A Gardener’s Guide to Exceptional Tomato Varieties

For many gardeners, the spring season sparks excitement for fresh tomatoes. As summer progresses, these fruits fill the garden with lush growth. In late summer, the harvest in zone 7 gardens showcases why tomatoes remain a backyard favorite.

Understanding Tomatoes: Fruit or Vegetable?

Tomatoes are technically fruits, characterized by seeds within their edible part. Despite this, they are often treated as vegetables, alongside true vegetables like flowers, stems, leaves, and roots.

Exploring Tomato Varieties

Each year, trying a new tomato variety can lead to rewarding discoveries. Yet, some varieties consistently deliver exceptional taste and quality. They all need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily and 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.

Bull’s Hearts (or Oxhearts)

Bull’s Hearts, or Oxhearts, are prominent in many gardens. These large, meaty fruits were loved on visits to Italy’s Amalfi Coast (cuore di bue) and France (coeur de boeuf). These plants yield heart-shaped fruits with minimal seeds, ideal for salads, sandwiches, and sauces. Variations include pink, Russian, and Hungarian types, and they mature around 80 days post-planting.

Rutgers

Emerging in 1934, Rutgers tomatoes quickly became garden favorites. Bred by Rutgers University and Campbell Soup Company, these hybrid yet open-pollinated tomatoes can be replanted like heirlooms. Known as Jersey tomatoes, they are round, red, and weigh between 4 to 6 ounces, typically ready for harvest in about 75 days.

Big Boys

Introduced by Burpee Seed Company in 1949, Big Boys resemble standard supermarket tomatoes but offer superior taste. These hybrids produce 10- to 12-ounce tomatoes about 78 days after planting, known for their excellent flavor.

Sungold Cherry Tomatoes

Sungold cherry tomatoes enjoy a cult following, offering a sweet, low-acid flavor. Though prone to splitting and not common in stores, these orange tomatoes can usually be found at farmers’ markets. They mature in clusters about 60-65 days after planting, perfect for salads and snacks.

Brandywines

Dating back to the late 1800s, Brandywines are large, juicy heirloom tomatoes. Their potato-like foliage produces 6- to 7-inch fruits that can weigh up to a pound, perfect for sandwich slices. Pink-fruited varieties are also available.

Jessica Damiano is a columnist for The Associated Press, providing regular gardening insights. She offers the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. Sign up to receive gardening tips and advice.

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