Tomatoes

Standard Bush Tomatoes: Heinz ($3.50) – 72 days, old open pollinated variety developed for canning and process industry.  It produces a strong determinate, productive, wilt tolerant plants.  A good mid-season variety that produces large, firm, globular, red fruits that grow to about 16oz / 170g.  Fine taste.

Heirloom & Unusual tomatoes: Red Currant ($3.50) – 68 days, organic, tiny little fruits with intense sweet flavor.  It is an old tomato native to Mexico that produces currant sized fruits on clusters.

Burpees Longkeeper SOLD OUT($3.50) – 78 days, a golden orange – red variety suited for storing.  Under proper conditions they will keep from 6 – 12 weeks with fairly good flavor.  Longkeeper is medium red inside when ripe.

Pasta Types: Roma V.F.N ($3.50) – 80 days, one of the most popular paste tomatoes.  Roma produces high yields of 2 ½ “ long red, blocky pear – shaped tomatoes, very productive.  Determinate compact vines are strong and vigorous producing good cover.

Cherry Types: Red Pear ($3.50) – 65 days, organic, small fruited red salad type.  This variety bears and abundance of small 1 ½”, pear shaped red fruits which are used for salads and preserving.  Popular with children of all ages for fresh eating.

Tomatoes were unknown to the world until Spanish explorers returned from South America and introduced them to Spain in the 1500’s.  For many years tomatoes were thought to be poisonous.  It was not until the 1800’s that people started to consume them as a food product.  Since then the tomato has become the second most important vegetable crop, exceeded only by the potato.

(Tip) Tomato: Tomatoes are a warm season crop.  Best started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.  Soil – Tomatoes prefer deep, well – drained fertile loam, but will grow on most types of soil free from a hardpan.  PH 6 – 6.5.  Tomatoes need moderately high amounts of fertilizer throughout the growing season 1-2-1 ratio for most soils.  Regular yearly applications of rotted manure is beneficial.  Calcium and magnesium are usually needed where tomatoes were grown before.  Consistent watering reduces foliar and fruit problems.  Germination 5-10 days at 70-75F.  Keep in light to prevent stretching.  Transplant at ‘true 4 leaf stage’ into bigger containers.  Transplant out to 24” between plants, 6 feet between rows.  Use wider row spacing when you do not stake or prune the plants.  Tomatoes need steady moisture and fertilizer to keep stress and disease free and to produce large fruit.  Mulching helps to retain moisture and keep weeds down.