Cherry tomatoes
Houston, Texas lies in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The region experiences average cold temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees each winter. Hardiness zones are what normally determine which plants will be successful in a given area. Cold, however, is not the problem in the Houston area. The trick to success with tomatoes in the Houston area is planting them early in the spring and late in the summer to avoid the blistering heat of mid-summer. Under these circumstances, almost any tomato can be grown in Houston, with adequate care. Several varieties are recommended for their disease or drought resistance, cracking resistance and the quality and quantity of output, if grown under optimal conditions. Does this Spark an idea?
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are at the smallest end of the size spectrum for tomatoes. These are typically used for fresh eating. Sweet Chelsea and Sweet Million are both indeterminate cherry tomato varieties that are suited to Houston growing conditions. Both are disease and crack- resistant and take up to 65 days to reach maturity. Fruits tend to range between 1 inch and 1.5 inches. Both plants produce fruits in clusters. Sweet Chelsea is drought-resistant and can reach 6 feet in height.
Medium Tomatoes
Mid-sized tomatoes, sometimes called salad tomatoes are medium-sized tomatoes. They are measured by weight and are generally between 4 and 8 ounces each. Varieties suited to the Houston area include Champion, Dona and Early Girl. Both Champion and Dona are disease-resistant. The three varieties mature fruits in 59 to 65 days. Champion is capable of producing up to 50 pounds of fruit in a season, in good conditions. Early Girl is one of the earliest producers and this hybrid can continue producing when others have stopped. Dona is of French origin and produces slightly flattened fruits that are nearly seedless. Another excellent choice for Houston is the heat-tolerant variety, which produces meaty 10-ounce fruits.
Large Tomatoes
Big Boy, Celebrity and German Johnson all produce fruits that near or surpass 1 pound each. Big Boy is indeterminate, disease resistant and reaches maturity in 69 to 80 days. It can reach 8 feet tall. Celebrity is disease and crack resistant, semi-indeterminate and produces fruit in 70 days. German Johnson produces 1 pound fruits in 89 days on indeterminate vines. The plant is a potato leaf structure that is well suited to the Houston area. Big Boy hybrids produce sweet-tasting tomatoes, and the plants are strong growers.
Tags: Houston area, suited Houston, Champion Dona, days reach, Early Girl