Tried & True Tomato
Lycopersicon esculentum.
It took nearly four hundred years for much of the Western world to overcome its fear of tomatoes. The Spanish conquistadores brought the New World fruit to Europe and reported that the Aztecs and Incas ate tomatoes regularly with no ill effect but, early Europeans greeted the American fruit with distrust because botanically it belonged to the deadly nightshade family.
Debates have long raged over whether the tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. Botanically, tomatoes are fruits, which confused many people because they are most often used as vegetables. In 1893, the U.S. Supreme Court reclassified the tomato as a vegetable. The question became a matter for the courts because of different trade regulations governing fruits and vegetables.
Store-bought tomatoes have little of the richness and sharp taste of home-grown variety. There is a dramatic difference in colour, flavour, texture, and juiciness in home-grown vine-ripened ones. The choice of tomatoes is wide-ranging from pink, red, orange, yellow, green, and even purple in colour. There are tall (indeterminate) and bush (determinate) varieties that produce two-pound giant tomatoes and small cherry ones. The choices are endless. Pear-shaped, roma-type tomatoes are usually very meaty and excellent for canning and sauces; the rounder and cherry types are most often used raw or in baked dishes.
Tomatoes thrive on three things – warmth, plenty of sunlight, and even, steady supply of moisture. Tomatoes prefer a light, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. Use a granular or water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium or potash. Avoid excessive use of nitrogen as it reduces yields. Apply mulch around the base of the plants to protect against soil borne diseases and help conserve soil moisture. Water the soil around the plant rather than showering down over the plants.
Tomatoes are sensitive to nearby plants so companion planting is important. Beneficial companion plants include beans, carrots, celery, collards, cucumber, garlic, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley, and peppers. Basil and chives are also excellent companion plants because they improve growth, health, and flavour of the tomatoes. Do not plant tomatoes near dill or Brassicas (i.e. cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, etc) because they are known to stunt tomato growth. Furthermore, planting tomatoes with corn, or potatoes is ill-advised because they can contaminate each other.
| Nutrition | Valuable for vitamins A, C and E, potassium, phosphorus and iron. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant which may help prevent prostate cancer and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases. One beefsteak tomato contains about 60 calories; one large tomato contains 50 calories; one medium tomato contains 35 calories; small tomato contains 25 calories and one cherry tomato contains 5 calories. |
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| Harvesting | Tomatoes are ready to be harvested when they pull easily from the vines. If you have to tug or pull, the tomato is not ready. When the season is nearing the end, you can pinch off vine tips and any flower clusters to quicken ripening of green fruit. Wrap green tomatoes in newspapers or put in a paper bag and store in a cool, dark place until they ripen. Remember to destroy tomato vines at the end of the season to prevent disease and pests from overwintering. |
| Storing | Store, unwashed, at room temperature, stem end down. Do not refrigerate tomatoes, unless they are overripe. Cold temperatures destroy the fresh tomato flavour, texture and aroma. Unwrapped ripe tomatoes can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days. |
Varieties Listing
This old fashioned favourite produces good yields of extremely large 1 – 2 lbs (454 – 900 grams) meaty tomatoes. Beefsteak tomatoes are bright red, solid, juicy, flavourful and ideal for slicing. This indeterminate vine needs to be staked or supported.
These delectable round tomatoes have a purple-black colour with an irresistible sweet, yet rich flavour. Black Cherry is a tall and vigorous plant with large vines producing abundant crops of exceptional 1″ (2.5 cm) fruits. They make a beautiful addition mixed with other cherry tomatoes in the garden as well as in salads.
Originally introduced from Irkutsk, Siberia Russia, Black Prince is one of the most popular and sought after black heirloom tomatoes. It is regarded as a true northern variety and has excellent growing qualities suited for cooler climates. This medium sized tomato is said to have considerable health benefits beyond the presence of lycopene. The 2-1/2… Read more »
Candyland Tomato is a currant type of tomato – smaller than cherry-type. This national All American Selections (AAS) award-winner has very high yields of tiny, dark red fruit. The very sweet flavourful fruit, measuring 0.5″ (1 cm) can be enjoyed throughout the season. The tomato plant has a compact and tidy habit with branched trusses… Read more »
Celebrity is the 1984 All-American Selections (AAS) award winner and rated as one of the best-tasting tomatoes. It is a reliable producer of large, meaty fruit that can grow in a wide range of conditions due to its multiple disease-resistance. This is a great, easy to grow, and dependable choice for any of your tomato… Read more »
Early Girl is a proven variety and known for delicious and early tomatoes. The firm bright red fruit is 4 – 6 ounces (113 – 170 gr) and globe-shaped. This perfect slicing tomato has excellent colour, texture, and flavour. Early Girl is a great variety for farmer’s markets. It is vigorous and produces continuously throughout… Read more »
Green Grapes is a favourite amongst chefs, home gardeners, and specialty market growers. This old fashioned heirloom has distinctive, 1” (2.5 cm), yellowish-green fruits hang in clusters like large Muscat grapes. The soft, fleshy fruit has a delicious yet unusual sweet flavour. Many tomato connoisseurs feel Green Grapes has superior flavour than its big sister,… Read more »
La Roma is a hybrid determinate bush variety that produces exceptionally early yields of 3 – 4 ounce (85 – 113 gr) fruit. This tasty, bright red tomato is plum-shaped with thick walls and very few seeds in the flesh. La Roma is a paste-type of tomato that is suitable for canning or for sauces…. Read more »
Lemon Boy is an eye-catching hybrid with brilliant colour and delightful taste. The meaty, 6 oz fruit is an excellent choice for slicing. This indeterminate type produces bright, lemon-coloured tomatoes that grow on tall vines.
