Heirloom tomatoes
By William Terry KelleyUniversity ofGeorgiaMost folks know that a store-bought tomato just doesn’t taste asgood as one you pick from your garden. That’s why tomatoes arethe most widely grown U.S. garden crop. But “new and improved”varieties don’t always impress the tomato connoisseur.The term “heirloom tomatoes” was coined a few years back. It’sused to describe the old-fashioned varieties many gardenersbelieve have the best flavor. So why are the newer varieties”improved.” Well, they resist some diseases that heirlooms don’t.Nevertheless, heirlooms are becoming popular. From red to yellowto chocolate to green, these tomatoes come in a variety ofvarieties. Some date back to the 1800s. Many come from Europe.Nearly all are indeterminate types that will keep growing andproducing all season and require extensive trellising.The basics of growing these varieties doesn’t differ much fromordinary tomatoes. Trellising and varieties are the only realdifferences. Plant spacing, fertility and planting dates will allbe the same as for any tomato.Heirloom samplerHere’s a sampler of some of the more popular heirloom varieties:”Brandywine” dates back to 1885. Itproduces pinkish red tomatoes from 1 to 1.5 pounds and matures in80 days.”Abraham Lincoln” matures in 77days. It’s a red variety dating to 1920, producing fruit from 6to 10 ounces.”Mortgage Lifter” got its namebecause the man who developed it supposedly produced so muchfruit that he paid off his mortgage with the profit. It has pinkfruit that can get up to 2 pounds and matures in 85 days.”German Giant” can also reach 2pounds. It’s a deep pink and matures in 77 days.If you’re looking for a tomato of a different color, you may wantto try “Cherokee Purple,” whichoriginated in Tennessee. It has rose to purple skin, matures in80 days and weighs 10 to 12 ounces.Or how about “Mr. Stripey,” which isred, orange and yellow striped? It matures in only 56 days andhas fruit only 1 inch to 1.5 inches in diameter.Other varieties include “GreenZebra,” “Old German,” “Yellow Brandywine,” “Old Brooks,” “Thessaloniki,” “Arkansas Traveler” and “Giant Belgium.” Be careful how many youplant. Many of these varieties can produce as much as 15 poundsof fruit per plant.Planting tipsAs with all tomatoes, don’t plant them until the danger of frosthas passed. Tomatoes are best transplanted into the garden, too,rather than directly seeded. Many garden centers now carry plantsof these old-time varieties.Tomatoes must be grown in full sunlight in a well-drained area.Select a site where water is available for irrigation. The soilpH should be between 6.2 and 6.8.Good transplants are stocky and 8 to 10 inches tall. Cover therootball of the plant completely. Don’t be afraid to plant itdeep enough to cover the bottom leaves.Plant tomatoes 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 5 to 6 feet apart.Heirloom tomatoes are best trellised, using an overhead wirestretched between two solid posts no farther than 20 feet apart.Then tie twine from the wire down to the plants to support themand keep them off of the ground. You will likely have to removesuckers and prune these varieties to two main stems.Use about 1.3 pounds of 10-10-10 analysis fertilizer per 100square feet. Work this into the ground before planting.Side-dress the plants with the same fertilizer rate after aboutfour weeks and then again in another four to five weeks.The quest for the most flavorful tomato has begun. Will it comefrom your garden this year?(Terry Kelley is a Cooperative Extension horticulturist withthe University of Georgia College of Agricultural andEnvironmental Sciences.)