The Summerlast tomato is a popular and reliable choice for home gardeners, especially well-suited for container gardening in smaller spaces like patios or balconies. It offers fresh, homegrown tomatoes with relative ease throughout the growing season.
Understanding Summerlast Tomatoes
The Summerlast tomato is a modern hybrid, distinguished by its compact, dwarf determinate growth habit, typically reaching 37-40 cm (15-16 inches) in height. It produces medium-sized, dark red, cherry-type fruits, weighing around 45 grams each, with a generally sweet flavor.
It has inherent disease resistance, particularly against late blight and Tomato Mosaic Virus (TMV). This helps the plant maintain healthy, dark green foliage well into late summer. While some sources indicate it as indeterminate, most describe it as a dwarf determinate variety, ideal for containers. Additionally, the Summerlast exhibits heat tolerance, allowing it to continue setting fruit even in warmer conditions where other varieties might struggle with blossom drop.
Growing Summerlast Tomatoes
Seeds are typically sown indoors under glass, about 0.5 cm deep, from March to April for greenhouse growing or April for outdoor planting. An ideal germination temperature ranges from 18-21°C (64-70°F). Seedlings can be transplanted into individual pots once they are large enough to handle.
For outdoor planting, wait until all risk of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 10°C (50°F). Summerlast tomatoes thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. They prefer good quality, well-draining soil, which can be amended with organic material. When transplanting, plant the seedlings deeply, burying a portion of the stem, as tomatoes develop roots along the buried stem, leading to a stronger root system.
Consistent watering is important for Summerlast tomatoes, especially when grown in containers. Aim for about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week, applied deeply at the base of the plant to encourage robust root growth and prevent issues like blossom end rot. Mulching around the plants helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto lower leaves.
As heavy feeders, Summerlast tomatoes benefit from regular fertilization with a high-potash feed once the first fruits begin to set. Summerlast plants generally do not require side-shooting, but staking or caging provides support for the developing fruit and keeps plants upright and off the soil.
Benefits of Growing Summerlast
Summerlast tomatoes offer several distinct advantages for the home gardener. Their notable late blight and TMV resistance ensures plants remain healthy and productive for an extended period, often well into late summer, providing a longer harvest season and simplifying care by reducing the need for extensive preventative measures. The variety’s heat tolerance allows consistent fruit setting even during high temperatures, ensuring a more consistent yield, particularly in warmer climates. Its compact, dwarf habit also makes it an excellent choice for small spaces, enabling gardeners to enjoy fresh tomatoes from containers on patios, balconies, or windowsills.