Tomatoes
The cornerstone of the vegetable garden. The early plantings require season extension materials, but all plantings benefit from them!
Spacing
On 30” beds, 1 row of Tomatoes can be planted with 18” spacing
On 4’ beds, 2 rows of tomatoes can be planted diagonally, with 18” spacing
Pests & Diseases
Tomato hornworms can be an issue, though parasitic wasps typically take care of them. An application of OMRI- Approved Pyganic or Dipel for infestations will control if necessary.
Diseases are the true enemy to tomatoes. If the season is moist, diseases thrive. There are two ways of dealing with these diseases: preemptively and reactively. To take down the problem before it occurs, weekly applications of Serenade, a biological based organic fungicide can be sprayed, starting at flowering. If disease is already threatening, Champ WG, a copper based organic fungicide can be sprayed.
Trellis and Support
Tomatoes get big. Tomato cages are not enough. I like growing the tomatoes in cages, then training the branches up a string trellis. Check the Trellis and Support page for more information.
Spacing
On 30” beds, 1 row of Tomatoes can be planted with 18” spacing
On 4’ beds, 2 rows of tomatoes can be planted diagonally, with 18” spacing
- Larger tomatoes yield about 20- 30# a plant over the entire harvest season. Cherry Tomatoes typically yield about a pint a week.
- Brandywines produce about 2 fruits per week
Pests & Diseases
Tomato hornworms can be an issue, though parasitic wasps typically take care of them. An application of OMRI- Approved Pyganic or Dipel for infestations will control if necessary.
Diseases are the true enemy to tomatoes. If the season is moist, diseases thrive. There are two ways of dealing with these diseases: preemptively and reactively. To take down the problem before it occurs, weekly applications of Serenade, a biological based organic fungicide can be sprayed, starting at flowering. If disease is already threatening, Champ WG, a copper based organic fungicide can be sprayed.
Trellis and Support
Tomatoes get big. Tomato cages are not enough. I like growing the tomatoes in cages, then training the branches up a string trellis. Check the Trellis and Support page for more information.
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Amish Paste Tomato
$1.50 / Plant 85 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 5/2 (7/26), 5/16 (8/9) *Season Extension Required “A long-time favorite heirloom plum. Large for a sauce tomato, Amish Paste's slightly irregular plum-to strawberry shaped fruits avg. 8-12 oz. with excellent flavor. These meaty tomatoes are good in salads and great for processing. A Slow Food USA Ark of Taste variety.” |
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Brandywine Tomato
$1.50 / Plant 78 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 5/2 (7/19), 5/16 (8/2) “One of the best-tasting tomatoes. We describe Brandywine's luscious, heirloom flavor as "very rich, loud, and distinctively spicy." The large fruits, often over 1 lb., have a deep pink skin and smooth red flesh.” |
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Celebrity Tomato
$1.50 / Plant 72 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 5/2 (7/13), 5/16 (7/27) “Medium-large, 7-8 oz., flavorful, globe-shaped, firm red fruits ripen midseason. “ |
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Sungold Tomato
$1.50 / Plant 57 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 5/2 (6/28), 5/16 (7/12) “Intense fruity flavor. Exceptionally sweet, bright tangerine-orange cherry tomatoes leave customers begging for more. Vigorous plants start yielding early and bear right through the season. Tendency to split. Taste can't be beat. 15-20 gm. fruits.” |
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Valencia Tomato
$1.50 / Plant 76 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 5/2 (7/17), 5/16 (7/31) *Season Extension Required “Sunny orange fruits with full tomato flavor. Round, smooth fruits average 8-10 oz. Their meaty interiors have few seeds. This midseason tomato is among the best for flavor and texture.” |
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Sakura Cherry Tomato
$1.50 / Plant 60 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest):5/2 (6/26), 5/16 (7/10) “Early, delicious, attractive cherry tomatoes. Real sweet tomato flavor and firmness without being hard. Among the first to ripen, Sakura keeps going all season long because of its disease resistance. Very tidy, compact plant fits well in tight spaces. Prolific yielder of bright red, shiny, medium-large cherry tomatoes that average 20–22 gm.” |
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Valentine Grape Tomato
$3.00 / Plant 55 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 5/2 (6/26), 5/16 (7/10) “Delicious high-lycopene grape. Massive early yields, deep red color, and unusually rich flavor. Developed in collaboration with Dr. Majid Foolad of Penn State University, Valentine marries the best of wild-type tomato genetics with flavorful high-performing strains. This vivid red, high-yielding, and early blight-resistant tomato is the first commercial variety developed with Penn State's patented high-lycopene breeding lines.” |