A Guide to Growing Your Favorite Tomatoes

Tomato season holds a special place for many gardening enthusiasts. The excitement begins in spring with the anticipation of enjoying juicy, flavorful tomatoes, leading gardeners to plant more seeds than planned. By midsummer, the sight of growing tomatoes on aromatic vines brings motivation. By late summer, the harvest in zone 7 gardens highlights why tomatoes are a top backyard vegetable choice.

Although tomatoes are technically fruits, since they contain seeds, they are commonly referred to as vegetables. Despite their classification, they are a favorite for many home gardeners.

Exploring Tomato Varieties

Each year, trying new tomato varieties is part of the gardening journey. However, certain tried-and-true varieties often remain favorites. These types typically need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily and about 1 to 1 ½ inches of water weekly.

Bull’s Hearts (Oxhearts)

Bull’s Hearts are a staple in many raised gardens. Known as ‘cuore di bue’ in Italy and ‘coeur de boeuf’ in France, these tomatoes are large, meaty, and fragrant. They are heart-shaped and have minimal seeds, making them great for salads, sandwiches, and sauces. Variations include pink, Russian, and Hungarian types.

Expect to harvest these heirloom or hybrid varieties around 80 days post-planting.

Rutgers

Introduced in 1934, Rutgers tomatoes quickly became a garden favorite. Resulting from a collaboration between Rutgers University and the Campbell Soup Company, these open-pollinated hybrids can have their seeds saved for future planting. Known as Jersey tomatoes, they are bright red, weighing 4-6 ounces each, and are ideal for sandwiches and salads; harvest occurs approximately 75 days after planting.

Big Boys

Introduced in 1949 by the Burpee Seed Company, Big Boys may resemble common supermarket tomatoes, but their taste is remarkable. Highly productive, these beefsteak hybrids produce 10-12 ounce aromatic tomatoes beginning about 78 days after planting.

Sungold Cherry Tomatoes

Sungold cherry tomatoes have gained a dedicated following. Due to their tendency to split, they are uncommon in grocery stores. Growers must cultivate them to experience their candy-sweet, low-acid flavor. Plants produce clusters of orange tomatoes, each about an inch wide, suitable for salads or snacking straight from the vine. They are ready for harvest in about 60-65 days.

Brandywines

Brandywine tomatoes are heirloom beefsteaks dating back to the late 1800s. The plants feature potato-like foliage, producing pinkish-red fruits up to a pound each. These tomatoes provide perfectly sized sandwich slices. Available types include pink-fruited varieties.

Author Information: Jessica Damiano writes regular gardening columns for The Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter, providing weekly gardening tips.

For additional gardening stories, visit the AP gardening hub at AP Gardening.