Little Bing is a determinate tomato plant with a compact and tidy habit. It is a perfect patio plant and has pretty green leaves. Fruit sets and ripens over a period of a few weeks, allowing harvest of many tomatoes at one time. Little Bing has high yields of flavourful, red cherry-size tomatoes. They’re perfect for… Read more »
This classic old-time heirloom tomato was developed in the early 1930s in Logan, West Virginia by M.C. “Radiator Charlie” Byles, a radiator repairman. Without any formal experience in plant breeding, he made a successful cross of four of the largest tomatoes – German Johnson, Beefsteak, an Italian variety, and an English variety. In the 1940s,… Read more »
Patio Tomato is perfect for small gardens or container growing. These compact determinate tomato plants bear 4 oz (113 gr) slicing-type tomatoes. The dark green bushy plant has potato leaf foliage. Staking recommended for support.
An early red cherry variety that is sweet, juicy with a unique rich tomato taste. The bright red 3/4 – 1” (2 – 3 cm) fruit is firm and does not crack. The sweet and flavourful tomatoes are perfect for snacking and salads. A single indeterminate plant produces fruit in clusters all summer.
Heirloom Tuscan favourite. San Marzano, a variety of plum tomatoes, is considered by many gourmet chefs to be the best sauce tomatoes in the world. Compact and prolific producer of bright orange-red, 2” – 3” (5 -7.5 cm) long fruit. This 8oz (227gr) paste tomato with pointy end is great for tomato paste or canning…. Read more »
Sugar Gloss is your new go-to cherry tomato variety. Unlike most vine type tomatoes, Sugar Gloss has double trusses which produce an abundance of bright cherry red fruit. This thin-skinned tomato has a 12% BRIX rating meaning that each 0.75 oz (21 gr) tomato is bursting with sweetness and flavour.
The award-winning, Sungold tomato is one of the most sought after and premier varieties of cherry tomatoes. The juicy tomatoes grow in bountiful clusters on vigorous vines throughout the summer. The fruit bears early and ripens to a golden tangerine colour with a rich, sweet, tropical fruity taste. Exceptionally high sugar content.
Super Fantastic is well suited for the West Coast climate. The vigorous vines produce solid and meaty 10 oz (283 gr) dark red tomatoes with smooth skin. The sweet and juicy tomatoes are perfect for salads, sandwiches, soup, canning, and drying. Good disease resistance. This indeterminate plant produces high yields all summer.
Sweet ‘n’ Neat is an extra compact type of tomato suited for small containers or even a kitchen window sill. The very neat, dwarf plants bear masses of cherry-sized fruit on a strong upright plant. Its compact branching habit also makes it a perfect choice for mixed flower, vegetable planters or open ground. The small… Read more »
Sweet 100 is a unique hybrid that yields an abundance of 1” (2.5 cm) in diameter round, bright red, sweet cherries on vigorous vines. The super sugary sweet fruit is perfect for snacking and salads. Good disease resistance. A single indeterminate plant continues to produce hundreds of fruit in large clusters all summer until frost.
Sweet Hearts produce incredible yields of full long clusters of small oval grape-type tomatoes that have a meaty texture and sweet flavour. The fruit of this indeterminate plant is brilliant red, very firm and very tolerant to cracking. Good shelf life. Fusarium tolerant.
Sweet Million, an improved, disease tolerant version of Sweet 100, is easy to grow. This prolific yielder sets clusters with 20 – 30 deep red fruits. It produces exceptionally sweet 1” (2.5 cm) round fruit with a good shelf life. Early maturity and good crack tolerance.
The perfect early tomato for hanging baskets and containers. Tumbler is an extremely early hybrid that boasts a graceful, cascading plant habit. It produces up to 6 lbs (2.7 Kg) of bright red, sweet cherry tomatoes. Fantastic flavour.
This heirloom-style beefsteak tomato is known for its early maturity and high yields in a short period of time. These compact, bushy plants have a determinate growth habit making them suitable for in-ground gardens or large container plantings with trellis support. WonderStar Red produces vibrant red fruit measuring 2.5 x 3.5 in. (6 x 9… Read more »
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