I distinctly remember eating my first ripe, green tomato. It came in a Costco pack of a cherry tomato medley, and I remember setting them aside at first thinking they were not ripe. Then I had a short debate with one of my friends as to whether or not they were edible, and decided to try one - not that this was a high risk endeavor. It was surprisingly sweeter, yes sweeter, than the rest of the pack and I knew as soon as I started my first garden that I just had to grow myself some green tomatoes.
My first year growing tomatoes I grew two green varieties, Green Zebra and Aunt Ruby's German Green, and these are the only 2 tomato varieties that I've grown each year since. They are very different in taste, size, and maintenance, with Green Zebra being much more manageable and easygoing. Each year I start 8-12 Green Zebras from seed and they are usually one of my first tomatoes to be claimed by friends, family, and neighbors when I given away the starts in the spring.
Why I grow Green Zebras and you should too:
The wow factor. They are a beautiful slicing tomato with dark green stripes and a yellowish tint between the stripes when ripe. The Green Zebra will brighten up almost any dish and has enough flavor to easily stand on its own.
Speaking of flavor, the Green Zebra packs a really nice citrus flavor with just enough sweetness. While not as sweet as the Aunt Ruby's German Green, Green Grape, or Sungreen Cherry, it is very well balanced and perfect for culinary uses as opposed to just snacking.
It is compact. I grow the Green Zebra in 7-10 gallon grow bags and it takes up minimal space. It is great for those with limited garden space or those wanting to grow their tomatoes on a patio. And while technically indeterminate, it seems to be more semi-determinate - I've also seen conflicting seed descriptions from sellers on its determinate vs indeterminate status.
They are low maintenance and require minimal pruning and upkeep. Just plant it, fertilize as necessary, and watch it grow.
Green Zebra is a mid-season variety, which makes them ideal in the Seattle climate which has late springs and cool, summer nights. Our cooler climate extends the days to maturity and makes many late-season varieties impractical (or unreliable) to grow.
I hope this tomato becomes a staple of your garden too, and if you have any questions or want to share your own experience growing this tomato then feel free to drop a comment or reach out to me directly!
Comments