Bonnie Original
- Sun: Full sun
- Harvest Size: 6 to 8 ounces
- Days to Harvest: 75 days
- Plant Size: 3 to 5 feet
- Plant Type: Indeterminate
This is the one that Bonnie employees grow. A flavorful favorite for decades, Bonnie Original is a medium-sized, disease resistant tomato that will bear until frost. This delicious tomato behaves in the garden, too, being less apt to outgrow a standard, large tomato cage.
Plant tomatoes in spring (after danger of frost is passed) through early summer. If you shop early, you may also keep the plants in a sunny windowsill for a week or two until the weather warms. If you plant early, protect plants from cold with a row cover.
Disease resistance: VFN. Plant spacing: 24 to 30 inches apart. Plants per person: 2 to 3.
Secrets to Success »
Plant deeply, so that two-thirds of the plant is buried stem and all; it will sprout roots. This makes the plant more resistant to drought and other problems. Fertilize when planting and during the growing season with Bonnie Herb & Vegetable Plant Food.
Water regularly. Tomatoes need steady watering to develop to full size and to prevent blossom end rot. To keep the soil moist, mix compost into planting holes, and mulch around the plants after the soil warms. Watering with a soaker hose is best to keep leaves dry. Wet leaves encourage disease.
Support plants on stakes, tall trellis, or sturdy wire cage to keep fruit off the ground. This also helps prevent disease.
Harvest and Use »
Slice tomatoes for sandwiches and quarter in salads. Real tomato lovers will savor slices alone with just a little salt. The red tomato is considered a “superfood” for its wealth of vitamins and antioxidants, including cancer-fighting lycopene.
Try These Garden Companions »
- Bush Early Girl (determinate) or Early Girl (indeterminate) for the earliest harvest.
- Big Beef, Goliath, Park's Whopper, or Red Beefsteak (indeterminate types) for large tomatoes.
- Bonnie Grape, Juliet, Sun Sugar, Super Sweet 100, Yellow Pear, Chocolate Cherry or any cherry tomato that bears all season.
- Sweet basil for tomato-and-basil salad or sandwich.
- Black Prince, Mr. Stripey, Lemon Boy, and Pink Girl for tomatoes of contrasting colors.