The snow keeps falling, but, while it may not seem so, spring is not far away.
In the past three years, I have collected a wide variety of tomato seeds. Unfortunately, the opportunity to plant them so I can see how they perform did not happen.
I will be sharing these seeds at an upcoming seed exchange at the local public library.
If people make this exchange an active practice, the seed library will become a source of seeds that are adapted to our area.
The Library is also a good source of gardening information including seed saving.
We have a short growing season, especially if the gardener does not have a greenhouse or uses other season extending means. In a few weeks, we will discuss how to extend the gardening season, without using a greenhouse, but today the topic is tomatoes.
Tomatoes love heat. They do not do well in cool, damp weather. So what plants are best for the local weather conditions?
Before choosing which tomato to plant, it is important that you are aware of the tomato鈥檚 three general types of growth; determinate, indeterminate and semi-determinate.
Determinate: varieties are often referred to as bush tomatoes.
Indeterminate refers to the continual growth habit of the plant which will continue to grow and flower until a killing frost. These are tall plants and will require staking for best results.
The following are a few varieties of short season tomatoes, I believe are worth a try. All tomatoes, when started from seed, will need to be stared indoors and transplanted outdoors once the last frost date has passed.
The dates for reaching maturity I provide all refer to the time it takes from the plant being first transplanted outdoors until it produces fruit.
42 days is a determinate variety that will produce fruit within 45 -50 days. I have grown this one and would grow it again.
Acadian Cherry is determinate but will take 60 days to reach maturity. Still, this is a variety to consider, if cherry tomatoes appeal to you. Good be great for a container on patio or balcony garden.
Andrina is a determinate variety which I grew last year. The plants are small but each one produces a large number of tomatoes. This is also a good container plant.
These three varieties are suitable for our local growing conditions. If you are interested in discovering other possibilities than a simple search for short -season tomatoes will set you on the path. I have purchased most of my seeds from Heritage Harvest seeds but they are located in Carman Manitoba.
Rainbow Seeds is a non-GMO, heritage seed company located in New Brunswick. They sell a Tiny Tim tomato that matures in 70 days after beings transplanted out. I have grown and eaten these and am pleased with the yield and flavour. If you love tomatoes consider these varieties, I think you will be pleased, until next week happy gardening.