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Tomatoes — Solanum lycopersicum

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Tomatoes — Solanum lycopersicum

layout: base.njk title: Tomatoes description: Growing Tomatoes in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: warm-season

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

Type: Annual
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hours)
Water: Moderate to High (1-2" per week)
Soil pH: 6.2-6.8
Hardiness: Annual (frost-tender)

🌱 Expected Yield

  • Per plant: 10-20 lbs for indeterminate varieties; 5-10 lbs for determinate
  • Per 10' row: 30-50 lbs (3-4 plants)
  • Notes: Yield heavily influenced by variety, pruning, consistent watering, and disease pressure. Greenhouse or high tunnel production can extend season and increase yields 20-30%.

🏺 Heirloom Varieties

'Cherokee Purple'

  • Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (rareseeds.com), Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org)
  • Days: 80 days
  • Notes: Pre-1890 variety from Tennessee, possibly from Cherokee people. Dusky rose-purple color with green shoulders. Rich, smoky, complex flavor. 10-12 oz fruits. Indeterminate.

'Brandywine'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (southernexposure.com)
  • Days: 80-90 days
  • Notes: Dating to 1885, possibly the best-tasting heirloom. Deep pink-red, 1-2 lb fruits. Potato-leaf foliage. Exceptionally rich, sweet, old-fashioned tomato flavor. Multiple strains exist (Sudduth, Potter, etc.).

'Mortgage Lifter'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 78 days
  • Notes: Developed 1930s by 'Radiator Charlie' Bylew in West Virginia. Sold plants to pay off mortgage. Pink-red, 1-2 lbs, meaty with few seeds. Excellent flavor. Indeterminate.

'Green Zebra'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Johnny's Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com)
  • Days: 62 days
  • Notes: Created 1980s by Tom Wagner. Green with yellow stripes, amber flesh. Tart, zesty, tangy flavor. 5-7 oz fruits. Indeterminate. Great for those with nightshade sensitivity.

'Black Krim'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: From Crimea, Russia. Purple-black shoulders, red flesh. Salty, rich, complex flavor. 8-12 oz. Indeterminate. Performs well in heat.

'San Marzano'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 78 days
  • Notes: True Italian paste tomato from San Marzano region near Naples. Red, 3-4" fruits, few seeds, thick flesh. Sweet, intense flavor. Indeterminate. Best for sauces and canning.

'Yellow Pear'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Pre-1900 variety. Small yellow pear-shaped fruits. Mild, sweet, low-acid flavor. Prolific producer. Indeterminate. Great for snacking and salads.

'Amish Paste'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 80 days
  • Notes: Amish heritage from Wisconsin. Red, 8-12 oz heart-shaped fruits. Meaty, sweet, few seeds. Excellent for sauce and paste. Indeterminate but grows compactly.

'Kellogg's Breakfast'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 80 days
  • Notes: Yellow beefsteak from West Virginia. Large 1-2 lb fruits. Buttery, sweet, low-acid flavor. Indeterminate. Named for being perfect breakfast tomato.

'Speckled Roman'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 75 days
  • Notes: Roman paste type with yellow-red speckling. 4-6" fruits, meaty, few seeds. Sweet, tangy flavor. Indeterminate. Beautiful and productive.

'Dixie Golden Giant'

  • Source: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
  • Days: 80 days
  • Notes: Golden-yellow beefsteak, 1-2 lbs. Sweet, mild, low-acid flavor. Indeterminate. Good for those with acid sensitivity.

'Arkansas Traveler'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: Heat-tolerant heirloom from Arkansas. Pink-red, 6-8 oz. Excellent flavor even in hot weather. Indeterminate. Crack-resistant.

🌾 Seed Saving

Method: 1. Choose fully ripe fruit from healthy, vigorous plants 2. Cut tomato in half; squeeze seeds and gel into jar 3.

Add small amount of water; ferment 2-4 days at room temperature 4. Stir daily; mold will form on top—this is normal 5. Fermentation kills seed-borne diseases and removes germination-inhibiting gel 6.

When seeds sink and foam subsides, pour off pulp and floating seeds 7. Rinse viable seeds in fine-mesh strainer 8. Spread on paper plate or glass; dry 1-2 weeks in shaded, well-ventilated area 9.

Store in paper envelope in cool, dry place.

Isolation Distance: - Self-pollinating: Tomato flowers are primarily self-pollinating - Minimum: 10-20 feet between varieties to prevent crossing - For absolute purity: 50+ feet or cage individual flowers - Note: Some crossing can occur via wind or insects; isolation recommended for seed saving

Viability: 4-6 years under proper storage (cool, dry, dark). Germination rates decline after year 4.

Special Notes: - Label carefully—many varieties look similar as seeds - Save from multiple plants (minimum 5) to maintain genetic diversity - For heirlooms, select for desired traits (flavor, disease resistance, productivity) - Some varieties (like 'Green Zebra') are difficult to judge ripeness—learn to recognize when truly mature

Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead