Tomato Gold Nugget in seedlings

The 'Gold Nugget' Tomato is an early American variety that produces a multitude of small cherry-sized fruits ranging in colour from golden yellow to saffron. Together, they form a multitude of fairy lights measuring 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, making the garden a magical place in the eyes of children. Round and cute, they are delicious to nibble on directly from the plant or during summer snacks with friends. Their sweet taste also makes them highly appreciated by parents who want to introduce their young children to the taste of tomatoes. It must be said that they look so much like candies. This highly productive variety can be harvested as early as the beginning of summer. With a determinate growth habit, it will reach a maximum height of 80 cm (32in). It can be grown in small spaces such as a patio or a corner of a balcony. Its growth will, of course, not be as vigorous as in open ground but will be sufficiently fruitful to satisfy you. The plants can be planted from April to June, after the last frost, for a harvest from July to October.

The tomato originated in South America and Central America. Several varieties were already cultivated by the Incas long before the arrival of the Conquistadors. The term Tomate comes from the Inca Tomatl and refers to both the plant and the fruit it bears. It is one of the many foods that was taken from the New World, along with beans, corn, squash, potatoes, and chilli peppers. The tomato took considerably longer to reach our taste buds. The reason for this is that it was long cultivated for its aesthetic and medicinal qualities, but it was considered toxic due to its resemblance to the fruit of the Mandrake, another member of the Solanaceae family. It only became a regular part of our diet from the beginning of the 20th century.

The tomato is a perennial herbaceous plant in tropical climates, but it is grown as an annual in our latitudes. It becomes lignified over time and produces small insignificant yellow flowers grouped in cymes that will turn intomtoto fruits. Tomatoes can be grown in open ground but can also be planted in containers on a balcony, especially varieties with small growth.

It is a fruity vegetable that has many nutritional benefits. Low in calories like most vegetables, rich in water, it also contains a very interesting molecule: lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. It is also rich in vitamin C, provitamin A, and trace elements.

In terms of cooking, tomatoes can be consumed raw or cooked in multiple ways: in salads or as appetisers, grilled, stuffed, marinated, preserved, or in sauces. They come in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of this and cultivate several varieties in your vegetable garden to vary your weekly menu!

Harvesting: Harvest times vary depending on the variety’s maturity: early varieties are harvested from 55 to 70 days after planting, mid-season varieties from 70 to 85 days, and late varieties beyond 85 days. Harvesting is done when the tomato takes on its final colour and when its texture, while remaining firm, shows a slight softening. For better preservation, be sure to pick the fruit with its stem. Be careful, immature fruits, stems, and leaves contain solanine and should not be consumed.

Storage: The optimal storage temperature for tomatoes is between 10 and 15°C (50 and 59°F). Refrigeration is possible but alters the taste of the fruits. For longer storage, tomatoes can be preserved, dried, frozen, canned, or cooked into jam. To preserve them, cut your tomatoes in half and collect the juice. Place your halved tomatoes face up on a baking sheet. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar, then bake at a very low temperature for at least an hour. Remove your tomatoes, store them in a glass jar, and cover with olive oil.

Gardener's tip: To limit watering, we recommend mulching the soil with thin, successive layers of grass clippings, mixed with dead leaves if possible. This protection, which keeps the soil moist, also limits weed growth.

Note: Our young plug plants are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before being planted outdoors once the risk of frost is definitively eliminated.