Organic 'Gardener's Sweetheart' tomato
Organic 'Gardener's Sweetheart' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the seed company Gaia, a large, firm, sweet, and irresistibly charming cherry tomato with a heart shape.
The 'Gardener's Sweetheart' tomato lives up to its name: it's a gardener's favorite for its beauty, bounty, and flavor. Selected in Maine by Will Bonsall from a cross between a cherry and a pasta tomato, this variety, released in 2014, produces adorable heart-shaped fruits, larger than a standard cherry tomato, with firm , juicy, and pleasantly sweet flesh. Their rich, balanced flavor, combined with their perfect texture, makes them a choice variety for salads, fresh snacks, and heirloom tomato platters.
Indeterminate plants are vigorous , highly productive, and form long, full clusters . The fruit, very resistant to cracking, stores well both on the vine and after harvest—a major advantage for gardeners and market gardeners. 'Gardener's Sweetheart' shines with both its flavor and its sweet, romantic appearance.
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/Carry : Indeterminate, vigorous
Plant height : 150 to 200 cm
Quantity per packet : 25 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Heart-shaped fruit, crack-resistant, modern selection by Will Bonsall
Fruit color : Bright red
Fruit shape : Rounded core
Fruit size/weight : Small to medium (large cherry)
Fruit type : Heart-shaped cherry
Texture/flesh : Firm, juicy, sweet, pleasant
Farming method
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost . Sow seeds 3–6 mm (1/8–1/4") deep in a light potting mix and maintain a temperature of 23–29 °C for germination in 5 to 10 days . Reduce watering and nitrogen during the hardening-off period to produce strong seedlings.
Transplant after all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 60–90 cm (24–36") apart, leaving 120–180 cm (4–6') between rows. Provide full sun , regular watering (level 3), and sturdy staking , as the grape clusters are long and heavy.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the fruit is bright red and slightly soft. To get a head start, pick the fruit that has already begun to color , then let it ripen off the vine at 22°C or higher . Store at 12–21°C and 95% relative humidity .
Usage ideas
• Perfect in salads , thanks to its adorable shape and firm texture
• Delicious as a snack , sweet and refreshing
• Magnificent on a tasting platter , where its red hearts create a sensation
• Ideal for roasted mini tomatoes , concentrating its sweetness
The 'Gardener's Sweetheart' tomato is a modern-day treasure: romantic, sweet, firm, productive, and incredibly charming. A cherry on top that every gardener should grow at least once.
