Upstate Oxheart - new favorite of mine

[jhp]

I was inspired today to post about a new(ish) to me favorite tomato, Upstate Oxheart. I grew it for the first time in 2022 and again 2023. Of course growing it again this year. The fact that it's been invited back says a lot. For reference my staple tomatoes that I grow every year are Brandywine, Spudakee Purple, Cherokee Green, Armenian, Sungold, and Sprite. I'm always looking for a new favorite to add to my main grow every year tomatoes.

In 2022 it was a very dry year and I do water my plants. 2023 was very rainy! Both years Upstate Oxheart did well and produced tasty, large tomatoes. Most over a pound and sometimes over two pounds.

Advertised DTM 84 is days. In my garden last year first ripe came in at 63 days. Anyone else growing this one?

Jen

Now for some pics...

[ddsack]

Looks like a good one, especially with your experience of an earlier DTM. I wonder what the history of this tomato is, had never heard of it before. Sure is a meaty one with few seeds. I don't see it in Tania's database.

[jhp]

I think where I first saw it was Hudson Valley Seed Co (which states 3lbs tomatoes. No, I did not get ones that big). Anyway, they say on their site that a local gardener donated the seeds to them originally. So that's all I know about its origin. I ended up getting seeds elsewhere so as to consolidate my order. I was pleasantly surprised with another good in my garden tomato.

As to the DTM, the plant went in the ground at 8 weeks old. It lived in my greenhouse once potted up until hardening. So that tends to give plants a quicker start getting all that natural light. At least it seems.This is only my second year with the greenhouse Your mileage may vary.

Jen

[CrazyAboutOrchids]

Ohhhhh, Will have to add that to my list of 'must check out for next year' tomatoes!

[jhp]

I went looking through my photos from 2022 for some evidence of a DTM date for that year. I found this pic of the fruit set taken Aug 1, 2022. I picked it a few days later at about 80 days. That was before we had the greenhouse. So we will see how they do this year.

I also found a pic of what I did to try and protect it from squirrels. I forgot that they were taking bites out of my tomatoes that (dry) year. Beau kitty is on the job now, so hope that he keeps the squirrels away. He seemed to last year. Last year crickets were the problem. Grrr...


August 1, 2022


Beau watching the garden in 2023

[ddsack]

Good looking tomatoes, and beautiful cat! He looks a lot like my Maizie, except she has green eyes.

[jhp]

Originally Posted by ddsack

Good looking tomatoes, and beautiful cat! He looks a lot like my Maizie, except she has green eyes.

Beau is an excellent mouser (moler, voler, chipmunker, etc.). My other cat too, she's just not as obsessed as Beau when it comes to hunting.

[MrsJustice]

Originally Posted by jhp

I was inspired today to post about a new(ish) to me favorite tomato, Upstate Oxheart. I grew it for the first time in 2022 and again 2023. Of course growing it again this year. The fact that it's been invited back says a lot. For reference my staple tomatoes that I grow every year are Brandywine, Spudakee Purple, Cherokee Green, Armenian, Sungold, and Sprite. I'm always looking for a new favorite to add to my main grow every year tomatoes.

In 2022 it was a very dry year and I do water my plants. 2023 was very rainy! Both years Upstate Oxheart did well and produced tasty, large tomatoes. Most over a pound and sometimes over two pounds.

Advertised DTM 84 is days. In my garden last year first ripe came in at 63 days. Anyone else growing this one?

Jen

Now for some pics...

Picture of the Year, Amen!!

[jhp]

Originally Posted by MrsJustice

Picture of the Year, Amen!!

Thanks!

[jhp]

I harvested this Upstate Oxheart this weekend. A little on the small side for this variety. I thought it was amusing though. - Jen

[jhp]

First ripe fruit, July 14, 53 days from plant out. Hoping some of the others get bigger, but I'll be happy either way. -Jen

[Father'sDaughter]

Beautiful heart shaped tomato! How's the flavor? Too often I've found the hearts on the sweet/bland side, but always willing to try a new one. I've been ordering a few packs of seeds every year from Hudson Valley Seed Co. and maybe I'll add this one next year if it seems promising on flavor.

[jhp]

I really like the flavor. Taste is subjective though. I see people liking ones I think are insipid, so who knows. It is sweet, but also has a tang to it, in my garden at least. I've given out seedlings, but I never get any feedback, so only have my opinion and my husband's opinion to go by. I guess you could also check the reviews on the website. I don't think I've given away any of these fruits! I'm greedy with the ones I really like. Ha ha! If you grow it, report back!

[Father'sDaughter]

Thank you! The "tang" is what I look for in tomatoes - a little acidity to balance the sweetness. Most heats I've grown are missing it. I'm growing Danko for the first time this year, but none are showing any hint of blushing yet. If I do try Upstate Oxheart next year, I'll circle back with my review on flavor.