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Comparing Heirloom Tomato Varieties Growth Characteristics

Comparing Heirloom Tomato Varieties Growth Characteristics
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Every spring I sell heirloom tomato plants at the farmers’ markets and I’m always trying to organize the information in a way that is not so overwhelming for people.  Based on the questions I have received over the years, I’ve put together a chart that is about comparing heirloom tomato varieties against each other.

Of course there are many varieties that do not show up in these charts. These varieties are the most popular varieties for certain growth characteristics. Another way to compare heirloom tomato varieties is by flavor according to color.

Red globe heirloom tomatoes
Red globe heirloom tomatoes
Comparison of easy to grow heirloom tomatoes
Comparison of easy to grow heirloom tomatoes
Comparison of bi-colored heirloom tomatoes
Comparison of bi-colored heirloom tomatoes
Comparison of heirloom black tomatoes
Comparison of heirloom black tomatoes
Comparison of orange heirloom tomatoes
Comparison of orange heirloom tomatoes

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Priscilla Alessandro

Monday 14th of August 2023

I am searching for a high acid tomato that I remember from my childhood. Lots less sweet Suggestions please

Dorothy Stainbrook

Tuesday 15th of August 2023

Well, my favorite high acid one is called Druzba…..it’s a Czechoslovakian heirloom. Box Car Willi and Mortgage Lifter might be options. Basically stick with the bright red heirlooms as they tend to have more acid.

Inge sinclair

Saturday 24th of July 2021

Marvelous it helped me a great deal to see it written compared to trying to remember what goes with what.companys should do this

Lisa Sharpe

Thursday 17th of September 2020

Very helpful charts on tomatoes that are not as commonly grown. So thanks for that. Would you be willing to expand the charts to include some info about disease resistance? Thanks!

dorothy stainbrook

Friday 18th of September 2020

Thank you for the comment Lisa, it helps me know what is missing for people. That’s a good idea and I am more than willing to expand the charts. I won’t be able to get to it until next Spring when I start ordering specific varieties and culling the ones I currently grow. I will definitely make note to add more of that information to the charts! In the meantime, here is the post that I have related to disease. It’s mainly during the seedling stage, but that is the most critical time for the plants (now the soil related disease is a different story). Here is the link: https://farmtojar.com/signs-and-solutions-of-nutritional-deficiencies-in-heirloom-tomato-seedlings/

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[...] market.  For more specific information on size, growth habit, flavor, and disease resistance see this post which gives more in-depth information (*note that the previous post is for 2012 varieties, so a [...]

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