Northern Exposure tomato is an all around winner: beautiful round deep red baseball-size toms –firm, meaty, flavorful and possessing an impressive shelf life of up to a week after picked. The plant is bushy, well-behaved and determinate (only grows to about three feet). 
Old German tomato was new for me this year, planted as a substitute f0r my all-time favorite Pineapple tomato. I’d have to say Old German is my new favorite as the largest, sweetest and meatiest slicing tomato in the garden this year (and the plant was robust to boot).
A crazy kaleidoscope of yellow, orange and red, it’s almost seedless and packs a dense meaty goodness that makes it my preferred BLT tomato.
Two slices manage to cover half a sliced baguette. 
So many BLTs, so little time...and one should never hold the mayo.
White Wonder is not the most vigorous vine, but I was happy with the ten or so medium to large fruits that found their way to my dinner plate. 
Fourth of July tomato was a real winner, though ripening a month later than its namesake would suggest. It’s juicy and sweet and about the size of a ping pong ball–a perfect salad or snack tomato. The vine is very vigorous, the fruit does not split after rains, and it keeps well, too.
Lemon Boy tomato is a sharp, tangy tasting medium size tomato that adds a nice dimension to fresh eating, salads and salsa.
Amish Paste is the juiciest meatiest paste or Roma type tomato I've ever grown. It's a great fresh eating tomato and not as thick-skinned as most paste tomatoes. I found no need to skin them when I made sauce.
- Boz and Gracie asked that I point out they would rather tap a nap than eat a hothouse tomato. I’d also like to point out that they’d rather take a nap than do a lot of things.
19 responses so far ↓
1 miffala // Oct 5, 2009 at 8:18 pm
YUM YUM YUM…damn, this Jersey Tomato has never seen better!! You or your tomatoes Tommy!
2 Tom // Oct 5, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Thanks Miffy!
3 June@Four Green Acres // Oct 6, 2009 at 3:34 pm
How great, Tom! We did our tomato round-ups on the same day. Mine suffers from the lack of Boz and Gracie photos…and BLTs with mayo. You do know how to live!
I can’t believe you’ve talked me into venturing beyond Sungolds. Not that I’d ever forsake them, no! But the cracking does pester me. Northern Exposure goes on my list. And I’m going to have to grow Old German along with Ruby Gold: Time for a taste test!
I loved this post. Can you tell?
4 M.A. // Oct 10, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Hey Tom-Tom,
Aya has hard green heirloom tomatoes still on the vine. Do you have any tips for either ripening them off the vine or a recipe for green tomatoes. I never bought the idea to fry them. MA
5 Tom // Oct 11, 2009 at 2:36 pm
M.A. me thinks you stumbled on the perfect post for this time of year. Just what do you do with all the green tomatoes and/or how do you ripen them off the vine. Stay tuned!
6 Lyn Frankel // Oct 17, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Thanks for all your great recommendations. If you’ve never tried Paul Robeson, you haven’t lived!
7 Tom // Oct 17, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Lyn, looks like I have another winner to add to my seed order — thanks!
8 Kitchen Butterfly // Oct 20, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Maybe next year, I’ll grow tomatoes again. Last year, I ended up with a tree of green tomatoes in November!!!!!!!! Ended up making jars of green tomato chutney to give away for christmas. These look lovely
9 Growing Tomatoes: When Plants Are All Legs // May 29, 2010 at 4:28 pm
[...] Take a look at my favorites from last year. [...]
10 Late Season Raspberries: Falling for Fall Gold & Caroline // Oct 7, 2010 at 6:38 pm
[...] One year ago: Picking Favorites: Great Tomatoes for Puget Sound [...]
11 karenleigh // Apr 22, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Discovered your tomato post through twitter recently. Just received four Snow White plants I ordered on your recommendation. Can’t wait to see how they compare to my favorite Sungold.
Thank you!
12 Tom // Apr 23, 2011 at 5:44 am
Hi Karen, good luck with the snow whites, I think they’ll do you proud and serve your taste buds well. Cheers, TC
13 Pam // Jul 30, 2011 at 11:33 am
Found your picture while looking for images of Old German tomatoes. I got the plants from an Amish greenhouse this spring, and they are doing well. Wasn’t sure what they should look like when ripe, so your photos really help. Can’t wait to make BLTs!!
14 Pam // Jul 30, 2011 at 11:37 am
Found your picture while looking for images of Old German tomatoes. I got the plants from an Amish greenhouse out here in NW Pennsylvania this spring, and they are doing well. Wasn’t sure what they should look like when ripe, so your photos really help. Can’t wait to make BLTs!!
15 Pam // Jul 30, 2011 at 11:40 am
Well! Sorry for the duplication! Didn’t seem to be working the first time.
16 Carol // Apr 5, 2012 at 9:32 am
Tom,
So happy to hear that “Fourth of July” was on your list of favorites.
Last year, I was so disappointed when I couldn’t find any plants OR seeds at ANY NURSERY in my area of Sea Tac, I pestered Minter’s Nursery, in Renton and they will be carrying Fourth of July plants this year. While there, I will picking up your Northern Exposure, Old German and Amish Paste. I always like to try new varieties OR new old varieties. lol Also love Sun Gold’s but last year was another major “splitting year” for this particular variety (for me).
17 Carol // Apr 26, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Tom – Quick question AND time sensitive.
Just discovered my favorite tomato, “Fourth of July” is AGAIN in short supply. DO YOU HAVE A SECRET SOURCE where these tomatoes are offered in the Seattle area? (or elsewhere) My source, Minter’s Nursery (in Renton) will only be having a few plants and available ONLY IN GALLON-SIZE CONTAINERS in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for any info you might provide.
Carol
18 Tom // Apr 26, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Carol, I got mine last year from the Puyallup farmers market. There’s a woman there called the tomato lady and she has about 60 varieties going. Usually she sets up on the street behind the main Pavilion.
Good luck
Tom
19 Carol // Apr 26, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Tom, Thank you so much for getting back to me re Fourth of July tomatoes. Will definitely check out the Puyallup farmer’s market.
Carol
P.S. Got your recommended “Amish Paste” today, in addition to “Sun Golds”. No Northern Exposures yet. Still too early to expect a decent selection.
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