Get Stuffed tomato is an indeterminate tomato variety. Indeterminate tomatoes are vines that grow continuously throughout the season, producing fruit steadily until killed by frost. Determinate tomatoes, on the other hand, are bush varieties that reach a mature height and produce all their fruit in a short period of time. Knowing whether a tomato is determinate or indeterminate is useful information for gardeners when planning their vegetable gardens.
What are the differences between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes?
There are several key differences between determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties:
- Plant growth habit – Determinate tomatoes are compact and bushy, reaching a fixed mature size. Indeterminate tomatoes are vining and continue to grow taller throughout the season.
- Fruiting habit – Determinate tomatoes set and ripen most of their fruit at once over a 2-3 week period. Indeterminate tomatoes have a prolonged fruiting period, ripening tomatoes steadily over several months.
- Pruning needs – Determinate tomatoes do not need pruning. Indeterminate tomatoes usually require pruning and staking/caging for best results.
- Yield – Indeterminate tomatoes generally have higher yields over an entire growing season. Determinate tomatoes produce just one large crop.
- Growing seasons – Determinate tomatoes perform better in short growing seasons. Indeterminate tomatoes need a longer warm season to maximize yields.
These differences in growth and fruiting habits make determinate and indeterminate tomatoes suited to different gardening applications. Determinate (“bush”) types are recommended for container gardening or other compact growing areas where the mature plant size needs to be limited. The concentrated fruiting habit also makes determinate tomatoes a good choice where canning or freezing the crop all at once is desirable. Indeterminate (“vining”) types are preferred by most home growers because they have higher total yields and a continuous supply of ripe tomatoes over a longer harvest window. The vining habit does require more space and support though.
What are the key features of Get Stuffed tomato plants?
Here are some of the notable features of the Get Stuffed tomato variety:
- Plant Type – As an indeterminate tomato, Get Stuffed forms vigorous vines that can grow 6 feet or taller if not pruned.
- Fruit Size & Shape – Get Stuffed produces very large, beefsteak-type tomatoes averaging 1 pound each. The tomatoes are round and slightly oblate.
- Interior – The interior of Get Stuffed tomatoes is stuffed with extra seed cavities and juice reservoirs, resulting in a meaty, succulent texture.
- Flavor – These tomatoes are very sweet and juicy with rich, complex flavor. The balance of sugars and acids is excellent.
- Color – When ripe, Get Stuffed tomatoes are a deep red color with dark green shoulders.
- Yield & Season – This is a high yielding variety that ripens fruit steadily throughout the summer. It is also disease resistant.
With its vigorous vine growth, high yields, and long fruiting season, Get Stuffed is clearly an indeterminate tomato variety that will perform best in a long, warm growing season. The large fruit size and succulent texture also require adequate moisture and nutrients for proper development.
How to grow Get Stuffed tomato plants
Here are some tips for successfully growing Get Stuffed tomato plants:
- Start seeds indoors – Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last expected frost date. Grow seedlings under lights or sunny window at 65-75°F.
- Harden off – Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting.
- Transplant outdoors – Transplant seedlings outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Space 18-36 inches apart in fertile, well-draining soil.
- Use supports – Install tomato cages or staking system at time of transplant to support heavy vine growth.
- Prune & train – Pinch off suckers and prune vines to 1-2 main stems. Train vines to grow upright through supports.
- Water & feed – Provide consistent moisture and weekly feeding with complete organic fertilizer to nourish plants and promote fruiting.
With its large fruit size and vigorous growth, Get Stuffed will require adequate spacing for sunlight penetration and air circulation. Supporting the vines prevents sprawling and keeps fruits off the ground. Pruning improves air flow while directing energy into fruit production. Adequate, consistent moisture and soil nutrition are also essential to fuel growth, flowering, and fruit development.
Common pests & diseases
Some common tomato pests and diseases to monitor for include:
- Aphids
- Hornworms
- Whiteflies
- Cutworms
- Blossom end rot
- Early blight
- Septoria leaf spot
- Verticillium wilt
- Tomato mosaic virus
Practice crop rotation, provide good air circulation, and stake/prune plants to prevent disease issues. Identify and control insect pests promptly to limit damage. Choose disease-resistant varieties like Get Stuffed whenever possible.
