the heads up!

Hi Rajish! Glad you enjoyed. Wait until you see todays tomato video! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Joyce! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, many more to come too! How about I send some of this Maryland heat your way? lol Today, they are calling for 97 to 100F! When you walk out of the air-conditioning, it hits you right in the face! Joyce, thanks so much for watching and commenting! Have a wonderful day! -Mark

Hi Roger! Thank you! Roger, you would not believe the variability you can have with heirloom strains. I am going to start a seed company and sell strains that I find are the best and produce the seed myself since I have so much land that I can do it. I'm glad you are enjoying the series. Wait until the next ones coming up. I'm not the only one doing the tasting and it's really great fun! Thank you so much for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 Please start a seed company! I know people who have given up growing heirloom tomatoes just because of the constant disappointment. I"ll be your first customer and I'll bet you can come up with a ton more! I hope you are enjoying making all the videos as much as we like watching and learning.

Hi Joe! There were some good ones in the group. Don't miss tomorrows video (#2 of 4) Some excellent ones in that video. Joe, thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Doug! Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful as well. Some of those varieties are the best flavored tomatoes you could ever taste. Thank you for watching and of course, I appreciate your comments too! Doug, you have a great upcoming week! Best, -Mark

Hi Gina! Sometimes things need a little help to make them better! A little salt never hurt anything, right! The 2nd in a series of four tomato videos comes out at lunch tomorrow. Some real winners in that group of tomatoes, so if you get a chance, check the video out. Gina, thanks for watching/commenting and also thank you for being one of my early supporters of the channel! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 No problem! I just watched it and placed 2 different seed orders, lol.

Hey Scott! Thank you and it's my pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed. The next tomato video is coming out tomorrow at lunch and it really good. I've grown Park's Whopper and Super Sweet 100 before. I found the Park's very similar to Big Beef and the Super Sweet 100 is a big improvement over Sweet 100. Scott, as always, thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! Tomorrows (#2 of 4 total -Mon 8/9) has some really excellent varieties in it, so if you get a chance check that one out also. Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 I' ll check it out

Hi Li e! It's my pleasure! Thank you! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 yes good

Hi ISAIT! Glad you like the tastings. Of course, can't forget cherry tomatoes! lol I have some really great ones to show too! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi John! Not sure about that, but it sounds nice! lol Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 Hi Mark, you are my go to vegetable guy. Your garden is awesome and inspiring. Thanks so much for your informative videos. Good luck with your channel it is very helpful.

John, thank you! -Mark

Just to clarify - those of us who have grown many varieties of tomatoes understand that not all heirlooms are wonderful-tasking, and not all hybrids are bland or thick-skinned. And if your heirloom plant completely succumbs to disease, is that reason to insist all hybrids are bland or not worth growing? Maybe a future video you can document your experiences with heirlooms vs. hybrids, and what are the pros and cons of each?

Thanks Gina! My ad revenue doesn't even pay for the camerman's time.

@@marksgardenlife5971 love the videos! A few months ago you asked for suggestions. Who's your camera man. Whats their story?

Camera man...A friend who helps me out. I like using a camera with a zoom and I like not having to worry with shooting myself because I think it limits what you can do on camera. I don't like the camera though and am going to replace it this month with another brand. It was a expensive camera and I'm disappointed in it. How's he doing? Any suggestions for improvement? He never operated a camera prior to this, so it's a learning process for both of us. I've never been on camera before any of this. Gina, thanks for asking. Best, -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 Hey Mark. That wasn’t me who asked about your cameraman. It was someone who replied under my comment. I was telling folks to let your ads play. But if you’re asking, I think everything looks very professional that both you and the cameraman are presenting us. I also think the camera seems to be really good quality along with the audio.

@@marksgardenlife5971 yes the zooming is nice. Thank you for the response. Love the channel. Love seeing your big, healthy tomatoe plants again this year.

Hi Kurt! lol Thanks! They are very handy as far as lots of pockets. Thanks for watching/commenting! I think this is the first time I've received a comment from you? Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 I think I've chimed in a few times. Never about the overalls, tho! :-) I'm thinking now that I'm living back in the Midwest I should get me another pair. But def. too hot to wear here now!

Hi R! Biceps....Everyone probably thinks I go to the gym, but nope, I don't do a thing. lol My legs are the same way if that makes you feel any better! lol Just kidding! Thanks for the kind compliment! Best, -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 wow!, yes, I thought you did weight lifting... and your legs the same...😍🔥would love to see them. The closer the camera the better 😍 handsome!

