With so many favorites already in our tomato collection, it takes something extraordinary for us to add new ones at this point, and we found that in Blush. A relatively new variety bred by Fred Hempel of Artisan Organics in Sunol, CA (with his then 8yo son in an advisory role), Blush set the bar high for beauty and flavor. The elongated (2.5”), cherry to saladette-sized fruits boast yellow skin with red marbling that gets more pronounced as the season goes on. Even with long hangtime, the thick flesh remains firm, giving a very satisfying toothsome and never mealy bite. The flavor is fabulously sweet, fruity, and complex. Many who have followed us over the years know that we are especially picky about plant architecture. We found blush to have dense foliage, excellent trusses, and a uniform, robust growth habitat that lends itself well to two-leader, Florida weave staking. Beautiful with mixed cherries. Indeterminate. 75 days. UO
Transplant out after danger offrost (50+F nighttime temps).
Note: Don't start too early or plants will be leggy and root-bound! Tomatoes do well in clay to loam soils.
PLANTING DEPTH:
1/8-1/4"
SPACING:
18" spacing in rows 5' apart.
EMERGENCE:
10-14 days @ soil temp 70-85F
LIGHT:
Full sun
FERTILITY:
Medium-Heavy. Prefers well-drained, well-balanced fertile soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5. Note that excess Nitrogen will encourage foliage, not fruit! Low calcium and irregular watering will result in blossom end rot.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Row cover may be used for extra warmth and possible earlier fruit set.
Irregular watering can result in blossom end rot.
Plant deeply to encourage healthy root structure.
Indeterminate varieties may benefit from pruning suckers to encourage air flow, plant health, and energy towards plant top and fruit.
