Cherishing Cherry Tomatoes!

As beautiful as pearls and as sweet as candy, miniature tomatoes inspire jealousy among other garden vegetables. They are undeniably the gardener’s favorite.

Since their popularization in the mid-19^th century, tomatoes of all kinds quickly climbed the ranks of the most beloved vegetables. In catalogs, every seed company offered at least one variety of “cherry tomatoes”, even though the commercial trend of the time was to offer the largest tomato available. Shamefully, cherry tomatoes were pushed into the background because they looked too much like their Peruvian ancestors, from which people wanted to distance themselves. And yet, the consumer hadn’t said their last word: small fruits, no bigger than grapes, are the ultimate for a fresh vegetable lover.

Easier to Grow

It’s a proven fact: miniature tomatoes have retained a little something of their origins, in terms of endurance and ease of adaptation. A gardener struggling to grow “ordinary” tomatoes is systematically advised to turn to miniature tomatoes. First, because the fruits, being smaller, ripen quicker. Second, because there are more of them. Finally, because they forgive imperfections of the soil and growing season. Growing best in rich soil filled with organic matter and watered consistently, they succeed in producing in poorer soil, and they overcome forgetfulness in watering more easily. Behind their cute and flirtatious appearances are hidden some real tough guys.

In the province of Quebec alone, you can easily obtain nearly a hundred different tomato varieties, each no larger than a lychee. They range from the size of a thumbnail, a cherry, or a large grape. Round, elongated, or pear-shaped. Red, of course, but also pink, orange, yellow, green, brown and even black! There’s plenty to introduce diversity into the garden, but especially onto your plate.

Bursting With Flavor

All this diversity reveals a full palette of flavors. Anyone who still thinks that tomatoes just ‘taste like tomatoes’ clearly has a journey ahead of them. Tangy to the point of being astringent, so sweet we want to make jam with them, or so mild that the palate focuses more on the texture. Many experts point to the indescribable complexity of the so-called “black” varieties, which are more brown than anything else, despite the Photoshop experts. Some even use the Brix scale to measure the sugar level of these precious little berries.

Cherry, Grape, Cocktail, Currant or Sparrow?

While in the past, all small tomatoes were simply referred to as “cherry tomatoes,” more and more tomato enthusiasts are now distinguishing between different sizes and shapes of cherry tomatoes. For example, elongated tomatoes have become grape tomatoes. Those that are slightly larger than cherry tomatoes, say more than 5 centimeters in diameter, but still small, have become cocktail tomatoes.

As for currant tomatoes, they are actually tomatoes from a different tomato species. Our common tomatoes are all grouped under the Latin name Lycopersicon esculentum. Currant tomatoes, on the other hand, are associated with Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium. The most popular variety is undoubtedly the ‘Petit Moineau’ tomato (moineau meaning sparrow in french). Many gardeners who want to enjoy very small tomatoes ask for it directly under this name. “Do you have any moineau tomatoes?”

One of my favorite tomatoes is a currant tomato called ‘Yellow Currant’. There is also a ‘Red Currant’ and a ‘White Currant’. It is a super productive plant that behaves almost like a vine! In fact, the plant can easily reach two meters in height! It must therefore be grown against a vertical structure, so that it can be tied up!

Ultimately, it’s all about size and shape: is the fruit as big as a cherry, as big as a currant, or as long as a grape? Add to that the notion of a “patio” variety, which indicates that the plants are very short and compact, making them easy to grow on a balcony or in an urban setting. The ‘Red Robin’ tomato is a classic among patio tomatoes.

Balcony Friendly

For the urban farmer, miniature tomatoes are extremely easy to grow. In the largest possible containers, never less than 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter, add a specialized potting soil for container growing, enriched with compost. You can also, if desired, add a slow-release natural fertilizer. As with all balcony plants, watering remains the key to a generous production.

Contrary to what one might expect, the majority of miniature tomatoes grow on non-miniature plants. On average, they reach a height of one and a half meters, but occasionally exceed two meters (6 feet). For tight spaces, therefore, it is necessary to look for so-called “patio” varieties, which do not reach more than 30 or 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) in height, which is a very practical format for growing in containers. However, it should be noted that most of these dwarf hybrids have some shortcomings in terms of flavor. For taste, non-dwarf varieties remain unbeatable, and it is possible to grow them on a balcony using a stake and some vertical ties.

Traditional Planting

For planting in the ground, you’ll have to wait until all risk of frost has passed, so around the end of May for the greater Montreal area. Wait until early June for more northern regions. Tomato plants are spaced approximately 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches) apart. Maximum sunlight is essential for flower and therefore fruit production. Regular watering and rich soil will also greatly influence the results.

What if We Started from Scratch?

Surprisingly, tomatoes are easy to grow from seed. The obvious advantage of starting from seed is that you can source unique varieties that are rarely found on shelves. Another advantage of starting from seed is the feeling of satisfaction you get when you harvest the first fruit of your hard work. Regardless of your motivation, the best time to start sowing is early April. Needless to say, this is done indoors.

It’s Ready!

Let’s just say it doesn’t take a ton of brains to know when a miniature tomato is ready for consumption. It’s worth mentioning, however, that a few extra days on the plant maximize flavor and increase the fruit’s sugar content. For green varieties, it’s by touch, when the fruit is slightly softened, that you can distinguish the ripe fruit from the developing fruit.

When children are around, the pleasure of tasting becomes rare. Like birds in a Saskatoon berry tree, they gleefully gobble up every fruit as soon as it blushes with color. It’s no surprise — this is the favorite vegetable of so many young sprouts. All the more reason to grow the tall varieties…