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Growing Green Sausage Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden

Growing Green Sausage tomatoes from seed is a rewarding experience for home gardeners seeking a unique and flavorful addition to their harvest. To start, select high-quality seeds from a reputable supplier or save seeds from mature fruits. Begin the process indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Use seed-starting trays filled with a well-draining seed-starting mix, planting seeds 1/4 inch deep and providing consistent moisture and warmth around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves, transplant them into larger containers or individual pots to allow for root growth.

When it's time to move the seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, choose a sunny location with well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Green Sausage tomatoes thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit production. Consider adding compost or well-balanced fertilizer during planting to provide essential nutrients for healthy development.

To support the indeterminate growth habit of Green Sausage tomatoes, staking or caging is recommended to prevent sprawling and ensure proper air circulation around the plants. Pruning can also help manage plant growth by removing suckers that develop in leaf axils, redirecting energy towards fruit production. Regularly check for pests and diseases, applying remedies as needed to maintain plant health. Check out our IPM blog post for specific ideas!

In terms of fertilization, consider using a balanced fertilizer with higher phosphorus content to promote flowering and fruiting. Companion planting principles suggest pairing Green Sausage tomatoes with basil, marigolds, or borage to deter pests and attract beneficial insects. Avoid planting them near potatoes or fennel, as they may inhibit each other's growth. For cover crop suggestions, consider planting legumes like clover or vetch between rows of tomatoes to fix nitrogen in the soil and improve overall soil health. These cover crops can be turned under before planting the next crop to enrich the soil with nutrients.

Regular watering is essential for Green Sausage tomatoes, ensuring consistent moisture levels without over watering to prevent issues like blossom end rot. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Harvesting Green Sausage Tomatoes

As Green Sausage tomatoes approach maturity, monitoring their progress will help determine the right moment for harvesting. Watch for changes in skin color, which should transition from green to a yellowish-green hue with streaks of red. To avoid bruising, handle the fruits gently when checking for readiness. Harvest the tomatoes once they display a balance of colors, indicating they are fully ripe but still firm enough to transport without damage. Cut the fruits from the main stem using sharp pruners or clippers, leaving a short stub behind to encourage new growth if the plant continues bearing fruit.

If you prefer to let the tomatoes ripen off the vine, collect them at the "breaker" stage (when only a portion of the fruit turns color) and place them in a warm, dry environment with plenty of ventilation. Monitor the fruits regularly, moving them to a cooler space once they begin to soften. Ripe tomatoes stored in this manner will continue to ripen gradually, developing their characteristic sweetness and flavor.

About Green Sausage Tomato Garden Seeds

Green Sausage tomatoes, also known as Green Sleeves, are an open-pollinated cultivar with small, compact plants that produce higher yields of 4-inch long, sausage-shaped fruits.

These tomatoes have a unique yellow and green bi-color appearance and offer a sweet and tangy flavor, making them versatile for various culinary uses. They can be used fresh in salads to add color or in sauces, and their thick walls make them suitable for paste as well.

These tomatoes are popular among gardeners for their distinctive appearance, flavor, and ease of cultivation due to their compact growth habit. Their unique shape, color, flavor profile, and versatility in the kitchen make Green Sausage tomatoes a good choice for home gardeners looking to add a flavorful and visually appealing tomato variety to their gardens.

Green Sausage tomatoes are an heirloom variety developed by Tom Wagner and are indeterminate plants, meaning they continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season.

Some gardeners report that this variety would be particularly good for hanging baskets, including those unique upside down hanging baskets. It has a naturally drooping or draping habit that adds interest to the garden design.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"When I was going to school for horticulture, we planted tomatoes upside down in 2-liter bottles cut in half that we had suspended with string. It was a very interesting experiment! The tomato plants ended up growing around and upwards towards the light anyway. "

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Guide to Tomatoes

Green Sausage Tomato Seeds Per Package:

• 300 mg packet - Approximately 65 Seeds
• .25 oz - Approximately 1,700 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 6,800 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 27,200 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 108,800 Seeds

Non-GMO Green Sausage Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.