One of the best parts of having a garden is getting to try unique vegetables.
The White Tomesol tomato is just that – unique. This cream-colored heirloom beefsteak tomato is sure to wow your friends and family.
Keep reading to learn all about the White Tomesol tomato!
Looking for White Tomesol tomato seeds? Check availability.
History of the White Tomesol Tomato
There’s not a lot of backstory to White Tomesol.
We know that the heirloom variety gained popularity in 1998. That’s when Dorothy Beiswenger of Minnesota featured it in the Seed Saver’s Exchange annual yearbook.
Characteristics of the White Tomesol Tomato
Ripening Season
The White Tomesol tomato takes approximately 80 days to mature. So, it’s a great late-season addition to the garden.
Appearance and Size
The White Tomesol tomato is well-known for its rare yellowish-white skin. When maturing, the tomato can also display a blush pink color on the bottom of the fruit.
Pair that with the fact that this large beefsteak can reach 16 ounces at maturity.
It’s an indeterminate tomato, and the vines tend to have high yields of fruit. So, you can enjoy lots of mature tomatoes over the course of the season.
Taste
The flavor is subtle and sweet, which is versatile enough to go in many dishes.
It’s an especially good choice if you love slicing tomatoes.
Planting Zones
White Tomesol is hardy in USDA zones 3-11.
Ideal temperatures are between 75 and 95 degrees. But, this tomato plant is hardy down to 40 degrees.
Since it thrives in hot weather, start your tomato seeds indoors if you have a short growing season.
Size and Spacing
This vining tomato plant can potentially reach six feet in height.
Leave at least 24 to 36 inches between plants. This will allow enough space for air to flow around the foliage and fruit.
Remember: your tomato plant will need a steak, trellis, or tomato cage in place for proper support. This keeps the vines from becoming too heavy and breaking.
Learn more about staking tomatoes.
Pollination
The White Tomesol tomato is open-pollinated. So, pollination occurs naturally through the wind and beneficial insects.
You can save seeds from this year’s tomatoes to have identical fruits next year.
Plant Care
Let’s discuss the ins and outs of growing the White Tomesol tomato.
Sunlight
This variety is full-sun, so plant it in an area that receives at least eight hours of light per day.
Water
Tomato plants require between one and two inches of water per week.
Water tomato plants two to three days per week during the hot summer months. Remember to adjust your watering schedule based on any rain received.
When watering, water deeply at the base of the plant. Avoid getting water on foliage or fruit.
Soil
Tomatoes love slightly acidic soil (6.0 to 7.0 pH) with lots of organic matter mixed in.
Mix composted organic matter into the top six inches of soil to amend your soil.
Fertilizer
Tomatoes need a healthy amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Hoss Organic Fertilizer is a great choice for keeping your tomatoes happy.
You can also consult our Ultimate Tomato Fertilizer Guide for more fertilizer options.
Pruning
It’s a great idea to prune indeterminate tomato plants during the season. It reduces the potential for disease and gives your plant enough room to produce healthy fruit.
You can do this by removing the suckers on the plant while they are still small.
The sucker is the small shoot between the main and fruiting stems. It will usually be growing at a 45-degree angle.
Learn more about pruning tomato plants.
When to Harvest
Harvesting is part of the growing process we all look forward to most!
The White Tomesol tomato takes around 80 days to reach maturity. To test for mature fruit, observe the color. The tomatoes should be yellowish-white, not green.
The fruits will be slightly tender but not squishy.
To remove the fruit from the vine, gently pull on the tomato. Or, you can twist the tomato from the vine.
If you’re hesitant to remove the tomato by hand, cut the stem above the fruit with sharp pruning shears.
Enjoying the White Tomesol Tomato
Eating Raw
The best way to eat a beefsteak tomato is raw!
While they’re fresh, slice the tomato to use on sandwiches and hamburgers. You can also dice them and add them to salads.
Cooking
Luckily, the mild flavor of this tomato works well in cooking, too.
Try adding this white tomato to stews and gumbos. The large tomato size is also good for stuffing.
Recipe Ideas
With your harvest of White Tomesol tomatoes, give one of these recipes a try:
Panko-Crusted Beefsteak Tomatoes
New Orleans Gumbo with Shrimp and Sausage
Health Benefits
Not only are they delicious, but tomatoes are also great for you.
Tomatoes are full of antioxidants and vitamins. In each serving, you can look for vitamin C, potassium, lycopene, and vitamin E.
Tomatoes are known to improve skin health, immunity, and heart health.
Where to Buy White Tomesol Tomatoes
You likely won’t see these unique tomatoes at the grocery store. But you may get lucky at the farmer’s market during the growing season!
Where to Buy White Tomesol Tomato Seeds
White Tomesol tomato seeds can easily be found online at retailers such as Amazon.
We also recommend checking with your local seed swap groups. You can often find these groups on Facebook. This is a great way to get seeds that you know will grow well in your zone.
Wrapping Up
Think outside the box this season with the White Tomesol tomato! It’s a fun way to incorporate beefsteak tomatoes into the garden. And you might just be the only one in your neighborhood with cream-colored tomatoes!
Are you interested in learning more about tomatoes? Get all the growing tips and recommendations from our Guide to Tomato Plants.