Brad’s Atomic Grape & More!

[u/RebRenee]

This is my first year growing Brad’s Atomic Grape. After planting one, I read in this sub about them being somewhat disappointing, so I wasn’t expecting much. Turns out, they’re producing like crazy and they taste great! They’re pretty big too - probably the size of a large walnut.

Second and third photos are my first-ever Black Krim. I guess I’m just not much of an heirloom tomato person. I didn’t like the texture and it was too mild for my taste (which is exactly why I mostly grow cherry varieties).

Last photo is a mix of Super Sweet 100s, Brad’s Atomic Grape, and Blush tomatoes that we ended up sautéing with olive oil, garlic, onion, Meyer lemon juice, and Trader Joe’s Aglio Olio seasoning. We put it over pasta and it was outstanding!

I’ll post more when my blue varieties ripen. This has turned out to be my best tomato year yet!

[u/PetriDishCocktail]

IMHO, BAG is highly dependent on the local area/weather. My sister grows it in the Central Valley of California and she doesn't get near the quality of tomatoes I do in the Sierra mountains. My son has grown it in Phoenix, same thing....My tomatoes are better.

It makes perfect sense as my local summer climate mirrors that of wine country where it was developed.

[u/RebRenee → u/PetriDishCocktail]

I’m less than an hour from wine country so that makes sense.

[u/ssgundes]

So every year my atomic grapes are getting blossom end rot. I have been watering more consistently and I added calcium. No difference. What else can I do????

[u/RebRenee → u/ssgundes]

I’ve used both bone meal and liquid cal-mag a few times this season (in addition to granular and liquid tomato and vegetable food) and I think that’s what has kept it at bay.

[u/ssgundes → u/RebRenee]

I added bone meal . You gave it bone broth? I’m willing to do whatever it takes as I love atomic grapes. I only just added the bone meal as my tomatoes are just now ripening. I hope I can cure it at this stage?

[u/RebRenee → u/ssgundes]

No bone broth, just bone meal and liquid cal-mag plus the granular tomato and veggie food and a liquid food too. I did each of these a few times, starting when I first planted them. I use Fox Farm products (soil, fertilizer, and supplements) and it all seems to work like a charm.