Hi Jessika! Thank you! I listened to viewer comments and I think it was a big improvement over last years. Smokey grapefruit....lol 1st thing that came to mind! Invite for garden tour......yes, I would really enjoy doing something like that when the world gets a little safer. Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Sherry! Oh, she's adorable alright! I don't know if you noticed, but that clip was edited right after that shot of her showing up behind me. Did you see her eyeing up my backside while laying on her back? Right after she rolled back over, she walked up and nipped me on the butt! It had to be edited because what came out of my mouth! lol Watch what she did to me in the "Thank you for 4,000 subscribers"! It's in the very end of the video. That was all intentional too! She's going through the terrible twos Rottie stage! She's smart as it comes. Look at her looking into the camera on the 4,000 sub. video. Unbelievable! You can see her thinking what am I gonna get into next look in her eyes! lol Thanks for watching and commenting too! Sherry, you have a wonderful day! -Mark

Hi Victor! Thanks! But I think you will get more out of watching about the tomatoes! lol Thanks for watching! Have a great day/evening! Best, -Mark

Hi Randall! Thank you! All the best, -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 All the best to you as well my good man.

Hi Thomas! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! I had a BLT for lunch. Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Ivette, was I a little too animated in my description? lol I don't remember after doing so many! A good choice again though. Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi ACD! Yep! lol Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

You Crack me up!

Hi Jody! The video....Jody, it's my pleasure to share what I've learned along the way. lol Now, that's a positive attitude! Wait until you see Monday's video. Some incredible looking and tasting tomatoes in this video. (#2 of 4) Holly...What's Holly up to? Well, lets see. Today she dug up my bed of fall crops that were just sown. I don't know if you noticed in the tomato tasting video Holly lying on her back with her feet up in the air behind me while reviewing the 1st tomato. Well, you can see that there was a edit during that review and Holly wasn't around anymore. Holly was apparently lying on her back thinking what she was going to do next and decided to roll over and nip me in my behind and we had to edit out what I said to Holly! Did you catch the video of me thanking my 4,000 subscribers? At the end Holly decided to splash water in my face and than nip me on the arm. Holly is going through the very terrible two's right now! lol Rotties are a super intelligent breed. Kiera who I just lost in June had a incredibly large vocabulary. Of course, half of it was food related, but it was a large vocabulary. Kiera loved to play hide and seek with the hidden thing being food of course. Her favorite game! lol Jody, thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 Mark thanks for giving me the down low on Miss Holly. I was just dying while reading your comment... Awww, I think Holly though she was helping in the garden because she saw you digging as well. It's just a joy to see how she presents herself in these videos. I didn't see your 4000 subscriber videos but I'm taking my time to catch up in the ones I've missed out on. She is just a joy to have around I can just imagine. I'm really sorry you loss Keira, stay strong. I think Holly is try to keep your spirit up because she knows Keira is not around anymore. I like seeing the raw stuff of what she does, it's cute. Ofcourse not, there is no fun in digging up your fall garden. I go crazy when I go to my plot and see that something was scratching in it. She is just so cute hm hm. She'll get it, she realizes the attention and she is just basking in it. I like when you have to stop in these videos to keep her in check...... thanks for your comment again and I'll definitely check to see what other things Holly has done to you while you shoot these videos. 😄

@@marksgardenlife5971 Can't wait to see Monday's Video, until then. Take care.....

Jody, you as well!

I am a huge dog/animal lover, so even when Holly is at her worst, I know she is in the terrible two stage right now and ignore her. All Rotties are like that when puppies. And it gives you funny memories for the rest of your life. I think of Kiera several times a day. A very sad and horrible thing to go through, but I'm going to honor Kiera by starting a charitable animal trust that helps with dogs. I figure in time, the power for me to raise large amounts of money for animals will be fairly good, so I am going to do all I can. I'm glad you enjoy Hollies antics! lol -Mark

Hi Parrish! I live in northern Maryland about 10 minutes from the PA line. I do have some disease problems here and there much more than last year. I think that pretty much goes hand in hand with tomatoes! lol We have been fairly dry up until this week. I appreciate you watching my channel and of course, thank you for commenting too! If you like my channel, please share it with your friends. I would appreciate your help! Parrish, you have a wonderful day/evening! Best, -Mark

Hi! Well, what else is there! Hope you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching and commenting too! Best, -Mark

Hi Gabriel! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! The soil.....Gabriel, watch the video "Building Garden Soil For Raised Beds" and it goes over what I use in my beds and why. Next video is today at lunch and it has some incredible varieties in it, so catch it if you get a chance. Yeah, Holly has been on her worst behavior lately! lol I took her swimming for a while yesterday and that drained some energy out of her. lol Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 Thank you Mark il check that video out, the next tomato 🍅 video would come out here at 2 am lol so I’ll be watching it after work which is 3:30pm Tuesday and can’t wait,😁 that will drain her, 😅 have a good Monday 😃

You have a good Monday too!

I have tried Aunt Ruby's and it seems like part of it is always mealy (usually the upper half), does that mean it is over or under ripe? I usually wait for the slight blush on bottom and the top is softish. I like the flavor, but can't get over the texture.

