How to Determine the Types of Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a common staple of healthy eating. While they are most commonly associated with the color red, tomatoes vary in color from red to orange, pink to purple. Although tomatoes are actually a fruit, the supreme court of the United States declared them vegetables in 1893 in the case of Nix vs. Hedden. There are a wide variety of tomatoes with creative names like Boxcar Willie, Beafsteak, Purple Haze and Black Cherry. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Look at how the plant grows. Certain types of tomatoes will grow on a vine, while others will be found growing on a bush. You can even find dwarf tomato plants, which are designed to grow in smaller spaces. The Super Bush tomato is an example of a dwarf grown tomato, while Brandywine tomatoes are vine-grown.
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Research when the plants tend to bloom. Determinate plants will produce fruit when the plant attains a specific size, such as Bush tomato plants. These are generally preferred for canning and freezing since they can all be harvested at the same time. Indeterminate plants will keep growing and providing a yield right up until the first frost of the season. These are typically vine-grown plants.
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Consult with a nursery specialist or other sources to determine whether the tomatoes come from seeds or have been augmented by science. Heirloom tomatoes come from seed and you can plant the seeds from your current crop to enjoy more tomatoes next season. Hybrids are designed by scientists. They are typically more disease-resistant, but do not self-pollinate. Brandywine is a common heirloom tomato, while Beefsteak is a hybrid variety.
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Tips & Warnings
Since there are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes, consider finding a book or another resource to help determine what types are best for your climate.
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