What's the difference between Big Boy and Better Boy tomatoes?

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Q: What is the difference between Big Boy and Better Boy tomatoes? A: Both are hybrid tomatoes that were developed to perform better than “open pollinated” types. Dr. 'Better Boy' was developed by John Peto and Paul Thomas at Petoseed.



Similarly, it is asked, what type of tomato is a better boy?

The Better Boy is a hybrid tomato that is prized by home growers for its median maturity rate (70-75 days), and consistently excellent smooth-skinned fruits with a classic flavor. They are extremely popular thanks to their resistance to Verticillium and Fusarium Wilt.

One may also ask, can You Can Better Boy tomatoes? First and foremost, Better Boy is resistant to Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt and nematodes, often annotated with the initials VFN either before or after the variety name. These varieties are most popular with people wanting to make tomato pastes, sauces, salsas, stewed tomatoes, etc. for canning.

Similarly one may ask, what does a Better Boy tomato look like?

Better Boy Tomato. High yields of smooth skinned, large fruit earn Better Boy a spot as one of the most popular tomatoes grown in the US and as one of our all time best sellers. The fruit has excellent classic tomato flavor with just the right balance of acid and sugar. This is a great slicing tomato.

How big are Better Boy tomatoes?

As an indeterminate tomato, "Better Boy" continues to increase in height until killed by the frost and may reach heights of 4 to 6 feet in warm climates. "Better Boy" requires support for the growing plant and resulting fruit.

35 Related Question Answers Found

Should I prune Big Boy tomato plants?

As a rule, pruning is most helpful for indeterminate tomato varieties — large plants that continue to grow taller and produce fruit until killed by frost. If your goal is to maximize the harvest, prune suckers sparingly. A good compromise is to remove all suckers that grow below the first flower cluster.

How do you take care of a Better Boy tomato plant?

Sun, Soil and Water
"Better Boy" tomatoes thrive and fruit heavily when grown in a spot that gets full sun, with six hours of sun a minimum for good results. They also need fertile soil. When planting, add 2 or 3 inches of compost to the bottom of each hole, along with a handful of bonemeal.

What are Big Boy tomatoes good for?

As its name suggests, the Big Boy hybrid tomato plant, Lycopersicon "Big Boy," is not only tall but produces hefty fruit Some Big Boy tomatoes weigh in at 1 pound or more. The scarlet Big Boy tomato has smooth, round fruit and is often used for sandwich-size slices.

Why are my big boy tomatoes small?


The most common cause for small tomatoes is stressed plants. The soil should be kept consistently moist or the plants may show signs of stress such as wilting, leaf drop or tomatoes that are too small. Many gardeners grow tomatoes in self-watering containers to ensure proper soil moisture for fruit development.

How many tomatoes does a big boy plant produce?

It bears heavily in mid-season, yet the indeterminate vines continue fruiting (though not as heavily) until frost. Plants in our Alabama test garden, where conditions are excellent, have yielded 100 tomatoes each through a 10-week harvest season. Long vines need staking, or grow the plant in a tall cage.

What is best tomato fertilizer?

If your soil is correctly balanced or high in nitrogen, you should use a fertilizer that is slightly lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus, such as a 5-10-5 or a 5-10-10 mixed fertilizer. If you are slightly lacking in nitrogen, use a balanced fertilizer like 8-8-8 or 10-10-10.

What tomato plant produces the most fruit?

Best High Yield Tomato Plant Varieties
  • Cherry Tomato: This delightful selection produces abundant, tiny cherry-like red, deep red, yellow, orange or dark purple fruit ideal for snacking and for salads.
  • Grape Tomato: These small, oblong tomatoes also make perfect snacks and for additions to salads.

Are Better Boy tomatoes high acid?

Other produce, such as peaches and tomatoes, are considered "high acid" and need only be processed in a water bath canner. Tomatoes are considered high acid as long as the pH is below 4.6.

Introduction.
Variety Tomato pH pH of Tomato + Lemon
Row Pack 3.99 3.59

What is the best eating tomato?


Fresh-picked tomatoes have an aromatic, sweet flavor rarely found in grocery store varieties. Some tomatoes taste better right off the vine than others, though. Roma or paste-type tomatoes are meaty tomatoes meant for sauces and cooking. Cherry and heirloom tomatoes usually have excellent flavor when eaten raw.

How do you care for tomatoes?

Tomato Plant Care
  1. Water generously the first few days that the tomato seedlings or transplants are in the ground.
  2. Water well throughout the growing season, about 2 inches per week during the summer.
  3. Water in the early morning.
  4. Mulch five weeks after transplanting to retain moisture and to control weeds.

Are Better Boy tomatoes GMO?

Better Boy Hybrid Tomato Seeds Non-GMO. consistently produces large 12 to 16 ounces. Red, deep globe shaped fruit. Indeterminate, heavy yielding vines.

What is the meatiest tomato?

Beefsteak tomatoes are some of the largest and meatiest tomatoes. They hold together well, are perfect for sandwiches, and are among the best tomatoes for eating raw.

What are the largest tomatoes?

In 1987, Gordon Graham of Edmond, Oklahoma, grew the world's largest tomato ever--a whopping 7-pound, 12-ounce 'Delicious', listed in The Guinness Book of Records. In 1986, he grew a cherry-tomato plant that was 28 feet tall and 53 1/2 feet wide.

Why are my homegrown tomatoes bitter?


There are over 400 volatile compounds in tomatoes that give them their flavor but the prevailing factors are acid and sugar. Maybe you are growing fruit that is particularly acidic that translates as sourness to your taste buds. High acid and low sugar tomatoes tend to be very tart or sour.

Do Determinate tomatoes need cages?

Determinate tomatoes keep a compact bushy size so they don't need cages or staking the way the determinate varieties do. I have never used cages for my determinate plants, but sometimes will stake them as they set fruit if the stems have several tomatoes in one place. This supports the stems more than the tomatoes.

Are Big Boy tomatoes good for canning?

The classic Burpee's Bush Big Boy Tomato is the same large, juicy favorite but has been made even better, especially for small-space gardeners. Excellent yielding tomato with great flavor.