Which is the most distinct one you’ve ever encountered among the thousands of tomato varieties? The Oxheart Tomato may top your list if you’ve never seen it before.
Read on to learn what makes these tomatoes so unique and why they’re a great choice for your garden!
Characteristics of Oxheart Tomatoes
Being one of the most unusual tomato varieties, it’s only natural that this fruit has some characteristics that set it apart from other varieties.
Appearance
The Oxheart Tomato is shaped like just that: an ox heart. It’s big like beefsteak tomatoes, but instead of being completely round, it has a pointed bottom, like a heart. This elongated, pear-shaped end is what makes these tomatoes so distinctive.
The color of these fruits is usually a shade of reddish pink, although different varieties can come in other colors, too.
On the inside, these tomatoes have a lot of meaty flesh and very few seeds.
Size
The size of these fruits is part of what makes them special. Oxheart Tomatoes usually range anywhere from one to three pounds. There are dwarf varieties of this fruit as well, which can be smaller, but most are quite large.
Eating Them
How They Taste
Oxheart Tomatoes taste similar to beefsteak tomato varieties. They have a mild flavor with a firm texture. And like many other types of tomatoes, they’re both sweet and slightly acidic.
How to Use Them
Oxheart Tomatoes are great for anything where big, meaty tomatoes are ideal. This includes sauces, salads where tomatoes are the focal point, and more.
Try this salsa recipe, or use these tomatoes in a tasty tomato bisque. Or, stick to a classic tomato marinara sauce.
Health Benefits
Like other tomato varieties, Oxheart Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins and nutrients while also being low in calories and fat.
A one-pound tomato has around 82 calories and less than one gram of fat. It also has about 5 grams of fiber.
Additionally, tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and an important nutrient for cell growth and repair. They’re also high in potassium and have some vitamin K, too.
For more details on the nutritional value of these delicious fruits, visit our blog about Tomato Health Benefits.
Where to Buy Oxheart Tomatoes
These tomatoes aren’t super common, so you may have a hard time finding them in your regular grocery store.
If you have your heart set on this special variety, I recommend visiting local farmers’ markets or contacting tomato growers in your area to see if they have any of these fresh fruits.
And if all else fails, try your hand at growing this tomato yourself!
Growing Them at Home
Growing tomatoes at home is an excellent way to keep a fresh supply, get the variety you want, and enjoy the unmatched flavor of eating the fruit off the vine.
Keep reading for an overview of growing Oxheart Tomatoes in your home garden!
Growing Conditions
Oxheart Tomatoes typically take 80 to 90 days to reach maturity. As they grow, they need plenty of warmth and direct sunlight. They also require soil that is moderate-to-slightly-acidic (with a pH of around 6.0 to 6.5), fertile, and well-draining.
Planting the Seeds
It’s best to plant your Oxheart Tomato seeds in late March or early April. Because it will still be too cold in most climates, this means you’ll likely need to start your tomato plants indoors.
To do so, plant your seeds a one-quarter inch deep in small pots filled with starter soil. Keep the pots in a window that gets plenty of sunlight or under a bright lamp to promote germination.
Once the risk of frost has passed and soil temperatures warm to at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you can transplant your tomato seedlings outdoors.
And of course, if you’re starting with transplant seedlings instead of seeds, you can skip the planting steps above and start at the transplant stage.
When transplanting your seedlings, choose a spot with full, direct sunlight. Make sure to give them enough space to grow, too, as Oxheart Tomato plants grow relatively large. Plant each in spaces two to three feet apart, in rows with just as much space in between.
Watering
When you first plant your seeds, you should water them regularly and keep the soil moist. Once you have seedlings and when you move your plants outdoors, you can reduce the amount of water slightly.
In general, tomato plants should be watered thoroughly. Then, allow the soil to dry out mostly before watering again.
Care and Maintenance
Oxheart Tomatoes are an indeterminate variety, which means they continue to grow throughout the season. While this gives you fresh tomatoes all season long, it also requires a few extra steps to keep the plants healthy.
Oxheart Tomatoes will grow best if your plant is regularly pruned. When it reaches one to one-and-a-half feet in height, look for the “suckers” that grow between the stem and main branches. You’ll want to remove these so that the plant can focus its energy where it’s needed.
Because these tomatoes are indeterminate and quite large, they will also need extra support to keep the fruits healthy. Gently tie the plant to stakes every eight to twelve inches to keep the plant upright.
For more information on caring for your plant, visit our blogs about Pruning Indeterminate Tomatoes and How to Tie Tomato Plants for extra support.
Harvesting Your Tomatoes
Harvesting Oxheart Tomatoes is similar to harvesting other varieties. When the tomato reaches the ideal pinkish-red color and is slightly soft, cut it from the vine and enjoy!
If you need more guidance, check out our article on How to Harvest Tomatoes.
And for even more information or step-by-step instructions on the growing process, visit our post about How to Grow Tomatoes.
Where to Buy Seeds
Oxheart Tomato seeds aren’t always easy to find in stores, but there are plenty of other options. Many online retailers carry this special tomato variety’s seeds and even give you several options to choose from. You can buy great quality Oxheart Tomato seeds from True Leaf Market.
Oxheart Tomatoes: Delicious and Unique
Now that you know all about the Oxheart Tomato, it’s time to add it to your garden. And once you’ve grown these wonderful fruits, you’ll be able to enjoy their numerous health benefits and delicious flavor!
If you’re ready to learn about more distinct tomato varieties, how to use them, and how to grow them, visit our tomato plant page!