Garden Treasure Tomatoes

Garden to Table Goodness. This indeterminate, slicer type tomato has been hailed as a breakthrough. It was developed to have true heirloom taste, with modern disease resistance and high yield of large fruit. It performs well in heat and humidity. It has a smooth, balanced flavor and is delicious in salads and sauces. This tomato will produce fruit for an extended period of time. Fruit ripens in about 70-75 days from transplant. If you grow them from seed, the first mature fruit will take 91 to 103 days.

STARTING SEEDLINGS
In early spring, start indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before outdoor night temperatures are reliably in the 50-55°F (10-13°C). Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix. Keep moist but not soggy, and very warm, 80°F (27°C). Provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant outside.

When seedlings are 2 inches tall, transplant into individual 4 inch pots. Maintain at 70°F (21°C). Feed with half-strength fertilizer every 2 weeks until ready to plant. When nights reach 55°F (13°C), gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions. Plant these vigorous indeterminate climbers 3 feet apart into rich soil in full sun.

GROWING NOTES
Prepare soil well with aged manure or compost. Plant several inches deeper than seedlings were growing in containers. Provide strong stakes or tall wire cages at planting time. Mulch to provide even moisture retention; don’t overwater once fruit begins to ripen.

HARVEST AND USE
For best flavor, pick these beauties fully red-ripe and don’t store them in the refrigerator. These big, juicy beefsteak tomatoes are memorable in sandwiches or simply slice and enjoy with a pinch of salt and drizzle of good olive oil.

Soil temperature: 75 - 80 degrees fahrenheit
Seeding depth: 0.25 - 0.5 inches
Germination days: 6 - 14 days
Grow on temperature day: 60 - 65 degrees fahrenheit
Weeks indoor: 5 - 6 weeks
Maturation days: 76 days