Healthier Fruit for a Healthier You: Health Kick Tomatoes
With their distinctive appearance and robust growing habits, Health Kick Tomatoes have become a favorite among gardeners and home cooks alike. These plum-shaped treasures are packed with health-promoting lycopene, an antioxidant known for reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving heart health. Here's everything you need to know about growing and enjoying these nutritious tomatoes.
Scientific Name: Solanum lycopersicum
Best Growing Zones: 8-10
Flower Color: Red
Fruit Shape: Oval
Size: 4 oz
Days to Maturity: 72
Height: 24-30 in
Spread: 24-30 in
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun, at least 6 hours per day
Planting Depth: 1/4 inch
Planting Method: indoor or outdoor (start indoors 8 weeks before last frost)
Flowering Period: Summer
Foliage Type: Herbaceous
Foliage Color: Green
Seasonal Interest: Summer flowering
Watering: Average
Resists: See below for specific diseases
Attracts: Birds, butterflies
Container Roles: Edging, containers, mass planting
Features: Attracts pollinators, low maintenance
Brand: Goodness Grows
Common Name: Health Kick Tomato
Other Name(s): Health Kick Tomato, Paste Tomato, Plum Tomato
Productivity: High-yielding with 4 oz tomatoes
Lycopene Content: 50% more than standard tomatoes
Taste: Sweet, tangy, and high lycopene
How to Care for Your Health Kick Tomatoes
- Prepare the Garden: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Loosen the soil to a depth of 12-16 inches and mix in organic matter such as manure, peat moss, or compost.
- Set Up Your Plants: When the seedlings are 3-4 weeks old, give them complete houseplant food at half-strength, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Transplant into the Environment: Once the weather warms up, harden-off the seedlings outdoors gradually over a week to reduce transplant shock. Place the container in a sheltered location.
- ** watering:** Water the plants thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry. Water early in the day to reduce evaporation.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize the plants at the time of planting and apply balanced or 5-10-10 fertilizer bi-weekly.
- Pruning: Keep the plant pruned to 1/3 of its size to avoid overgrowth and promote healthier fruit production.
- Harvesting: Pick the Health Kick Tomatoes when they are evenly red but still firm, around 75 days after planting.
Growing Health Kick Tomatoes in Small Spaces
If you're short on space, Health Kick Tomatoes are perfect for container gardening. Use an 18-inch pot for the new starter plant. As the plant matures, repot it into a larger container to allow for more roots and space between plants.
Health Benefits of Health Kick Tomatoes
Health Kick Tomatoes are a top-notch source of lycopene, which has numerous health benefits, including the protection of healthy cells against the damaging effects of free radicals, which can lead to chronic diseases. Lycopene also supports heart health and may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer.
Attracting Beneficial Insects
Health Kick Tomatoes attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies to the garden, which in turn help with pollination and seed dissemination. A healthy garden ecosystem is important for healthy plants and ultimately, healthier humans.
Planning for Next Season
Planning ahead is key to a successful harvest. Once you've enjoyed your Health Kick Tomatoes, be sure to save some seeds for next season's garden or share them with friends and family.
FAQs
Q: What do I do if my tomato plant gets too big for its container?
A: If your tomato plant is getting too big for its container, it may need more room to thrive. You can repot it into a larger container with a volume twice that of the current one.
Q: Do Health Kick Tomatoes need to be staked?
A: While you can stake Health Kick Tomatoes to encourage growth and protect it from wind and rain, they are also determinate tomatoes. This means they will produce most of their fruit at one time and will not need stake support once the fruit is mature.
Q: Can I grow Health Kick Tomatoes in a cold climate?
A: Health Kick Tomatoes prefer full sun and are most comfortable in USDA hardiness zones 8-10. If you live in a cooler climate, bring your plants inside when temperatures drop below freezing to protect them from winter damage.
Q: What kind of diseases do Health Kick Tomatoes resist?
A: Health Kick Tomatoes are naturally resistant to several diseases, including alternaria stem canker, fusarium wilt (races 1 & 2), stemphylium gr. leaf spot, verticillium wilt, and tobacco mosaic virus.
Conclusion
Health Kick Tomatoes are a hardy, productive tomato variety that promises healthy eating and a lush garden. Whether grown in the ground or in containers, these versatile tomatoes are a great addition to any agricultural endeavor.
Plant Addicts Guarantee
Each Health Kick Tomato Plant comes with our exclusive Plant Addicts guarantee, ensuring that you will receive a healthy and thriving plant. If for any reason your plant does not meet your expectations, simply contact Plant Addicts within 3 days of delivery for a replacement or refund. Your satisfaction is our top priority.
Looking to expand your garden or start a new garden with Health Kick Tomatoes? Check out our guide on how to care for these tomato plants, and start planning your planting today!
* Information courtesy of Minneopa Orchards.
Please note: The above information is accurate as of the date of publication and may not reflect any changes in the园艺 business or cultivation practices since that time. It is always advisable to consult current园艺 experts for the most current and accurate园艺 advice.
