from Brandywine to Cherokee Purple

I love tomatoes. My personal favorite part of having a summer garden would have to be the tomatoes. Flavorful and robust, the garden tomato is far different than those cardboard imitations you buy at the grocery store. Firstly, you have a variety of types of tomatoes to choose from. The most common variety is the Better Boy tomato, or some divergence of this breed. They are a very good all around tomato, good to slice for sandwiches, O.K. at making sauces, ect. This tomato, however, is not great at any one selected use. Rather, it is often grown because of its versatility. As compared to other tomatoes the flavor is mild, with a moderate amount of juice and a stiffer texture. It is also easier to grow, and the fruits have a longer shelf life than many other varieties of tomato. My personal favorite type of tomato is the Brandywine tomato. It is large and irregular in shape when compared to the Better Boy. It is a deep pink tomato, a bit more acidic than Better Boys. It is much juicer and meatier than Better Boys, and is much, MUCH more flavorful. Like the German Stripe, it does not have a very long shelf life. If picked ripe, maybe 3 days, maybe less. German Stripes are a yellow tomato with pink stripes, and an older breed than the Brandywine (The Brandywine was bred from the German Stripe). This tomato is much more acidic than the Brandywine, and has a less firm texture than the Brandywine. It also has a very short shelf life, and when I have grown them I have trouble picking them before they rot... which they tend to do on the vine. These tomatoes are also massive, which creates a problem in plant support. They get to be the size of Beef Steak or Beef Master tomatoes, but have a much more distinct flavor and texture. Beef Steak and Beef Masters are much the same. Years ago I use to get Beef Steak tomatoes and plant them, however it seems they have been replaced with the Beef Master. The Beef Master is a much easier plant to manage, and is not as susceptible to fungi. However, they do not produce as much fruit as the Beef Steaks. These tomatoes are truly massive, but like the Brandywine, and divine on a sandwich. Other breeds of tomato Grape, Cherry, Roma, ect. Grape and Cherry tomatoes are pretty much just for salads, and one of two of these plants will produce more tomatoes than you could ever use, so I would not buy a whole flat of them. Roma tomatoes are very good for juices, or as small slicers for salads or canning. The Cherokee Purple tomato is another old breed of tomato. The texture is much like a Brandywine combined with a Better Boy. The color is, you guessed it, purple. Medium size fruits which often only ripen on their bottom half. Like the Brandywine and German Stripe, it is an heirloom tomato, so it may be harder to find at times.

As far as dirt, tomatoes like a slightly acidic soil... around a pH of 6 - 6.5. They also like composted organic matter and dark soil. When watering, it is best not to get water on the leaves and just water around the base. Watering the leaves causes the vines to sprout roots... which takes energy away from growing delicious fruit. Tomatoes love full sun, hot climates and warm soil. They should be watered very well once daily in the evening. If you water earlier two things happen. 1 : Your water evaporates from the soil and your plant doesn't get as much, and 2: The resulting water vapor can literally steam cook and wilt your plants. Tomatoes, as well as most plants, tend to drink more at night anyhow. Be sure the soil stays moist but not wet. The dirt should always be dark around the roots, even if the surface of your garden is dry and cracked. Do not over water.

Most varieties of tomato plants take from 90-120 days to mature, and should be tied up as they grow. This can be done via tomato cages or stakes. This can be very labor intensive and time consuming so take this into consideration before planting. I have planted over 200 at a time before... and this is overwhelming for one person. Plants should be planted about 18- 24'' apart depending on variety.

Complications with the plants often include fungus in moist conditions, wilt in dry conditions, and pests all around. Insects and Animals also find fresh garden tomatoes irresistible. A very common problem with tomatoes is cracked skin. This is because the tomatoes are growing too quickly. If you are using Miracle Grow and this is happening, Stop Using It. If you are using compost and this is happening, Add Calcium.

P.S.- Green Tomatoes are actually slightly toxic, so consume them in small amounts. Over consumption can cause upset stomach and diarrhea.