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Growing Kellogg's Breakfast Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden

For a successful harvest of Kellogg's Breakfast Tomatoes, follow a strategic planting process. Begin by sowing the seeds indoors 7-9 weeks before the last spring frost date, as these tomatoes require a longer growing period. Plant the seeds at a depth of 0.25 inches in well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 6.2 to 6.8. Ensure the soil retains moisture but avoids excess nitrogen, which can lead to more foliage production and less fruiting. As indeterminate tomatoes, Kellogg's Breakfast varieties sprawl and continue growing throughout the season, reaching heights of up to 6 feet. Provide support in the form of cages or trellises to manage their growth. Transplant the seedlings outdoors once the danger of frost has passed, maintaining a spacing of 24-36 inches between plants and 36 inches between rows.

To ensure a thriving crop of Kellogg's Breakfast Tomatoes, diligent maintenance and strategic gardening practices are essential. Regularly monitor the plants for common pests such as tomato hornworms, cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, fruit worms, and whiteflies. Additionally, keep a vigilant eye for diseases like blossom end rot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, late blight, bacterial canker/spot, and tobacco mosaic virus. A consistent watering schedule is crucial to prevent issues like blossom end rot and cracking. Companion planting can be beneficial for Kellogg's Breakfast Tomatoes. Consider planting basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums nearby, as these plants can help deter certain pests and enhance the overall health of the tomato plants. Crop rotation is another valuable practice to prevent the buildup of soil-borne diseases. Furthermore, providing support in the form of cages or trellises is crucial for indeterminate varieties like Kellogg's Breakfast, ensuring the sprawling vines have proper support for optimal growth. Prune the plants selectively to encourage air circulation and reduce the risk of disease. Regularly fertilize the soil with a balanced blend that includes phosphorus and potassium, which tomatoes favor. Mulching around the plants helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain a consistent soil temperature.

Harvesting Kellogg's Breakfast Tomatoes

Harvesting Kellogg's Breakfast Tomatoes requires careful observation and attention to key indicators. Being an indeterminate variety, these tomatoes continue to produce throughout the growing season, allowing for a staggered harvest. The optimal time for harvesting is generally 70 to 80 days after transplanting. To determine ripeness, closely monitor the color of the tomatoes; when they reach a vibrant orange or yellow hue, and their skin is firm to the touch, they are ready for picking. Gently grasp the tomatoes, and using a sharp pair of pruning shears or scissors, cut the stem about a half-inch above the fruit. This method prevents damage to the plant and neighboring tomatoes. Harvesting regularly, once the fruits have achieved their mature color, encourages the plant to redirect energy into producing new fruits. For an indeterminate variety like Kellogg's Breakfast, it's important to continue harvesting ripe tomatoes as they appear, ensuring a continuous supply throughout the season. By harvesting promptly and regularly, you'll enjoy a prolonged period of flavorful, high-quality tomatoes for salads, slicing, or any culinary creation of your choice.

About Kellogg's Breakfast Tomato Garden Seeds

Kellogg's Breakfast Tomato, an heirloom variety, has a rich history rooted in West Virginia, where it was introduced by Darrell Kellogg in the mid-20th century. This tomato gained popularity for its unique attributes, including a thin skin, pale orange color, and a distinctively deep and rich flavor. Named for its origins and the morning meal, Kellogg's Breakfast Tomato has become a cherished heirloom variety among gardeners and culinary enthusiasts.

While this variety wasn't specifically bred for a particular trait or growing climate, its resilience and adaptability make it well-suited for a range of conditions. Kellogg's Breakfast Tomato thrives in warm climates and is suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Its indeterminate growth habit allows for continuous harvesting, contributing to its popularity among home gardeners.

An interesting fact about this tomato is its thick-walled, meaty texture, which makes it excellent for baked tomatoes. The vibrant orange and yellow hues add visual appeal to various dishes, enhancing the culinary experience. The variety's vines can reach up to 6 feet tall, so providing sturdy support, like a cage or trellis, is advisable to accommodate its growth.

While Kellogg's Breakfast Tomato can be grown in containers, its preference for a full sun environment and potential height make it more suitable for larger containers or garden plots. Hanging baskets may not provide adequate support for the plant's growth habit, so it's recommended to cultivate this tomato in a well-supported garden setting.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"To boost the natural sweetness and flavor of Kellogg's Breakfast Tomatoes, try incorporating a technique known as "sun-ripening." As the tomatoes approach maturity, leave them on the vine for an extra few days under abundant sunlight. This extended exposure to sunlight encourages the fruits to accumulate more sugars, intensifying their taste and enhancing the overall sweetness. Ensure the tomatoes are well-supported on the vine, and regularly monitor their ripening progress. This simple yet effective method can elevate the flavor profile of Kellogg's Breakfast Tomatoes, providing a delightful culinary experience."

- Chelsea Hafer, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Guide to Tomatoes

Kellogg's Breakfast Tomato Seeds Per Package:

• 300 mg packet - Approximately 65 Seeds
• 0.25 oz - Approximately 1,700 Seeds
• 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 6,800 Seeds
• 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 27,200 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 108,800 Seeds

Non-GMO Kellogg's Breakfast Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.