February 28, 2023

Tomato Varieties Available at Tonkadale this Spring!

Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants in the veggie garden. A little knowledge goes a long way. We have an amazing blog post all about growing tomatoes linked here!

Let's go over a few definitions before we get into the yummy varieties we are growing in the greenhouse this year.

Determinate tomato varieties will typically grow to 3 to 5 feet tall, then stop. Although they do not grow as tall as their indeterminate counterparts, they still benefit from staking or caging to increase air flow, prevent disease, and support heavy fruit. Determinate varieties flower and fruit during a determinate amount of time, about 3-4 weeks. Because of the heavy onset of fruit, this makes determinate tomatoes a great choice for canning and preserving. If you’re short on space, determinate varieties are the best choice for container gardening.

Indeterminate tomato varieties produce tall plants with rambling vines and will need to be staked or braced with a tomato cage or stake to hold the plant off the ground. They flower and produce fruit more gradually and over a longer period during the season.

Hybrid tomatoes are created when a plant breeder or home gardener intentionally cross-pollinates two different tomato varieties. The resulting offspring is a hybrid plant which is selected for the best traits of each parent plant. Hybrid tomatoes are often very hardy, disease resistant, and have a consistent shape and size.

Heirloom tomatoes are plants that are passed down through generations of gardeners and are at least 50 years old (number of years is highly debated). Heirlooms have been selectively grown, and seed passed down through generations based on certain characteristics or traits that are best suited for their growing region, taste, habit, size, and form. They are not intentionally crossed with other tomatoes to attain these traits. Heirloom varieties generally have more flavor, interesting colors, and shapes, but are less disease resistant.

Days to Harvest

For seeds started indoors and transplanted into the garden, days to harvest is calculated from the date transplanted into the garden to the day(s) the variety should mature and may be harvested.

Disease Resistance

Diseases that affect tomatoes are coded by letters. When selecting a tomato variety, these letters will indicate which diseases that variety is resistant to. The best way to prevent disease is to rotate tomato crops each year and to practice good cultural practices such as keeping weeds under control, watering in the morning to avoiding getting leaves wet, pruning out diseased foliage, and treating with fungicides when applicable.

Code	Disease	Description
A or ASC	Alternaria Stem Canker	This fungus shows up as brown or blank cankers that attack tomato stems, leaves, and fruit, often accompanied by streaks. Left unchecked, cankers can spread across the entire plant and kill it before harvest.
A	Anthracnose	This disease mainly affect tomato fruits. Lesions appear on leaves and gradually create a yellowish circular spot. Black, suncken water-soaked round spots appear on fruits. Flourishes in high moisture and humid weather.
EB	Early Blight	Small, dark spots appear on lower leaves. Larger spots create concentric rings and finally the leaves fall off. Brown, sunken spots girdle the plant stems just above the soil line.
F	Fusarium Wilt	The first signs of Fusarium are yellowing and wilting on one side of the plant—a leaf, single shoot, branch or several branches. Yellowing and wilting move up the plant as the fungus spreads, clogging water conducting tissue in the stem and affectively starving the plant. Left unchecked, fusarium wilt can kill tomato plants well before harvest time. Unfortunately, some fusarium fungi have overcome the initial “F” resistance attributes in designated tomatoes. Today, newer cultivars have been bred to be resistant to secondary fusarium strains—hence the “FF” and “FFF” designations.
FF	Fusarium, Races 1 and 2	see above
FFF	Fusarium Wilt 1, 2, and 3	see above
LB	Late Blight	Dark brown blotches on leaves turn into dry, brown foliage. Lesions may also appear on stems and fruit.
N	Nematodes	Nematodes are parasitic round worms that often lie dormant in the soil. Nematodes can produce root galls on the plant up to an inch wide. Affected plants are weak, stunted, do not respond to fertilizer, and tend to wilt.
T	Tobacco Mosaic Virus	TMV causes mottling and yellowing of leaves, resulting in reduced size and yield and also turns fruit brown.
SWV	Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus	Symptoms may vary from plant to plant, but can include yellow and brown rings on stems, brown streaks on plant stems, dead leaf spots and tips, and severely stunted growth. Fruit may be discolored at maturity.
V	Verticillium Wilt	This fungus works its way up through the plant’s roots, clogging water-conducting tissue in the stem. They spread a toxin that wilts leaves and prevents water from reaching branches and leaves, starving the plant. Yellow spots appear on lower leaves, followed by brown veins. Leaves then turn brown and fall off. Infection pattern often resembles a V-shape.

