When it comes to growing tomatoes that are packed full of flavor and amazing texture, you can’t go wrong with the 5 must try heirloom tomatoes featured in today’s article!
There’s a reason why heirloom tomato varieties have lasted the test of time and continue to be grown by generation after generation of gardeners. In addition to their intense flavors, heirlooms are often toted as being some of the most beautiful tomatoes as well.
Unlike heirlooms, producers grow grocery store tomatoes for their looks and durability. While they might look blemish-free sitting on the store shelves, their flavor and texture are often lacking in return. But that just isn’t the case when you grow heirloom tomatoes!
While you might not always be able to typically purchase heirloom tomatoes in local stores, you can easily grow them in your garden space. All it takes is a few seeds, some soil, and a bit of time – and you can enjoy the taste and flavor that tomatoes were meant to have
With growing greatness in mind – here are 5 great must-grow heirloom varieties to grow in your garden this year!
5 Must Try Heirloom Tomatoes To Grow This Year!
The Pineapple Tomato
If you are looking for a tasty and unique slicing tomato, the Pineapple heirloom needs to be on your list. It is aptly named for its mainly yellow and orange marbled skin and flesh throughout. Not only is it stunning visually but it also features a traditional tomato flavor with sweet pineapple and citrus undertones.
The Pineapple tomato is an indeterminate plant that sets fruit later in the growing season. However, plants are heavy producers. And once they start producing, they do so with vigor. Due to their longer growing season, you need to start seeds indoors and plant long after the threat of frost has passed.
Each Pineapple tomato typically weighs between 1 to 2 pounds. While they might take a while to become ripe, each Pineapple harvested is worth the wait and is perfect for slicing and fresh eating. Seed Link: 5 Rare Tomato Seeds for Planting Variety Pack Heirloom Tomato Seeds
Pink Brandywine
Dating back all the way to 1800s, the Pink Brandywine tomato is one of the most popular heirloom varieties around. In fact, this is one heirloom where you can usually find transplants at most garden centers because of their popularity
Like their namesake, Pink Brandywine tomatoes feature deep pinkish-red skins. These beefsteak-like tomatoes typically average around 14 ounces each and ripen a bit later in the season than most other tomato varieties.
The flavor profile of Pink Brandywine is fairly sweet with a mild hint of acidity. It is perfect for slicing on sandwiches and eating fresh. The plant is a steady producer of fruit all the way up to the first frost, making for a great long-season harvest. Seed Link: Burpee Brandywine Pink Tomato Seeds
Black Cherry – 5 Must Try Heirloom Tomatoes To Grow This Year
If you are looking for an outstanding heirloom cherry tomato variety, then look no further than Black Cherry. This is the only “truly black” cherry tomato around and it is simply delicious!
Even though it is one of the newest heirloom tomatoes around (discovered in 2003), the Black Cherry is quickly climbing in popularity. This indeterminate heirloom features vigorous vines that produce loads of clusters of 1-inch-sized tomatoes.
The plants are prolific producers, and each fruit features a deep purplish-mahogany color. The flavor of Black Cherry tomatoes is complex and sweet yet rich at the same time. It is perfect for topping salads or combining with other cherry tomato varieties for a stunning mix of colors and flavor profiles.
Adding to its allure, the plant produces early – and continues to flower and form fruit all the way up to the first frost in the fall. Seed Link: Sow Right Seeds – Black Cherry Tomato Seeds
Bonny Best – 5 Great Heirloom Tomatoes
Bonny Best is a classic indeterminate heirloom tomato variety that first grew in gardens in the early 1900s. It quickly became one of the most popular canning tomatoes around, and became a mainstay by the mid 1900’s.
While Bonny Best tomatoes aren’t as large as some of the common beefsteak varieties, this heirloom produces beautiful red and round, medium-sized fruit. Unlike the tasteless hybrid varieties you see nowadays, Bonny Best tomatoes are meaty and bursting in flavor.
You can enjoy Bonny Best tomatoes freshly sliced due to the classic tomato flavor you expect from a good homegrown tomato. However, they are also excellent for turning into rich tomato soups, sauces, ketchup, and more like they did generations ago. Seed Link: Bonny Best Heirloom Tomato Seeds
Amish Paste – 5 Must Try Heirloom Tomatoes To Grow This Year
The Amish Paste tomato is a roma-style tomato that is meaty and perfect for thickening up sauces and juices. Having originated in the 1870s in Wisconsin, it is one of the oldest varieties on today’s list. However, it is still extremely popular. Seed Link: Amish Paste Tomato Seeds
This indeterminate plant produces multiple acorn-shaped 8 to 12-ounce sized fruit. You can use the almost seedless fruit to thicken canning products but they also work well as sliced tomatoes.
These plants don’t grow quite as large as some indeterminate varieties. This makes them perfect for growing in containers or on your patio. For other great varieties for growing in containers, see The 3 Best Tomatoes To Grow On A Patio.
One thing is for sure, whether it is Amish Paste, or any of the other four heirloom tomatoes featured today, your taste buds will thank you for growing them! Here’s to planting, growing, harvesting, and enjoying the amazing flavors and textures that heirloom tomatoes provide!
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