Great White Tomato

25 seeds

Matures in 85 days

Planting companion: Cabbage, cucumber, garlic, chives, basil, lettuce, carrot, asparagus, spinach... However, avoid: Potato and bell pepper.

The Great White tomato produces beautiful, juicy tomatoes weighing 16 oz. They are full of flavor, low in acidity, and have very few seeds. Great White is the largest among white tomato varieties and exhibits excellent resistance to sunburn, drought, and cracking.

Start your tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Plant the seeds in a tray at a depth of 1/4" and about 1" apart. Keep the room temperature at around 70°F (20°C) until germination. Also, provide adequate light with a grow light or in front of a sunny window; keep the soil moist, but ensure proper drainage. When the second set of leaves emerges, transplant the seedlings into individual pots and bury the stems as low as possible for optimal rooting. Remember to acclimate your plants a week before putting them in the garden to harden them. Note that tomatoes are not frost-tolerant and should not be placed in the garden until all threat of frost is eliminated. Plant them in full sun in a rich, well-drained soil, and once again, bury the plants as low as possible to promote rooting. If you provide them with a trellis, space your plants about 2 feet apart, but if you prefer to let the plants spread, space them 3 to 4 feet apart.

Tomatoes often perform better with a trellis or support, as this protects them from pests and diseases associated with excessive ground contact. As the plants start to grow, tie them to the support to aid their development. Temperatures below 55°F (12°C) can reduce production, so you may need to protect the plants if temperatures drop. Water the plants, but try to avoid wetting the leaves as much as possible to prevent yellowing. As soon as frost arrives, all tomatoes should be harvested, even the green ones. Unripe tomatoes will eventually ripen if kept in a warm place shielded from direct sunlight.