Senga's Blog
Eco-chic Outdoor Living & Exterior Design
April 24/10 A Year in Sustainable Garden: The Planning Stage - Heirloom Tomato 'Giant Pink Belgian'
I was wandering through the garden centre today and couldn’t resist as I passed the tray of heirloom tomato seedlings. Although I am growing a myriad of varieties from seed such as ‘Black Krim’, ‘Brandywine’, ‘Purple Russian’, and 'Moneymaker' it seems like I can squeeze in room for one more on my edible green roof.
This is one of a few heirloom tomatoes I am growing which is pink skinned. And this is inherent in this cultivar and not the result of some anaemic hybrid that was grown hydroponically in a greenhouse. Pink-skinned tomatoes occur as a result of a clear skin over red flesh. Ordinary red tomatoes have yellow skin over red flesh. When ripe this fruit retains some green pigment, therefore the fruit also takes on purple and brownish hues.
Though often duller in color than their red or purple counterparts, pink tomatoes are typically juicier and have a sweeter flavor than tomatoes of the above color.
Information about Heirloom ‘Giant Belgian Pink’ Tomato You Need to Know
Botanical name: Lycopersicon esculentum ‘Giant Belgian Pink’
Country of Origin: USA – Ohio (late 1930’s)
Description: Large fruits have deep pink skin and smooth red flesh. It has solid meat and hefty size weighing in at 1.5 to 2 lbs)
Best harvested: Large fruits 680gr. - 907gr. (1.5 to 2 pounds). Some have reported up to 5lbs!
Time to Sow Seeds: Early Spring - March 1 indoors (or 4 weeks before last spring frost)
Where to Sow and Grow: Start indoors and transplant to prepared bed with well rotted compost/manure in full sun. Space 30cm apart and trellis. In case of late frost protect plants under cloches which can be made from old clear plastic pop bottles.
Maturity: 88 Days
Tip: Grow on Trellis for maximum yield and saves valuable real estate!
Taste: low-acid, mild flavour and is so sweet it has been used to make wine.
Uses: Sliced fresh, Salads grilled and in this case - wine! Stay tuned for harvest time later this summer and some delicious recipes!
Place in Square Foot Garden: In the vertical vegetable section of the square foot garden on my edible green roof. As this variety will take a little time to mature this can be paired with a very fast growing vegetable such as an heirloom baby leaf lettuce mix I am using. Companion Plants: Basil is a must - perfect taste companion as well as helps to protect tomatoes against pests and also improves flavour and growth of plants.