Harvest & yield
Get Stuffed tomatoes will start ripening fruits around 75 days after transplanting. Pick tomatoes when fully colored but still firm. Expect total yields of 15-20 pounds per plant. Harvest fruits regularly once ripening begins to encourage further production. At season end, harvest all green fruits to ripen indoors or preserve.
How to use Get Stuffed tomatoes
The large, meaty fruits of Get Stuffed make it extremely versatile for fresh eating, cooking, preserving, or selling at market. Enjoy it in or on:
- Salads
- Sandwiches & burgers
- Pizza
- Kabobs
- Salsa
- Soups & sauces
- Canning/freezing
- Farmers’ markets
The extra juicy flesh of these tomatoes needs little embellishment – a sprinkle of salt or drizzle of olive oil allows the rich, complex flavors to shine. For cooking, the meaty texture holds up well to canning, sauces, roasting, grilling, or stewing.
Get Stuffed tomato plant care
To keep Get Stuffed tomato plants healthy and productive through the season, be sure to provide the following care:
- Watering – Supply 1-2 inches of water per week. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to avoid wetting leaves.
- Mulching – Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
- Nutrition – Feed weekly with a complete organic fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas.
- Support – Check stakes and ties regularly to prevent sagging or fallen vines.
- Pruning – Pinch off suckers and prune regularly to guide vines through supports.
- Weeding – Cultivate shallowly to control weeds without damaging shallow tomato roots.
Pay close attention to moisture levels, as inconsistent watering can cause problems like blossom end rot. Adequate, even moisture is especially crucial while plants are flowering and fruits are enlarging. Applying an organic mulch helps conserve soil moisture. Pruning is also vital to direct energies into fruit production rather than excessive vegetation.
Comparison of determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties
Here is a table summarizing some of the key differences between determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties:
| Characteristic | Determinate | Indeterminate |
|---|---|---|
| Growth habit | Compact, bushy, reaches fixed mature size | Sprawling vines, continuous growth |
| Height | 2-4 feet | 5-12 feet |
| Fruiting time | Concentrated over 2-3 weeks | Extended over several months |
| Pruning needed? | No | Yes |
| Staking needed? | Sometimes | Yes |
| Total yield per plant | Lower (around 10-15 lbs) | Higher (15-30 lbs) |
| Best growing conditions | Cool, short seasons | Long, warm seasons |
As shown in the table, determinate and indeterminate tomatoes differ significantly in their growth habits and fruit production. Determinate varieties are naturally compact and complete their lifecycle quickly, making them suited to container gardening or short growing seasons. Indeterminate tomatoes keep growing and fruiting until frost, requiring more space and support but producing higher total yields under favorable conditions.
Examples of popular determinate tomato varieties
Some well-known determinate tomato varieties include:
- Better Boy
- Big Beef
- Celebrity
- Early Girl
- Park’s Whopper
- Roma
- San Marzano
- Sweet 100
These varieties are compact, prolific bushes that ripen most of their (often sizable) crop over a few weeks. Determinate tomatoes like these are perfect for containers, small spaces, and shorter growing seasons in cooler climates. They trade extended harvests for concentrated fruiting and manageable size.
Examples of popular indeterminate tomato varieties
Some favorite indeterminate tomato varieties include:
- Beefsteak
- Black Krim
- Brandywine
- Cherokee Purple
- Get Stuffed
- Mortgage Lifter
- Mr Stripey
- Sungold
These vigorous, sprawling vines can grow quite large but produce tomatoes steadily for months on end. Indeterminate varieties like these are the best choice where space allows, as they yield the most fruit per plant with extended harvests. They require more work pruning and staking but pay off under ideal growing conditions.
Conclusion
In summary, Get Stuffed is an indeterminate tomato variety with vigorous vines that produce high yields of huge, meaty beefsteak-type fruits ideal for fresh eating and cooking. As an indeterminate tomato, Get Stuffed requires plenty of space, sturdy support, regular pruning, and a long warm season to reach full potential. With proper care, however, each plant can supply tomatoes continuously for summer-long enjoyment in salads, sandwiches, sauces, and more. Understanding the determinate vs. indeterminate growth habits helps gardeners choose varieties tailored to their specific growing conditions and tomato needs.
