Mountain Fresh Hybrid Tomato Seeds

Days to Maturity: 79 from transplant

Determinate

If you live in a wet-summer climate—humid, with late-afternoon thunderstorms all summer long, or simply rainy or cool—chances are you've had a tough time growing tomatoes. Most varieties are pretty fussy about keeping their foliage dry. But Mountain Fresh, developed by North Carolina State University (a part of the country that knows something about humidity) is different. You'll love this easy-care, heavy-bearing midseason beauty, and you'll really appreciate how vigorous and healthy it remains throughout the growing season.

Mountain Fresh is part of NCSU's renowned Mountain series from Dr. Randy Gardner. We think it's tops for adaptability to rainy, cool, and otherwise moist settings. And there's no doubt that the fruit is delicious. Ranging in size from 8 to 16 ounces, these bright red fruits are firm, with a good blend of solids and gels.

Mountain Fresh is a determinate plant, meaning that it has a bushier form (rather than a continuously-growing vining habit) and sets its crop of fruit within a short several-week period. This is useful for anyone planning to store the tomatoes: if you want to can them, freeze them, sun-dry them, or otherwise turn the crop into delicious eating for later, determinate is ideal for you.

This plant is resistant to verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt, which both wreak havoc on more hapless varieties. The fruit is crack-resistant, and the plant is tolerant of root-knot nematodes. In other words, coupled with the tolerance of rainy and cool conditions, Mountain Fresh is one of the most adaptable and tough tomatoes on the market.

Start the seeds indoors 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Plant outdoors when danger of frost is past and night temperatures consistently remain above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If an unexpected late frost is forecasted, protect young plants with plastic sheeting or other cover. Set plants 2 to 2½ feet apart.