Tomatoes for the Garden

Last Saturday I rolled up my sleeves and got my hands in the dirt.  Not the garden dirt mind you, because you know it was snowing.    IN THE DAMN MIDDLE OF MAY!…

And “that’s what I love about living in Ohio!” – said no sane person ever.

But I was all cozy inside, shooting irritated glances at the snow-covered empty garden outside, and drinking wine and transplanting tiny tomato plants that I’d started from seed. And hardening-off these young plants has sure taken a toll on them in this shit weather.

I planted three different tomato varieties this year – San Marzano, Mortgage-Lifter, and Indigo Rose.

San Marzano Tomato

San Marzano vines are indeterminate and have a somewhat longer season than other paste tomato varieties. These tomatoes are open-pollinated and breed true from generation to generation. Known for thick flesh, few seeds seeds, and a strong, sweet taste.

Did you know that San Marzano tomatoes, along with Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio, have been designated as the only tomatoes that can be used for Vera Pizza Napoletana (true Neapolitan Pizza)? Pretty serious stuff.

Mortgage-Lifter Tomato

There is a lot of history behind this large, meaty tomato. Too much to cover in this post, but if you love a good history story you can read about the dedicated “character” who created this tomato HERE. Theses tomatoes can weigh up to four pounds!

I’ve never grown a mortgage-lifter before, but I’m already imagining creating some massive BLT sandwiches with them this summer.

Indigo Rose Tomato

This is a recently developed new variety of tomato. And supposedly super high in antioxidants compared to other tomatoes. And it’s a different-looking tomato, that happens to be a blue/black/purple color when ripe.

Sadly, I’ve read many comments that it lacks flavor. Of course I didn’t know this before I bought the seeds, but I’m going to find out for myself. You can read what Mother Earth News readers thought about their experience growing them HERE.

Interestingly, most of the places that sell Indigo Rose seeds are sold out of them. Maybe we’re all just suckers for a pretty purple tomato – even if it sucks in flavor.

I purchased all my seeds this year from Ohio Heirloom Seeds.  Believe it or not, I had seeds from this company left over from 2014.  From those I planted the Mortgage Lifter and the San Marzano plants. I was really surprised they even germinated, but they did!  The Indigo Rose seeds were a new purchase this year.

Ohio Heirloom Seeds are way less expensive than most of the other seed companies out there and they ship fast. (Not affiliated with them – just impressed.)  They’re not huge – you won’t find 57 melon varieties or anything too flashy on their website, but they cover the basics well.  And you get a lot more seeds per packet than most other companies give you.

This Saturday I’m picturing a whole different scenario than last Saturday… Me, all cozy outside, digging fresh dirt in the garden outside, drinking wine and transplanting tiny tomato plants in the 75°F sun.  ~A  

***Side Note:  I almost want to give up on gardening after looking back at this post from last June…. Yes – JUNE!

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