Did you ever wonder why your tomato plant became so big and unruly? Last year, my Heirloom variety, Brandywine, wanted to take over the entire bed ! I resorted to pruning it after it had overgrown the wire cage and, as a result, the yield was less than favorable. The fruit, however, was so tasty and the blossoms so gorgeous ( for a tomato, that is...) that I am trying again this season. There are some things I would like to pass along regarding tomatoes:
There are two types... determinate and indeterminate. Determinate are the bush varieties...translation - small enough for a compact garden. All the tomatoes ripen within a month, more or less. If you plant this type in Borrego early enough, you will probably have a yield before any frost or inclement weather. Try not to prune this type tomato. These plants will grow to three or four feet.
On the other hand, indeterminate varieties may grow to seven of eight feet and usually need strong support. My Brandywine quickly overgrew it's support and unfortunately suffered from the frost. I waited to see if any viable growth was left and pruned off the rest. If I had it to do over again I would have removed the plant and started a new one.
I plan to include a new seedless variety this season...billed as " THE WORLD'S FIRST SEEDLESS TOMATO...SWEET! " It is also indeterminate. We shall see what happens!
( I am also hedging my bet by including one determinate variety. )
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