The Abe Lincoln tomato is a popular heirloom variety, celebrated for its rich flavor and consistent productivity. This guide provides advice for successfully cultivating this particular tomato, ensuring a bountiful harvest.
Understanding Abe Lincoln Tomatoes
The Abe Lincoln tomato is an heirloom, open-pollinated variety first introduced in 1923. This indeterminate variety continues to grow and produce fruit throughout the warm season until frost. Its fruits are typically large, round, and deep red, often weighing between 8 ounces and 1 pound. They are prized for their balanced taste, combining sweetness with a slight acidity, and their meaty texture, making them suitable for slicing, sauces, and canning.
Getting Started: Planting and Site Selection
Abe Lincoln tomatoes require full sun exposure, ideally receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They thrive in well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter, with a preferred pH range between 6.0 and 6.8. Amending the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting improves fertility.
Planting should occur after all danger of frost has passed and when soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F. Seeds can be started indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost, then transplanted outdoors once seedlings have developed two to three sets of true leaves. Space individual plants 18 to 36 inches apart in rows, with rows 3 to 4 feet apart, and plant tall seedlings deeper than normal to encourage root growth.
Essential Ongoing Care
Regular, deep watering is important, especially during dry periods, to maintain evenly moist soil without waterlogging. Drip irrigation is effective as it keeps the soil consistently moist while keeping foliage dry, which helps prevent disease. Applying mulch around the base of the plants conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds.
Abe Lincoln tomatoes are heavy feeders, requiring regular fertilization. When plants are young, a fertilizer with higher nitrogen content is beneficial for leaf and stem development. Once flowering begins, switch to a fertilizer with higher phosphorus and potassium, such as a 5-10-10 or 5-10-20 formulation, to encourage fruit development and flavor. Fertilize every two to three weeks during the growing season to support continuous production.
Abe Lincoln tomato plants require sturdy support systems due to their heavy fruit load. Staking, caging, or trellising helps keep plants upright, prevents fruit from touching the ground, and improves air circulation. Removing suckers can promote better airflow and redirect the plant’s energy towards fruit production.
Addressing Common Growing Challenges
While Abe Lincoln tomatoes show good disease resistance, gardeners may still encounter challenges. Early blight and alternaria stem canker are common tomato diseases this variety shows some resistance to. If early blight appears, removing infected plants and avoiding overhead irrigation can help. Crop rotation is also a good preventative measure against soil-borne diseases.
Environmental issues like blossom end rot, characterized by a dark, sunken spot on the bottom of the fruit, are often due to a calcium deficiency or inconsistent watering. Adding calcium sources to the planting hole can help prevent this issue. Fruit cracking is typically caused by uneven watering. Maintaining consistent soil moisture is the primary solution for preventing fruit cracking.
Harvesting Your Abe Lincoln Tomatoes
Harvesting Abe Lincoln tomatoes at the right time ensures the best flavor and texture. Fruits are typically ready for picking 80 to 90 days after transplanting. Indicators of ripeness include a deep red color, slight softness when gently squeezed, and the fruit detaching easily from the vine.
To harvest, gently twist or snip the tomato from the plant, leaving a small piece of stem attached to prolong freshness and prevent damage. Ripe tomatoes can be stored at room temperature for a few days to maintain their flavor and texture.