Shamrock

Shamrock Tomato (10-15 seeds)

The "Shamrock" dwarf tomato is a variety developed as part of the Dwarf Tomato Project, a collaborative effort to create compact tomato plants with the flavour and diversity of heirlooms.

• Plant Type: It is a dwarf variety, meaning it has a stocky, thick central stem and a more compact growth habit compared to traditional indeterminate tomatoes. It typically grows to a height of around 100 cm. Despite being a dwarf, it is an indeterminate variety, which means it will continue to grow and produce fruit until the first frost. This is a key distinction from "micro dwarfs" which are even smaller and often determinate.

• Fruit Appearance: Shamrock produces round to slightly flattened, medium-sized tomatoes.The fruit is a "Green When Ripe" (GWR) type, which can be a little tricky for new growers. When ripe, the tomatoes are an emerald green colour with an amber or yellow tint on the blossom end. They weigh around 100-150 grams on average.

• Flavour: The flavour is a strong point for this variety. It's juicy and sweet with a pleasant, refreshing acidity. Also of note is the good, balanced flavour, which is a key goal of the Dwarf Tomato Project.

• Foliage: The plant has "rugose" leaves, a characteristic of many dwarf tomato varieties. The leaves are thick, dark green, and crinkled or puckered in appearance. The foliage is regular leaf, not potato leaf.

• Origin: Shamrock is a stabilised cross between 'Free Red House Standing' and 'Cherokee Green', created by John Biedler and stabilised by Blane Horton in Mississippi, USA.

Growing Tips:

• Space: The compact nature of this plant makes it an excellent choice for containers or smaller garden spaces where a full-sized tomato plant might be too large.

• Support: Although it's a dwarf, its thick stems and heavy fruit set mean the plant can still get top-heavy. It will benefit from some support, like a string, stake or a small cage, especially for the branches to prevent them from falling over under the weight of the fruit.

• Pruning: Unlike many indeterminate varieties, dwarf tomatoes generally don't require extensive pruning. You can let them grow without removing side shoots, which will lead to a higher yield.

• Maturity: Shamrock is a mid-season variety, with fruit typically ripening in about 120 days from seed sowing.

• Ripeness: The most challenging part of growing GWR varieties is knowing when to harvest. The change from a bright green to a more translucent green or a slight amber blush on the bottom of the fruit is a sign that it is ripe and ready to be picked. If in doubt - use the 'gentle squeeze test'.