Organic 'Box Car Willie' Tomato
Organic 'Box Car Willie' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, a smooth, juicy, reliable and wonderfully versatile red-orange variety.
The 'Box Car Willie' tomato is a heirloom variety highly prized for its consistency , pleasant flavor , and versatility in the kitchen . Indeterminate, vigorous, and productive, it yields beautiful, smooth, round, and uniform medium-sized red-orange fruits with juicy, well-balanced flesh. It is also distinguished by its excellent storage capacity indoors after harvest, making it a great tomato for extending the enjoyment of the garden.
With its mild, full flavor that's neither too acidic nor too sweet, 'Box Car Willie' is perfectly suited for salads, slices, quick dips, and everyday use. A reliable and easy-to-grow variety, it's perfect for gardeners looking for a classic, bountiful red-orange tomato.
Companion plants : Basil, parsley, carrot, asparagus, alliums, celery, borage, marigold, calendula, mint, sage, peppers, dill (until mature)
Negative plants : Potato, corn, kohlrabi, beetroot, fennel, peas, squash
Spread/carrying : Undetermined, productive
Plant height : 150 to 200 cm
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Very uniform fruit, good shelf life, balanced flavor
Fruit color : Red-orange
Fruit shape : Round, smooth, uniform
Fruit size/weight : Average
Fruit type : Table tomato / all-purpose tomato
Texture/flesh : Juicy, sweet, balanced flavor
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting out . Cover the seeds with 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") of light potting mix and maintain a temperature between 23 and 29 °C for germination in 5–10 days . Then reduce water and nitrogen during hardening off to produce strong seedlings.
Transplant when all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 60–90 cm (24–36") apart, with 120–180 cm (4–6') between rows. Grow in full sun , water regularly ( level 3 ), and provide sturdy support , as this variety produces abundantly.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruit turns a bright orange-red and becomes slightly soft. To advance the season, pick those that have already shown their first color , then let them ripen off the vine at 22°C or above . Store at 12–21°C , under 95% relative humidity , for optimal post-harvest preservation.
Usage ideas
• Perfect sliced , for sandwiches, burgers and salads
• Delicious in fresh sauces or light simmered dishes
• Reliable for canning thanks to its consistent texture
• Very good cooked simply , roasted or sautéed
The 'Box Car Willie' tomato is a simple, reliable and tasty heirloom variety: an excellent everyday red-orange, easy to grow and pleasant to cook with.
