Tasty Tomatos of Spring

This year I have planted some heirloom varieties of tomato plants. These are not the "mass produced" commercial plants that are sold in Walmart or K-mart or the other typical box stores. Heirloom plants are those that help to introduce genetic diversity into the overall picture. The first one I would like to introduce is the Red Currant. This is a South American species that can produce huge branches of tiny, round fruit on vigorous plants. These are sweet little bites, only 0.5-0.7 inches in diameter, with intense tomato flavor. They are indeterminate and start producing in 60-70 days. They so far (fingers crossed) seem to be disease resistant. Living in the south (Flroida) I typically get various wilts and other diseases. But this year has been so dry that the hardest part of container plant growing is keeping them moist enough. I like growing my own tomatos because I can control what, if any, chemicals are used. Also I can pick the ripe fruit only moments before sitting down to the table to eat. There is nothing better than the fresh taste of a tomato right off the vine.

So has anyone else planted this variety and if so, what is your experience? What about other heirloom tomato plants? Anyone else enjoy a fresh burst of flavor right off the plant?

Comments: 9

anna A. May 29, 2007, 6:51am EDT

interesting

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Susan *Brian's girl * H. May 29, 2007, 9:05am EDT

I am terrible about picking cherry tomatoes right off the plant and washing them with the hose. They never even make it into the house before I eat them.

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elizabeth e. May 29, 2007, 12:59pm EDT

Where do you buy your heirloom tomatoes? Like Susan, I, too am an eater...whether it be tomatoes, strawberries or blueberries...don't even wash them with a hose!

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Μόףףý ● ķ ~ May 29, 2007, 1:02pm EDT

We grow black heirlooms. They are delicious, kinda ugly and very sweet. We save the seeds to grow them again the next year. Once they are ripe they go bad quickly if you don't consume them right away.

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David A. May 29, 2007, 1:02pm EDT

We have a nice place here in Tallahassee called "Native Nurseries" that offer a great variety of plants, vegetables, trees, etc.. which are great for our part of the world. I have been told (but do not have a link) that internet seeds for heirloom tomatos exist.

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j - Frugal Mom - r. May 29, 2007, 6:00pm EDT

Thanks for sharing this David. I love growing my own vegetables, but I am also very concerned that all of the seeds that I am getting have been genetically modified.

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Jane B. May 29, 2007, 8:44pm EDT

I have planted what I believe is the usual gardener's tomato plant in Indiana: Big Boy. I have tried with poor results each year in my back yard, but not enough sun, or if I move the plants to the sun, some animal takes a big bite when the fruit is about ripe. This year I put in four little Big Boys in a small patch in my church garden, about a block from my home. There is water available if needed and more dependable sun.

In the past I have sought for Beef Steak, which can yield nice large juicy, tomatoes. I've never tried to grow the little cherry or grape tomatoes. David's South American type sounds tasty.
JaneB May 29, 2007 7:45 pm

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Aaron Lazar, (author of LeGarde Mysteries) May 30, 2007, 8:02am EDT

Wonderful article, I found you through Bob (Elizabeth's) article. If you would be willing, join my new group called The Barefoot Gardener and post this aritcle to it! Maybe we should consider starting a seed exchange group. I used to grow my dad's tomatoes - seeds saved from a huge paste variety - but life got in the way, sadly, and I fell down on the job. I'd like to start again - with some cool heirlooms. I'll search today in the garden center where I know they feature heirlooms. Thanks for a great article!

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Kathleen P. May 30, 2007, 10:36am EDT

I too confess to eating tomatoes standing in front of the vine. I live pretty far North and have resorted to Earth Boxes to grow great tomatoes. (Jane from Indiana should try these, I keep them on my deck and can avoid most critters - except the raccoons. You do have some work to get them set up right, but after that all you do all summer is add water. No weeds, no chemicals). I have to say I'm thrilled with them. I grow four heirloom varieties (Black from Tula, Purple Cherokee, Golden Boy and Hillbilly Potato Leaf) plus my favorite yellow plum tomatoes and the newer "grape" tomatoes. I can start the tomatoes inside in February (or buy them already started if I'm late) have them outdoors before memorial day, and enjoy eating them by the 4th of July. When I do actually manage to get them indoors before eating them, I add fresh basil, a dash of olive oil, a dash of balsamic vinegar and some fresh mozzarella if I have it. I could eat this three times a day, all summer long.

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Tasty Tomatos of Spring

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