I read one time that there are about 10,000 varieties of tomatoes. They fall into two categories: determinate and indeterminate. The determinate plants are a bush variety and grow until they set fruit (yes a tomato is a botanical fruit) on the terminal bud. Then all fruit ripens over a 1 to 2 week period.
I like to grow indeterminate tomatoes. For most of the country, this means that they will grow until killed by frost. Since I live where we never have frost, we plant in the fall and our tomatoes grow until they are killed by the heat and moisture from our rainy season (sometime in May).
Most varieties of the smaller tomatoes are of the indeterminate variety. This means you can enjoy their goodness all season long.
Right now I am crazy for Yellow Pear and Everglades tomatoes. Lets face it, who wouldnt be crazy about a tomato that has a waist?
Just look at these little gems from the garden. Scarlett OHara herself would be green with envy of that small yellow waist! And no corset was needed. No pear has ever been as adorable as my yellow pear tomatoes. They originated in Europe in the 1700s and fell out of fashion for a bit but have come back in a big way for such a small tomato. While considered a "sweet" tomato, I think they are on the acidic side and taste tart. They are yummy when tossed in salads, as a topping for frittatas, or simply enjoyed with a few leaves of basil, a pinch of salt, and a dash of oil and balsamic vinegar.
The other tomato that I am crazy for this year is the native Everglades tomato. This is the only tomato that is native to South Florida. Not only is it indeterminate but it can stand up to the heat and torrential downpours of our rainy season. I have Everglades tomato plants in an aquaponics flood and drain bed that are almost a year old! They grow on sprawling vines and produce in clusters of 8 or 9 like a cherry tomato. I dont think you can kill an Everglades tomato.
If you look at this photo, I set one Everglades tomato on a quarter so you would have perspective on the size of this mighty tasting tomato. It might be a small tomato but it has more sweet taste than any large beefsteak
I want to see the Everglades tomato get the attention it deserves. If you will email me at allergycheryl@gmail.com and in the email subject put "Free Seeds" I will email you back with my address. You can send a self addressed stamped envelope and I will send you some free Florida Everglades tomato seeds. Then you can enjoy this awesome small tomato with a very very large taste
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