How do you grow Champion tomato plants, and how do you ensure a good crop of Champion tomatoes?
If you are passionate about sandwiches and you love a good, fresh tomato in your sandwich, then you’ll love Champion tomato!
General info about ‘Champion’ tomatoes
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- The plant is indeterminate in habit (meaning, it is ‘vining’ or spreading in the way it grows).
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- Champion tomatoes are meaty, sweet, and, in general, seed-free.
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- Champion tomatoes are large and they are early-to-mid croppers. The fruit takes around 65 days to mature.
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- These tomato plants grow well in USDA Zone 3 and generally in warmer Zones. The plants do well in tolerating dry, hot conditions.
- ‘Champion’ is resistant to fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, yellow leaf curl virus, and tobacco mosaic virus.
How to grow Champion tomato plants
Once the last frosts have passed, sow your ‘Champion’ tomato seeds outdoors in spring.
Sow the seeds in soil that is well-draining.
Spacing between each seed/ plant should be around 24-36 inches (60-90cm).
The seeds will, depending on the weather, germinate within seven to twenty-one days.
Ensure that the seedlings are kept moist at all times, but don’t be tempted to drench them in order to make up for a water shortfall.
‘Champion’ tomato plants grow to anything between 4 and 8 feet tall (1.2 – 2.4m). In fact, they may grow even taller than this. Hence the need for support either in stake form or by caging.
If you prefer to use a staking system, K-Brands tomato stacking ladders are ideal for ‘Champion’ tomatoes. These stacking ladders reach a height of up to 72 inches.
K-Brands Tomato Stacking Ladders
And don’t forget your tomato plant ties. These Velcro adjustable plant ties are reusable, gentle on the plant stem, and a great price.
The fertilizer to be used for ‘Champion’ tomato plants should be low in nitrogen. Ideally, something with an N-P-K ratio of around 4-6-8. Or indeed, a 5-10-10 ratio is also good. Try Lilly Miller Morcrop Tomato and Veg Food which is 5-10-10.
Lilly Miller Morcrop Tomato and Vegetable Food (5-10-10)
Be sure to constantly monitor your plants for any signs of diseases or pests.
Read: 7 Beneficial Insects for Tomato Plants
Depending on the prevailing weather conditions, water your plants weekly with about an inch (1 inch) of water (2.5cm).
What can ‘Champion’ tomatoes be used for?
Among the primary uses for ‘Champion’ tomatoes is for sandwiches.
As such, ‘Champion’ is great for slicing, and it’s also great for adding to salad dishes.
However, ‘Champion’ tomatoes are extremely well suited to canning and to cooking as well.
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