Courtesy Steve Bogash / Penn State ExtensionThe Sakura Honey was a top choice in the grape vine / cherry tomato category of the 2011 Penn State Tomato Trials .
It ’s that clip of class again . If you have n’t already started your tomato source or plant seedling in the garden , you ask to decide what variety of tomato ( or more likely , varieties of tomatoes ) will suit your farm and class ’s needs this season . From heirloom to loan-blend and cherries to beefsteaks in a rainbow of coloring , the range of tomato options is broad and make up one’s mind what to grow can be downright overwhelming .
Each year , researchers at the Penn State Extension billet in Chambersburg , Pa. , mold with Master Gardeners to make the determination a little gentle . In the yearly Penn State Tomato Trials , research worker grow and reexamine 30 to 70 variety of tomato plant to assist commercial-grade raiser and gardeners in Franklin County , Pa. , in selecting the good varieties for their demand .
The tomato plant variety trial run begin in 2000 to introduce new tomato mixture to gardeners , but once the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association start fund the programme in 2005 , the trial began to sustain the commercial tomato plant industry , as well .
“ For commercial growers , we count at yield . flavor , coming into court , disease resistance in a ‘ normal ’ preventative program and marketability , ” say Steve Bogash , regional gardening pedagogue at Penn State , who co - leads the test . “ For gardeners , we are primarily wait at flavor and appearance . ”
The tomato plant are acquire in both eminent burrow and field plot of ground using a combining of constituent and schematic growing method acting . Typically 170 to 210 community members , Master Gardeners and commercial producers are involved in the gustation - testing process . Since the inception of the program , more than 300 love apple varieties have been try out , and some have stand out as clear winner .
“ We are truly aroused over Sakura Honey and our five - year favorite , Brandy Boy , ” Bogash articulate . “ Brandy Boy was the good slicer [ in 2011 ] with full takings and splendid flavour . Sakura Honey was the proficient cerise / grapeshot [ in 2011 ] with amazing flavor and splendid fruit . ”
In the heirloom category , he points to Mortgage Lifter and Arkansas Traveler as good choice for yield , disease resistance and flavor .
“ There are always new tomatoes to be tested , ” Bogash enjoin . “ My high - tunnel trial this year has 20 variety , of which 12 - plus are new . I can not predict what the resultant will be , but tomato people always seem to be excited about [ them ] . ”
Here are some of the top - rate tomatoes from the 2011 trials that you might look at include in your crop card this twelvemonth . For a gross list , readPenn State ’s Tomato Report 2011 . ( The tomatoes for the 2012 trial will be ripe for the tasting in mid - July . )
Cherry / Grape Tomato : Sakura HoneyAccording to the investigator , this undetermined , red grape tomato stood out from the face pack in 2011 with amazing flavor and beautiful pink , grape - shaped fruit .
Slicer Tomato : Brandy BoyThe indeterminate Brandy Boy tomato was introduced by Burpee several year ago as an choice to the tasty but undependable Brandywine love apple . It ’s a extremely productive tomato with great , pink , great - tasting yield , nearly monovular to Brandywine .
Heirloom Tomato : PineapplePineapple is the only yellow-bellied - orange tree - red ink tomato plant tested that provided ordered production and good flavor . This undetermined variety is soft and cracks promptly , but makes an excellent addition to homemade tomato juice .
Container - grow Tomato : Bush other GirlA undivided Bush Early Girl plant life will give a high numeral of great - savor fruit . Containers should have a diam of at least 14 inches .
