Whether you’re an experienced gardener or you’re planning your first garden, you’ll want to put the Sweet Million Tomato on your to-grow list! This delicious tomato is an all-around favorite and will continue to produce all season long.
Read on to find out what makes the Sweet Million Tomato unique and ways you can use it in the kitchen.
Attributes of the Sweet Million Tomato
Because the Sweet Million Tomato is naturally resistant to many tomato diseases, this is the perfect variety for a new gardener to grow.
A hybrid variety bred to improve the traditional Sweet 100 tomato, a Sweet Million Tomato can range in size from a cherry to a golf ball.
Explanation of an Indeterminate Tomato Variety
Indeterminate tomato varieties continue to grow in height throughout the entire season. It’s important that you tie the vines to support them, as the tomatoes will weigh the branches down and can cause damage.
Difference Between a Cherry and a Grape Tomato
Cherry tomatoes are incredibly sweet in comparison to grape tomatoes. They have a higher juice content, and often, the skins aren’t as thick as a grape tomato, making them the better tomato to cook with.
The Unique Taste of the Sweet Million Tomato
The Sweet Million Tomato measures a 7.1 out of 10 on the Brix scale. It has the perfect combination of sweet and acidic – it’s sure to be on your to-grow list for years to come!
Health benefits of tomatoes
A tomato a day keeps the doctor away; that may not be a saying you hear often. But that doesn’t mean tomatoes aren’t good for you!
They are packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, K, and more. Some studies have even shown they prevent heart disease and can reduce the risk of cancer.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, plays a big part in helping to keep us healthy by helping our immune systems ward off diseases and illnesses.
Vitamin C
Speaking of our immune systems, Vitamin C also plays a very important role in supporting our immune system to help treat the common cold. Vitamin C also supports the overall health of our bodies, including cardiovascular functions.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a natural compound found in many fruits and vegetables, giving them their pigment. Known as one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, lycopene is known to prevent many forms of cancer and other serious diseases.
Because lycopene is still effective when heated, it’s easy to add this important vitamin into our everyday diet in the form of tomatoes.
How to use the Sweet Million Tomato
While the Sweet Million Tomato is delicious on its own for a quick snack, there are many other ways it can be used in your favorite dishes and preserved too!
Sweet Million Cherry Tomato Orzo Salad
A quick dinner made with fresh produce from the garden? Yes, please! This Cherry Tomato Orzo Salad is sure to satisfy your taste buds – it can be eaten alone or paired with some summertime burgers!
Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad
Companion planting experts say that basil and tomatoes are excellent when planted together. If you feel up to it, try planting basil with your Sweet Million Tomatoes this year. When you do, be sure to try this Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad to enjoy your harvest!
Quick-Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce
There isn’t anything quite like the taste of summer in the middle of winter. This Quick-Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce is a great way to preserve that incredible fresh garden taste to enjoy over warm, cozy pasta this winter. Be sure to check out the preservation options at the end of the recipe!
Growing a Sweet Million Tomato
While Sweet Million Tomatoes are commonly found at your summertime farmers market, growing it yourself is the most rewarding way to enjoy this delicious tomato. After being initially sown, you’ll start seeing the literal fruits of your labor in only 55-65 days!
Seed or Seedling
When planning to grow, one of the first decisions you need to make is if you plan to start your plants from seed or purchase a seedling plant.
Not only are tomato plants easy to start from seed, but it’s also much more economical! Check out this guide to planting tomato seeds.
Planting
If you started your plant from seed, you’d want to plan to transplant your tomato plant outside 6-8 weeks after it was sown indoors, and there are no more risks of frost. If planting more than one plant, be sure to space them 12-15″ apart.
Supporting
Remember that Sweet Million Tomatoes is an indeterminate plant, so they’ll continue growing and vining the entire season. You’ll want to have supports to tie your plant onto so that it’s given the best chance of production.
Fertilizing
Tomato plants usually only need to be fertilized twice – once when planting and again when they start to flower. Too much fertilizer can result in large plants with small fruits.
Protecting
Different growing zones not only mean different climates, but each zone also has its own pests and diseases to keep in mind. It’s important to keep an eye on your entire tomato plant – inspect the leaves, watch for wilting, and ensure the flowers aren’t falling off after they bloom.
Harvesting
The day you’ve been waiting for – harvest! It may be tempting to start harvesting when you see the fruits begin to turn red. While you can harvest at this time and allow them to ripen on their own, the best flavor comes when you allow the tomatoes to vine-ripen.
You’ll know they are ready to be picked by the vibrant red color, and incredible tomato aroma, and with a simple tug, they’ll fall right off the vine into your hand.
Where to Buy Sweet Million Tomato Seeds
If you choose to grow your plant from seed – you’ve got this! Once harvest time comes, you’ll have an incredible sense of pride knowing you saw it through to completion. Your Sweet Million Tomato seeds can be brought right to your door while you continue to prepare your garden plan.
Be Sure to Give the Sweet Million Tomato a try!
Whether you decide to buy or grow a Sweet Million Tomato, it’s sure to become a favorite. Its sweet, acidic flavor will have you coming back for more.
If you’re looking for other tomato varieties or more information regarding a specific stage of growth, check out our tomato page.