Hey WJS! Oh, she did alright, but we had to edit out what Holly decided to do because of the words that came out of my mouth! lol Did you notice Holly lying on her back with her feet up in the air looking at my backside? She rolled over and jumped up and nipped me right in the rear end! I guess she wasn't getting all the attention! lol So she stole the show alright! Did you see what she did to me in the thank you for 4,000 subscribers video in the very end? When you watch her on camera, you can see her thinking and getting agitated I wasn't playing with her enough. She took her nose and splashed water in my face and than nipped me on the arm in the very end of that video! lol Today, Holly decided to dig up all the cold crops that had been direct sown in one of the beds. It looked like a ground hog had been digging holes in it! At home, she sits on my leather couch in the library off my bedroom and watches "The Rottie Channel"! lol You'd have to see it to believe it! Well, as always, thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 She sounds like a diva! :) But I'm guessing a lot of fun to be around.

@@marksgardenlife5971 oh you should try and capture that on video. I'm sure we would love to see it.

Hey CAM! I'd probably have to pick Virginia Sweets. What part of Fl? Best, -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 Orlando! Central Florida home of the fungi, bugs,too much heat, and struggling plants.

That sounds like everything I don't want in a tomato.

gmo tomato.......are you really looking forward to that?

Hi Derrick! I'm fairly new to this just starting this year and recently just starting to post 3 or 4 times a week, so it probably takes several years to build a larger viewing audience. Spread the word though if you would! I certainly would appreciate that! Derrick, thank you for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 certainly will do, new Subscriber and enjoy your content, keep up the good work and the viewers will come 👍🏾

Derrick, welcome to the channel! Thank you! And I appreciate you spreading the word too. Take care, Mark

@@marksgardenlife5971 oh, your channel will grow super fast, my friend. It won’t take you years. You have natural charisma and video presence most of us lack. And your property is lush and productive. Keep doing what you are doing. The algorithm already picked you up. Mark my words!

Thank you!

Really?? I was thinking of growing this one next year. It sounds amazing! I may still give it a go, but thanks for the heads up about diseases! Blessings to you! 🙏🏻🙌🏻💞

what?! mine almost died to the point it was black as I missed covering it during the surprise frost this year as a baby plant but i saw some green and replanted it. It is huge! no diseases or issues and is potted. check your soil or adjacent plants

Hi! Isn't that something! I wonder why? Thank you so much for watching and commenting! You have a great day! -Mark

Hey AP! lol yes, definitely! How are things up in Alaska? How's your garden doing? As always, thanks for watching/commenting! Best, -Mark

Mine is producing wonderfully now that the crazy heatwave we’ve had (for over a month and a half!!) is over. It would have a lot more tomato’s on it if the heat didn’t cause it to drop blossoms. Can’t wait to try it. I have a ways to go before they are ripe though. There are different strains, like Mark said. When I got mine I did some research and found these strains: Red; bi-colored (red/yellow); Halladay’s (pink); yellow (yellow with red/pink streaks in the center); Radiator Charlie (pink-red, this strain is the original strain). Not sure which strain I have but I’m excited to see! I’d say give it a go! Blessings to you! 🙏🏻🙌🏻💞 *The story of this tomato is fun to read about too.

Hi Kay! All our seeds come from wholesale vendors since we buy so much seed every year.

Hi Larry! Email me at Marksgardenlife.com. Thank you!

Hi Cookinmom! I had a couple favorites! lol If you get a chance, check out tomorrows video (#2 of 4). Some really excellent varieties in that video. I think it's set to be available to view around lunch on Monday. Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Mark's Garden Life …I’ll watch it only if you tell us your top 3. Lol

Hi! Possibly I've had more rainfall here than you? Not sure. I have another video (#2 of 4) coming out today and that one has some excellent varieties in it, so if you get a chance catch that one. Some real monster tomatoes in that one! Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Anthony, glad you like them! Someone else said something today about them also. You guys are going to make my head big if you don't stop with all the compliments! lol Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

He knows exactly what he’s doing...........

Hi there! The birds only seem interested in the small cherry types, and there are just so many to go around that damage is barely noticeable. The only reason I assume they are eating them is because I find wild cherry tomatoes popping up in random far- far away places around the farm. The rats seem to be preoccupied with the nearby dairy/ horse farms. We also have lots of owls around. Maybe my dog's scent helps as a deterrent as well. I'm not sure. Thanks for commenting! -Mark

Holly is the young Rottweiler in Mr. Mark's family of fur babies. 🐶👶❤ She's quite the character! Watch more videos and you'll see what I mean 🙈

Hi CS! In another year I will be starting a seed company, so the answer is yes in another year. In case I save some seed this year, what is it you are interested in and I will give them to you. Thanks for watching/commenting! Happy Gardening! -Mark

Hi Merlyn! I don't like to give recommendations on companies. I always have felt if I recommend a company and someone has a bad experience with them, that reflects upon me as well. I'm sorry. In the next few years though, you will be able to purchase seeds from a seed company I am starting and customer service/quality will be top priority in anything I own. Merlyn, you have a wonderful week! Best, -Mark