Top tomatoes to grow now!
2022-09-14T06:37:11+10:00
Queenslander Leonie Shanahan is one of OG’s regular contributors who share their favourite tomatoes and tips from climate zones around Australia.
Leonie Shanahan lives on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, where she grows heirloom tomatoes suited to a subtropical and tropical climate. These heirlooms not only add a burst of flavour to meals but are also wonderfully adapted to Queensland’s growing conditions. Heirloom tomatoes, known for their rich flavours and diverse shapes and colours. Therefore, they are a perfect choice for gardeners seeking variety and resilience. Here are two of her favourite varieties that have performed well in her garden, producing delicious, robust tomatoes season after season.
‘Amish Paste’
The ‘Amish Paste’ tomato is an indeterminate variety, meaning it grows tall and keeps producing throughout the season, so make sure to give it plenty of sturdy support. These tomatoes are shaped like romas but are a bit larger, with a rich, deep flavour. They’re packed with flesh and have very few seeds, making them perfect for whipping up a delicious homemade pasta sauce. Plus, their robust flavour makes them a great addition to any kitchen garden if you’re looking for a reliable, tasty tomato crop. Just plant, support, and enjoy the harvest!
‘Yellow Pear’ Cherry (below)
I want low-maintenance, easy to harvest food plants and ‘Yellow Pear’ cherry tomato is that. It’s an indeterminate, hardy, vigorous heirloom and a good producer. Stake to allow easy harvesting, increased air flow and to prevent tomatoes from rotting on the ground. Grows in pots successfully. It produces sweet, tangy, bright-yellow fruit in clusters. A vibrant addition to salads, whole or sliced.
Leonie’s top tip for tomato growing success: Pruning lower leaves
allows more air flow, increases the yield as less energy is used in leaf production, and prevents soil splashing onto the leaves which can promote soil-borne diseases. Healthy pruned leaves can be placed
on the soil to feed the soil microbes which will feed your plant.
Always water the soil not the leaves.
These tips first appeared in out Spring 2022 issue (OG 136), which was filled with our top tomato favourites plus expert tips to help you with a successful harvest. There’s a selection of back issues available here — you can also subscribe and get the most recent issues delivered to your door!
