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Mark A. Miller
Solanaceae
LYCOPERSICON esculentum 'Gold Medal'
Gold Medal Tomato, Tomato
Of all the gold and red bi-colored heirloom tomatoes, this is the best on all counts. Its huge beefsteak-type fruits have a rich, sweet, winey flavor that’s out of this world. This old-time variety was first made available in the early 1920s. In addition to great flavor, this indeterminate tomato is a heavy producer that’s particularly resistant to late-blight. Fruits are produced 75 to 85 days after planting.
Tomatoes are short-lived tender perennials that are usually grown as annuals. Their medium green, hairy, compound leaves have a strong fragrance and are not to be eaten. Mature vines produce distinctive yellow flowers, which are bee pollinated. These are followed by succulent tomato fruits, which are technically berries.
After all danger of frost has passed, plant tomatoes in full sun and fertile, well-drained garden loam that’s neutral to slightly acid. Seedlings may be started indoors under grow-lights several weeks ahead of time, and should be hardened off before planting outdoors. Set them deeply in the ground for best establishment; the main stem will form roots beneath the soil’s surface. Indeterminate types such as this should be staked, trellised or grown in tomato cages to contain their rambling stems.
These veggies (technically, fruits) are heavy feeders, so it is important to provide them with regular water and nutrients. Be sure to choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for tomatoes, and avoid excessive watering as this can result in cracking of fruit and diminished flavor. Best production and flavor occurs when both days and nights are warm. Tomato fruits become tough and less flavorful when subjected to cooler temperatures, and should not be stored in the refrigerator for this reason. In subtropical locations they may be grown as a winter crop as long as temperatures remain favorable.
For more detailed information about tomato pests and diseases, refer to the general entry for the species (Lycopersicon esculentum) in the Learn2Grow.com plant database.
12 - 1
11 - 15
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun
6'-7' / 1.8m - 2.1m
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
Indeterminate
Mexico, Central America, South America
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Vining/Climbing
Spring, Summer, Fall
Showy
Yellow
Red, Gold
Bicolor
Green, Dark Green
Yes
Single
No
Medium
Matte
Semi-Evergreen
Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable
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