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A longstanding debate revolves around whether the tomato is a fruit or vegetable, as it has characteristics of both.  The tomato originated in the Americas, and comes in many colors and varieties. Since vegetables were taxed, tomatoes were classified as a fruit to avoid taxation until the late 1800’s.  But then came the mass migration of Italian immigrants, bringing the wildly popular pizza dish, along with heirloom tomato seeds.  Tomatoes became a staple item in most kitchens, so to increase revenue, the Supreme Court ruled the tomato was a vegetable and therefore taxable.

Tomatoes are extremely nutritious, containing vitamins C and K, potassium, and lycopene.  Lycopene is known for reducing risk of heart disease, including blood clots and cholesterol, and also for reducing risk of cancer.  Tomatoes are 95% water, high in fiber and low in calories, and are beneficial to keeping your skin healthy.

Whether growing tomatoes from seeds in the ground, or in pots, they thrive easily. Your heirloom seeds should be spaced two feet apart, and will need full sun with well-drained soil.  Be sure and place tomato stakes or cages at the same time you plant your seeds, to keep the tomatoes off the ground and to keep the plants upright.

Determinate vs. Indeterminate? You may have seen these terms and wondered what they mean. On our product listing descriptions you’ll see the tomatoes referred to with either of these terms. The simple answer is Indeterminate tomatoes run through the whole season, producing fruit longer, whereas, determinate varieties set fruit in a short time frame. They reach maturity, and the plants stop growing, and set fruit in a nice short spurt of time, making them perfect varieties for canning, so you get a bunch of tomatoes all at the same time, and can get them canned up into your favorite recipes.

Indeterminate heirloom tomatoes plants grow much bigger, with long vines, and determinate varieties are more of a bush, stopping growth sooner.

All tomato plants are vines but indeterminate tomatoes grow much longer than determinate varieties. If left to their natural tendencies, tomato vines can become a damp, tangled mess on the soil, where they attract diseases and pests. For this reason, it really benefits your heirloom tomatoes using stakes, cages, or trellises to support the plants as they grow bigger.

Tomatoes are used in countless recipes, from fried green tomatoes, to chili, bruchetta, pico de gallo, salsa, salads, soups, sandwiches and so much more. Order your St. Clare heirloom seeds today and use your fresh tomatoes to create a new recipe!

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