Now on to the good part. With 30 varieties to choose, how can you pick just one?

Abigail

Everything we love about heirlooms but hybridized with improved fruit quality and disease resisitance in a manageble size. Reduced cracking and scarring. Introduced in 2020. Fresh, salads, canning.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	10-16 oz	Pink	75	LB

Beefmaster

This mouth-watering giant red tomato is not only huge but very heavy-bearing, yielding large quantities of tomatoes up to 2lbs. each. Salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, soups, and sauces.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	18-24 oz	Red	80	VFNASt

Big Boy

An old time favorite with large globe-shaped fruit. Dark scarlet red fruit with thick walls and great flavor. Perfect base for many cooked dishes and superb on sandwiches. Also used for salads, soups, pickling.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	12-24 oz	Red	80	VFT

Big Rainbow

Stunning shades of gold to scarlet and everything in between make this heirloom variety truly stand out. Rich balance of acids and sugars gives it an old-fashioned tomato taste.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	12-24 oz	Yellow-Orange	90	Natrual

Black Brandywine

Selected in the late 1920's, this potato leaf heirloom is extra large in size and full of deep, earthy, smokey and sweet flavors. Amazing in salsa or gazpacho. Due to its fleshy, juicy nature, this tomato cooks down excellently for tomoato sauce, jam, and is great for stewing. Also a great slicing tomato for salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Holds up to canning and freezing, but does not have a long shelf life so eat them or process soon after harvest.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	18-24 oz	Purpleish-Red, Almost Black	80-90	Natrual

Brad's Atomic Grape

Elongated, large, cherry-type tomatoes in clusters. Crack-resistant fruit is extraordinarily sweet! Eat fresh, in salads, or freeze for later use.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	1-2 oz	Purple, Green, and Brown Stripes on Green Fruit	75	Natrual

Brandywine

A favorite potato-leaved heirloom tomato variety. Incredibly rich, delightfully intense tomato flavor. One of the most popular home garden cultivars in the United States. Eat fresh, on sandwiches, or in salads.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	18-24 oz	Pink	80	Natrual

Celebrity

A vigorous high yielding tomato with firm, flavorful fruit. An all-purpose variety with crack resistantence. AAS Winner. Soups, canning, salsa.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Determinate	Hybrid	7 oz	Red	70	VFFNTASt

Cherokee Purple

An old Cherokee Indian heirloom variety, pre-1890. Beautiful, deep, dusky purple-pink color. Superb, sweet flavor, and very large-sized fruit. Try this one for real old-time tomato flavor. Use for cooking, sandwiches, soups.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	6-12 oz	Purple	80	Natural

Defiant

Globe-shaped fruits are smooth and medium-firm with good texture. High-yielding, medium-sized plants are widely adaptable. A mid-sized slicer.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Determinate	Hybrid	6-8 oz	Red	65	FLBVEB

Dester

Beef-steak type with rich flavor. Eat fresh or use for canning.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	1-1.5 lbs	Pink	75	Natural

Early Girl

One of the earliest tomatoes available! Medium, globe-type popular for its ease of growth. Just a tasty tomato. Salads, hot dish, pasta.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	4-6 oz	Red	55	VFF

