Tomatoes
We specialize in round tomato varieties, saladette varieties and also a wide range of speciality tomatoes.
You deliver your top quality class 1 tomatoes to Allways Fresh. Thanks to our expertise, our experience and service you do not ever have to worry about your product finding its way to the shelves of the most important retailers in South Africa.
Nutritional Benefits
Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
The plant
The tomato is a perennial but grown as an annual plant grown for its fruits. It is a branching herbaceous plant with hairy, weak trailing stems. The leaves are hairy and vary in size. The plant bears yellow flowers in clusters. The fruits are round to lobed and they vary in size and colour, ranging from red to pink or yellow when ripe. The plant produces flat, slightly curved and hairy light brown seeds.
Soil type and pH
This crop is moderately tolerant to soil acidity and the optimum pH is 5.0 to 7.0. For ideal productions the soil should be rich in organic matter and free of root-knot nematodes.
Growth period
Some tomatoes produce very early and can be ready to eat as early as 55 days from the time you transplant them into your garden. Other varieties can take up to 90 days for their fruit to fully ripen.
Irrigation
Blossom end rot
Blossom end rot is one of the most common tomato plant diseases. It appears as though the bottom of the fruit has turned black and is beginning to rot the inside of the tomato. It might look like there is black hole in the bottom of the fruit. This is caused because the tomato plant is not getting enough calcium. This could be caused from lack of water. If there is calcium in the soil, but no water, the plant has no way to absorb the calcium through the root system.
Cloudy spot
If the fruit has white or yellow patches, you may have a case of cloudy spot. This is caused by stink bugs that may have attacked the tomatoes when they were forming. Use a good insecticide that is labeled for killing stink bugs. Spray it according to the manufactures recommendations. Stink bugs are known to lurk in nearby weeds, so spend some time and pull those weeds in your garden.
Sour rot
If the fruit has wide, deep cracks that appear to be emanating from the stem end, you’re probably dealing with sour rot. Sour rot is caused by a fungus and usually occurs if the fruit has been lying on the ground. Make sure that your tomato plants are properly supported, either with cages or stakes, and make sure no fruit is touching the ground.
Disease resistance
There are almost 50 different tomato plant diseases that can affect the stems, leaves and fruit. Most of the hybrid varieties of tomatoes today have been bred to be resistant to some of these diseases. Look for codes on the seed packet or plant label that will identify which diseases that particular tomato variety is resistant to.
Fertilisation Timing
When it comes to fertilizing tomatoes, a little bit can go a long way. You should usually not fertilize tomato plants the first few weeks after planting them, especially with fertilizer containing a high concentration of nitrogen. This may cause an abundance of green growth, with very little fruit production.
Sowing and Planting Time
Area: Cool
Ideal time: October
Possible time: September – November
Area: Warm
Ideal time: September – November
Possible time: August – December
Area: Hot
Ideal time: February – July
Possible time: January – June
Planting Method
Tomatoes are propagated from seed, either by raising and transplanting seedlings or by direct seeding. Seedlings are raised in seedbeds and transplanted to the field. Transplanting is preferable if hybrid seeds are used, particularly for early plantings when producing for the fresh market. Seedlings are usually ready for transplanting three to four weeks after sowing and they should be transplanted on moist soil. Direct seeding is usually done if the crop is for processing or mechanical harvesting.
Fresh from the Kitchen
using Tomatoes
Tomato Soup
This soup is everything I want tomato soup to be! It’s rich and creamy, yet doesn’t weigh me down. It’s bursting with amazing tomato flavor, yet it’s made from canned tomatoes.
Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta
This is a great vegetarian dinner or summer lunch idea. Juicy sweet cherry tomatoes burst open in warm olive oil, creating a luxuriously silky sauce that comes together in minutes.
Tomato & Garlic Chicken Curry
This is an Easy Chicken Curry that you need in your life. If you are looking for a new way to eat lean chicken breast, but you don’t like spicy food, then try this recipe.
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