Friday, July 22

As Good As It Gets: Top 4 Tomatoes for Eating
Nothing says summer quite like the juicy goodness of homegrown tomatoes. Sliced for sandwiches or eaten alone, they are the star of any garden. While there are many popular varieties, these top four tomatoes rank as all time favorites for eating among Tennessee gardeners.
Brandywine
The Brandywine bears large fruit that can weigh more than 1.5 pounds. It is a pink heirloom tomato. As one of the slowest maturing plants, they can take 80-100 days to reach harvest. Although they are late producing, they are well worth the wait. The pinkish flesh is one of the tastiest tomatoes grown. The main disadvantage is that they can crack if they are rained on at the wrong time while ripening.
Beefsteak
Another large tomato that is worthy of distinction is the Beefsteak. A jar of mayonnaise and a loaf of bread beg for this tomato. These whoppers typically weigh over a pound at harvest. They are bright red with distinct “ribbing” around the fruit. A large vigorous plant, the Beefsteak will be ready for picking in 75-85 days. They are not as prone to cracking as the Brandywine variety. While it is one of the best for sandwiches, it is rarely found commercially. The shape of this tomato makes it difficult to pass through mechanical slicers.
Early Girl
The Early Girl makes the grade because not only is it tasty, but it also matures quickly. It is much smaller than the other two varieties, weighing in between four to eight ounces. The size is closer to what is found in the produce section of the grocery store. It is extremely hardy, drought resistant, and matures in about 50 days.
Better Boy
The Better Boy is slightly larger than the Early Girl and offers up big flavor. The fruit usually weighs over 10 ounces, with a meaty texture. It matures in about 70 days. As a hybrid cross between the Big Boy and the Lemon Boy, it is a heavy producer all summer long. The plants tend to grow very tall and don’t cultivate into neat rows very well.
Although not in the top four, Cherry tomatoes are also an excellent choice for eating. As abundant producers, they make an instant snack right off of the plant. Every Tennessee Gardner has a favorite variety. Like most things, it is a matter of personal taste. Regardless, these varieties are sure to offer up mouth-watering anticipation for any grower.