Golden Jubilee

Mild flavor and low acidity make this tomato one of the best for tomato juice. Hello Bloody Mary! Flavor is delicate, sweet, and mild. Thick walls, meaty texture. High in vitamin C.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	8-12 oz	Golden Yellow	75-80	Natural

Midnight Snack

Unique indigo-type cherry tomato ripens to red with beautiful glossy black-purple overlay when exposed to sunlight. Packed with antioxidants and a well-balanced flavor. 2017 All-America Selections Winner. Salads, snacking.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	.5-1.5 oz	Dark Purple	65-70	Natural

Mortgage Lifter

Large, slightly flattened, pink-red fruits. Very meaty, extremely flavorful, and has few seeds. Typically crack-free. Cooking, sandwiches, salads.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	1-3 lbs	Red	80	VFN

Paul Robeson

This famous tomato has a cult following among seed collectors and tomato connoisseurs, who simply cannot get enough of this variety’s amazing flavor that is so distinctive, sweet, and smoky. 10-oz fruit is a red-brick color. Paul Robeson, an American, was also a Russian Equal Rights Advocate for Blacks. This Russian variety was lovingly named in his honor.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	6-12 oz	Bright-Red W/ Green Shoulders	80-90	Natural

Purple Boy

This new variety combines all the flavor of the heirlooom Cherokee Purple with the improved disease resistance of an hybrid. Slightly rigid and symmetrical, this tomato is an excellent combination of juiciness and tang. Perfect for summer slicing. Purple color is the result of the plant pigment anthocyanin which has many health benefits.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	6-7 oz	Deep Violet	80	VTMVNF

Red Grape

12-16 crack-resistant fruits per cluster. It's just too tempting to pop the sun-warmed, super-sweet fruits right into your mouth, fresh off the plant. Fresh, salads, pasta.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Semi-determinate	Hybrid	1 oz	Red	75	Good

Roma

This tomato is a meaty plum type with few seeds. While Roma is an open-pollinated variety, it is generally not considered an heirloom tomato. A top choice for salsa and tomato sauce.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Determinate	Hybrid	1-2 oz	Red	80	VFNA

San Marzano

The ultimate paste tomato! 3½ inch long tapered fruits in clusters of five or six. Gives superior flavors when cooked. Prolific and will produce until the first hard frost. Pastes, sauce, Italian cooking.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	5-8 oz	Red	80	Natural

Snow White

An intriguing cherry type tomato. Sweet and juicy without being sugary, notes of citrus and pineapple. Fresh, salad, veggie tray.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	1-2 oz	Ivory-Cream	75	Natural

Striped German

These flat, medium to large, variably ribbed-shoulder tomatoes are shaded yellow and red. The marbled interior looks beautiful when sliced. Complex, fruity flavor and smooth texture. Sandwiches, cooking, salads

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Heirloom	12 oz	Red-Yellow	75	Natural

Sun Gold

Bright tangerine-orange cherry tomatoes that produce an exceptionally sweet, almost tropical flavor. Vigorous plants start yielding early and produce right through the season. Salads, veggie trays, pasta, snacking.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	1 oz	Golden-Yellow	65	VFTMV

Super Fantastic

A large, early to mature variety that will be the star of the show on sandwiches and salads. Great for canning, grilling, and sauce. The perfect combination of sweetness and acidity.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	10 oz	Bright Red	70	VFN

Sweet 100 Cherry

Small, sweet cherry-like fruit are produced in large clusters. Delightful when eaten straight from the vine. Salads, veggie trays, soups

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	1 oz	Red	65	VF

Tidy Treats

A neat and tidy vareity great for tight spaces and containers. Prolific producer all season long. Eat fresh off the vine, in salads or add to a veggie tray at your summer celebration.

Determinate Indeterminate	Origin	Fruit Size	Color	Days to Harvest	Disease Resistance
Indeterminate	Hybrid	.5-1 oz	Red	50-55	V