Heirloom Tomatoes: Why They’re Better

I heard an interesting interview by an author named Barry Estabrook who’d written a book called “Tomatoland.”

Estabrook enumerated all of the reasons why genetically modified tomatoes shipped from Florida are sadly flavorless, and lacking in nutritional value. He detailed the process by which our non-organic grocery store tomatoes are shipped green from Florida and turned red by exposure to ethylene gas.

In the past few years that I’ve been growing heirloom tomatoes, I’ve personally relished the whole experience from start to finish, especially the tail end—harvesting, cooking, and eating.

Gardening is a rewarding, often relaxing experience; it can even be a form of family leisure. Younger children love digging around in a garden, planting seedlings, tearing up weeds, or picking fresh fruits and vegetables.

Older children can learn valuable lessons and gain great satisfaction from growing their own food. What could be more rewarding than sitting on the patio with one’s family, eating a meal full of veggies planted, cared for, and harvested together?

Heirloom tomatoes have become increasingly popular in recent years, making them a perfect choice for a family garden. They are, in several ways, superior to hybrid tomatoes, but they take some special care that hybrids do not. Here are five ways heirloom tomatoes are superior to hybrids and five tips on growing them.

Heirloom Superiority

1. Heirloom tomatoes require less water than hybrid tomatoes. While hybrid tomato plants will usually die if they aren’t watered regularly, heirloom tomatoes only need to be watered about once a week and only if the soil is dry.

2. There are more varieties of heirloom tomatoes. This means that there will be a variety of heirloom tomato that will work splendidly in any dish. They vary in color, taste, size, and shape.

3. Heirloom tomatoes have a wider range of taste and mostly are more enjoyable than hybrids. Hybrid tomatoes have been bred for size, color, and hardiness, not taste; whereas heirloom tomatoes were bred almost exclusively for taste.

4. Seeds from heirloom tomatoes can be saved and planted next year. Unlike hybrid tomato plants’ seeds, heirloom tomato seeds will produce plants identical to parents.

5. Heirloom tomatoes have more nutrients than hybrids. Again, hybrids were bred for size, color, and hardiness, not nutritional value. Though the hybrids still possess some health benefits, heirloom tomatoes are superior.

Thomas Stone, a gardener and freelance writer, is contributing author at Cooks and Travel Books. Permission to reprint given by: www.theheartofnewengland.com

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