Author: Marilyn Medina

They are perfect for any recipe that calls for tomatoes. The Better Boy variety of tomato yields large, one-pound fruits midseason in about 70 to 75 days after planting. How to Grow Better Boy Tomatoes. Botanical Name Solanum lycopersicum ‘Better Boy’ Mature Size 5-8 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide How many tomatoes will a Better […]

Collect tomato seeds at the end of the season when the fruit is ripe and ready. Some gardeners simply cut open the tomato and squeeze the pulp onto a plate or other container. The pulp needs to dry and then you can separate out the seeds. Another method is to rinse off the pulp in […]

Eating tomatoes that have gone bad will make you sick and can give you food poisoning from bacteria such as Salmonella. It is not recommended to eat tomatoes that are bad. Is it safe to eat old tomatoes? Tomatoes, specifically cherry or grape varieties, can start to wrinkle and get soft when they’re on the […]

‘Big Boy’ Description The large tomatoes are prized for their smooth skin, firm flesh and bright red color. The plants themselves are indeterminate, meaning they bear over a long period — in the case of ‘Big Boy,’ prolifically — and are larger than more compact, determinate tomato varieties. How tall does a Big Boy tomato […]

Dawn dish soap is one of many dish liquids that make an ideal soap solution, easily helping even novice gardeners battle against mealybugs in the tomato garden. What kind of soap can I use on my tomato plants? When made and used properly, the soap spray doesn’t harm your tomatoes but it does eradicate the […]

The best tomatoes are completely free of blemishes and bruises and should be a deep, bright red. Any tomato that looks dull or pale is going to be lackluster. Steer clear of any discolorations — even a small black spot can mean hidden rot on the inside. How can you tell if a tomato is […]

Corresponding author. Outbreaks of food-borne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes in or on fresh produce are sometimes reported. Tomatoes have been considered as one of the most implicated vehicles for produce-associated outbreaks. What foods are most likely to have Listeria? Outbreaks of Listeria infections in the 1990s were primarily linked to deli meats and hot […]

This disorder, known as “internal white tissue,” is caused by insufficient potassium to the fruit. Why do my tomatoes have a white ring inside? The spots of white pithy tissue directly under the skin of your tomatoes is caused by stinkbug feeding. The white corky areas in your friend’s tomato may be caused by one […]

Answer: The white or yellow areas on your tomatoes are due to sunscald. Sunscald occurs on fruit exposed to the sun during periods of extreme heat. Initial symptoms of sunscald are the development of shiny white or yellow areas on the fruit. Can you eat white tomatoes? You should be able to use your white […]

When temps consistently hit the 95-degree range, tomatoes tend to stop producing red pigments, which means typically red fruits may instead ripen to orange. When high heat lingers with days above 100°F and nights over 80°F, most tomato ripening stops altogether. At what temperature do tomatoes stop growing? Know Temps for Fruit All Summer Another […]

Sow Seeds in January/ February Indoors Often, the advice is to sow tomatoes indoors eight to ten weeks before your last frost date where you live. The problem often cited with sowing too early is that the seedlings may struggle to get enough light. Can you grow tomatoes in the winter time? Tomatoes are a […]

Fry them up and serve with a dip or turn them into a BLT. Delicious. You can also add them to Tex-Mex rice for a zesty flavor. Green tomatoes also make excellent ketchup, salsa, relish, and pickles. What do you do with green tomatoes in autumn? If you still have green tomatoes well into the […]

Beefsteak Tomato Plant Care Fertilize every three weeks with 1 pound (0.5 kg.) per 100 square feet (9 sq. m.). The optimum ratio for tomatoes is 8-32-16 or 6-24-24. What nutrients do beefsteak tomatoes need? Classic Home-grown Taste Chock full of nutrients, beefsteak tomatoes are not only yummy, but they’re good for you. In fact, […]

Avoid tomatoes with blemishes or dark spots. The tomato should have a good weight for its size, feeling heavy. The tomato should be firm, yet soft enough to give into any real pressure. The tomato should be very aromatic when you smell it near where the stem was attached. Are store bought tomatoes ripe? They’re […]

Indeterminate Tomatoes The plants are extra-large; some varieties reach up to eight feet tall. The fruits appear throughout the entire growing season, so you’ll have fresh tomatoes all summer once the plants reach full maturity. Something to consider is that many indeterminate tomatoes take longer to reach maturity. Which tomatoes keep producing? Indeterminate tomatoes continue […]

There are two main risks of eating unwashed fruits and vegetables: bacterial contamination and pesticides. In recent years, many outbreaks of foodborne illness have come from contaminated cantaloupe, spinach, tomatoes, and lettuce. What happens when you don’t wash tomatoes? Eating unwashed produce may cause you to ingest harmful bacteria, which may be present in the […]

So, canned tomatoes have an especially high risk of leaching BPA into the tomatoes because of the acidity. This is not to say that other canned goods do not also pose BPA exposure risks (they most certainly do), but tomatoes are one of the worst offenders. Is eating canned tomatoes good for you? Canned tomatoes […]

While the sugar content of a cup of tomatoes depends on how they are prepared, a cup of canned tomato puree provides you with 12.1 grams of sugar and 4.8 grams of fiber. Is there sugar in canned tomato sauce? Two ingredients of concern in tomato sauce are salt and sugar. Although 4 grams of […]

All canned tomato products are best used as soon as possible after opening. To store once opened, transfer them from the cans to tightly covered plastic containers or glass jars and keep refrigerated. How long can canned tomatoes sit out? Storing Opened Or Leftover Canned Tomatoes Opened or leftover canned tomatoes shouldn’t be left unattended […]

The short answer to the question is “Yes, to ensure safety, acid in the form of lemon juice, citric acid or vinegar must be added to tomatoes that will be processed by a pressure canning option”. What happens if you forget to put lemon juice in canned tomatoes? The citric acid adds no flavor or […]