Description
| Seeds | 25 seeds $1.99, 100 seeds $4.75 |
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Mrs. Bot’s Italian Giant (Red Large Slicing/Beefsteak)
Heritage: Veneto Region, Italy
Our thanks to John Bot of King City, Ontario for sharing his seed and family heritage with us. This wonderful heirloom was originally cultivated in Castelfranco, Veneto region of north-eastern Italy. The seed arrived in Canada with John’s mother, Mrs. Bot, in 1986. In 2003 we had the opportunity to begin growing this beautiful variety of tomato, and have continued to grow from those first original seeds ever since.
Note: We have noticed from other on-line pictures and descriptions, that the Mrs.Bot’s variety has somewhere along the seed saving chain, acquired an extreme amount of ruffles, more robust shapes, and in some cases a larger seed cavity.
Our original seed produces tall plants with a good supply of slightly flattened fruits 4-5” (10-13cm) in diameter. Yes, there is some folding along the top shoulders of the tomato, but not a ruffle, and not enough to cause any indentation to the body of the fruit itself. Skin is bright red with juicy, meaty flesh containing few seeds. Flavour is that true old-fashioned, heavenly tomato taste. Honestly, it’s hard to stop eating them. John says his mother uses this versatile variety as both a slicer and a sauce-maker. Every year we are far too raptured with fresh eating to save any for sauce! Good producer for a beefsteak variety. Indeterminate. Matures in 80-90 days. (310 seeds/g)
Largest Mrs. Bot’s Tomato we grew: 14.5oz = almost 1 lb = 410g
Indeterminate plants are tall and sprawling continuing to grow and produce fruit until they are eventually killed by frost. This could be your preference if you are looking for a few tomatoes ripening at a time throughout the entire growing season. However, “a few” will vary with the variety you choose. It could mean three-four at a time for the larger varieties, or fifty-sixty at a time for the smaller crudités.
Tips for Growing Tasty Tomatoes!
Tomatoes are heat loving plants that can adapt themselves to almost any growing zone providing there is ample sunshine and the season is long enough to allow the fruits to fully mature. Start seeds indoors in small pots 6 weeks before last frost date by planting them just below the surface of the soil. As the weather warms, harden-off the plants by setting them outside in the sun for a few hours each day. When the ground has fully warmed and the season has stabilized transplant to a sunny area of the garden. Remove all yellow leaves and any buds or flowers that have formed. This allows the plant to concentrate on developing a good deep root system in its new home. Plant deep burying the stem up to the first set of leaves. Plants should be at least 12-18” (30-45cm) apart to allow for ample circulation and room to grow. Most tomatoes do best when support is provided either by using poles, cages or trellising. The most suitable companion plants for tomatoes are; asparagus, chives, onions, parsley, marigolds and carrots. Do not plant near potatoes, corn, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Tomatoes usually germinate within 5-7days (75-95ºF/24-35ºC).
