Tomato nomenclature can be confusing at times. In addition to heirloom vs. hybrid and determinate vs. indeterminate, tomatoes are also classified by type. Plum tomato varieties are one of the five types, with the other classifications being cherry, globe, beefsteak and oxheart. But exactly what is a plum tomato and how does it differ from these other types? What is a Plum Tomato Being a cordon variety Katiebellwill need support as it grows. String can be used, tied firmly to a strong support wire above and tied loosely around the base of the plant. The plants are then twisted round the string as they grow. The direction of twisting doesn’t matter, but be consistent; otherwise you will untwist the ones you did earlier! Canes can be used, but be careful that heavily loaded plants may slide down unless tied securely. At the same time make sure you don’t strangle the plant stems. Greenhouse grown plants can be planted April onwards. Plants for outside should be hardened off, before planting out. Plant under cloches in early May, otherwise leave till June and plant out then. Again this will all depend on weather and risk of frost! Ethylene is involved in ripening and this is given off by ripening Bananas, and the tale that keeping unripe Tomatoes next to ripening Bananas will help, is true- up to a point. Once the plants are 20cm tall, they can be planted in their final positions. Because tomatoes like the warmth you will always get a earlier and bigger crop from greenhouse grown plants.

Plum tomatoes are as commonly sold canned as they are sold fresh. Most canned plum tomatoes are Italian varieties of plum tomatoes such as Roma or San Marzano. Some canned tomatoes are imported from Italy, while other brands are grown domestically. Roma VF tomatoes are perhaps the most common commercially-grown variety of plum tomatoes. This variety is perfect for making Italian-style tomato sauce and tomato paste. Read more about Roma Tomatoes here. Plum tomatoes vs. San Marzano tomatoes There are tons of fantastic recipes with plum tomatoes! These flavorful tomatoes are wonderful in pasta dishes, hearty soups and stews (like chili), and casseroles. You can use them in most recipes that call for tomatoes. Here are some wonderful recipes to try:We roasted some of our plum tomatoes and used them alongside some regular canned roma tomatoes to make a yummy bolognese sauce. The freezer is full :) Recipes with plum tomatoes Bred for centuries as sauce tomatoes, plums have a deep, rich flavor which is enhanced when heated. Their flesh stays firm even when fully ripe and plum tomatoes tend to be less seedy than other types. In addition to sauces, other plum tomato uses include applications where a meaty tomato is desirable. The Roma Tomato is a specific variety of plum tomato. This variety was developed by the USDA in the 1950s. Roma tomatoes are grown from Roma VF tomato seeds. Roma plants are determinate (bush tomatoes) and generally easy to grow. The easiest way to grow plum tomatoes is by buying plum tomato seedlings from a nursery or garden center. More experienced gardeners may wish to grow their plants from seeds by starting the seeds indoors in early spring. Keep tomato plants indoors in the spring until daily temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C), as the growth of the roots ceases in cold temperatures. San Marzano tomatoes are a popular Italian heirloom variety of plum tomatoes. Some gardeners refer to San Marzano tomatoes as their “fancy Romas”. San Marzano tomato seeds are easy to find due to this variety’s popularity. San Marzano plants are indeterminate (long-vining tomatoes).

When growing plum tomatoes indoors, a southern-facing window or supplemental lighting is usually required to prevent the seedlings from becoming leggy. Use a quality potting mix which drains well. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Fertilize as needed. Here’s a detailed guide on how to grow tomatoes. You can also take an online course specifically about growing heirloom types of tomatoes: Growing Heirloom Tomatoes, with Marie Iannotti. Keep your plum tomato plants from getting too cold, and be sure to provide lots of moisture in the soil as well as some homemade compost for nutrition. Buying plum tomatoes by the pound Choose a variety of foods from each of the five food groups each day if you want to stay healthy. nutrients are available in each food group. Depending on factors such as your level of activity and whether or not you are growing, your daily food intake will vary. Milks with calcium have been added, but they do not contain vitamin B12 or protein. Until they are two years old, the youngest children should consume full-cream milk. There are no ‘discretionary’ choices required to be followed in a healthy diet. Excess energy, saturated fat, sugar, and salt are frequently found in these foods and drinks. The Importance Of A Balanced Diet

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There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the size of the cherry tomatoes in question. However, on average, 5 cherry tomatoes would likely count as 1 of your 5 a day. Mary Jane Duford is a passionate gardener and well-acclaimed authority in the world of horticulture. As a certified Master Gardener and Permaculture Garden Designer with over a decade of hands-on experience, she has honed her skills to cultivate a deeper understanding of the natural world around us. Beyond her gardening prowess, Mary Jane holds a distinct edge as a Professional Engineer, an expertise that often intertwines with her gardening methodologies, bringing a unique perspective to her readers. A crop of Katiebelltake around 15 weeks from seed to first harvest. Although you can sow seed from as early as late December in a heated greenhouse, it is more usual to sow in a unheated greenhouse or on the kitchen windowsill in March / April for planting out April / May. San Marzano tomatoes have pointed ends when compared to the more rounded Romas. Read more about San Marzano Tomatoes here. Canned plum tomatoes