Clusters of tasty tomatoes - varieties and gardening - Brief Article

Sunset, Feb, 2000 by JIM McCAUSLAND

Bunches of ripe tomatoes still clinging to the vine have become a familiar sight at produce markets. These so-called cluster tomatoes are cultured in hothouses for sale during seasons when field-grown crops aren't available. But you can easily grow such tomatoes in your summer garden. Which are the most rewarding? To find out, Sunset grew several varieties last summer in Northern California and near Puget Sound, Washington. Then we conducted a tasting, rating each tomato for texture, flavor, and sweetness or acidity. Our seven favorites are shown and described in the chart at right.

Some varieties, like 'Juliet', are commonly sold as seedlings in nurseries; others you'll need to start from seed (sources are listed below). Sow seeds indoors about six weeks before the average date of the last spring frost in your area.

Plant seedlings in full sun and in soil amended with plenty of compost, leaf mold, or peat moss, plus some low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10). You can grow plants in a tomato cage or train them up stakes.

Most kinds will start setting fruit in two months. Fruit ripens from the base of the cluster (closest to the main stem) outward to the tip. Pick ripe tomatoes one at a time to enjoy the best flavor.

* SEED SOURCES: JS=Johnny's Selected Seeds; (207) 437-4301 or www.johnnyseeds.com. TG=Tomato Growers Supply; (888) 478-7333 or www.tomatogrowers.com. TS=Territorial Seed Company; (541) 942-9547 or www.territorial-seed.com. TT=Totally Tomatoes; (803) 663-0016 or www.totallytomato.com. WC=West Coast Seeds; (604) 482-8800 or www.westcoastseeds.com.

'Early Cascade'

FRUITS PER CLUSTER: 5--8

AVERAGE FRUIT LENGTH, WEIGHT: 2 1/2 in., 3 1/2 oz.

NOTES: Large fruit has meaty flesh with well-balanced flavor.

SEED SOURCES*: JS, TG, TS, WC

'Garden Peach'

FRUITS PER CLUSTER: 6--9

AVERAGE FRUIT LENGTH, WEIGHT: 1 3/8 in,, 3/4 oz.

NOTES: These tomatoes look like small peaches, complete with fuzzy skin. Full flavor.

SEED SOURCES*: TG, TS

'Juliet'

FRUITS PER CLUSTER: 6--9

AVERAGE FRUIT LENGTH, WEIGHT: 1 1/4 in., 3/4 oz.

NOTES: First tomato to ripen in our trials, this 1999 All-America Selection produced large crops of firm, acidic fruit. Plant needs sturdy support.

SEED SOURCES*: JS, TT

'Principe Borghese'

FRUITS PER CLUSTER: 6--9

AVERAGE FRUIT LENGTH, WEIGHT: 1 5/8 in., 1 1/2 oz.

NOTES: Standard drying tomato in Italy; its meaty flesh has rich flavor. Plant has a Vigorous habit.

SEED SOURCES*: JS, TG, TS, TT, WC

'Santa'

FRUITS PER CLUSTER: 6--13

AVERAGE FRUIT LENGTH, WEIGHT: 1 in., 1/4 oz.

NOTES: Rated the most flavorful tomato in our tasting, it has a nice sweet-tart balance--and the fruit doesn't split. Vigorous vine resists late blight.

SEED SOURCES*: JS, TT

'Sausalito Cocktail'

FRUITS PER CLUSTER: 6--8

AVERAGE FRUIT LENGTH, WEIGHT: 1 1/4 in., 3/4

NOTES: Small plant grows well in hanging baskets, since its vines grow to about 2 feet. Mild flavor. Fruit splits in rain.

SEED SOURCES*: TG, TS

'Sun Gold'

FRUITS PER CLUSTER: 8--14

AVERAGE FRUIT LENGTH, WEIGHT: 1 1/8 in., 1/2 oz.

NOTES: Gold-fleshed cherry tomato is as sweet as candy. Fruit splits in rain.

SEED SOURCES*: JS, TG, TS, TT, WC