Green Zebra Tomato

The Green Zebra tomato gets its name from characteristic yellow and dark green stripes. Compared to other tomatoes, the taste is a bit tarter.

Introduced in 1983, the Green Zebra tomato was bred by a grower from Washington. Despite being frequently mistaken as an heirloom, this selection is not officially designated as one.

The Green Zebra reaches maturity in 78 days. Plant height is an average 9 feet. Plants produce ample yields of green tomatoes that remain green when mature. The fruits have the old fashioned tomato flavor some of you may recall from long ago. This type is excellent for pickling, salads, sandwiches, and sauces.

As you plan your garden, it is helpful to consider the many factors that affect plant growth. By selecting plants that are suited to your conditions and planting them in appropriate locations, you can prevent many plant diseases as well as disease look-alikes. Proper gardening practices such as adequate watering and fertilizing techniques go along way in preventing potential problems.

Soil

Tomatoes require full sun. The ideal soil conditions are fertile, deep, well-drained soil with a ph level of 6.0 to 7.0. In long season areas, the vegetables may be direct-seeded. However, they are generally started indoors 5-6 weeks before the last expected frost date.

Planting

Set transplants out as close as 15 inches since they will need to be staged or caged. This indeterminate cultivar continues to grow and set fruit all season.

Fertilizer

Do not fertilize plants until they are well established and in full blossom. Then give weak compost tea or fish emulsion. Too much nitrogen results in lush foliage but little fruit.

Watering

Water tomatoes regularly. On the other hand, avoid wetting the leaves.

Cultivating

Use black plastic mulch to prewar the soil in short-season locations. Pruning is not necessary. Mulch helps retain soil moisture but also cools the soil, so do not mulch tomatoes until the soil is well warmed.

Harvest

Pick the fruit when it is evenly colored but still firm. Can, freeze, pickle, or make green tomatoes into chutney.

Pests and Pest Control

The pest tomato fruit-worm also known as the tomato budworm damages many crops, especially in the southern states. Good timing is the most important factor when devising a control strategy for these destructive pests. The adults are large, tan, or grayish-brown moths. Use a pheromone trap to detect their presence. The moths lay hundreds of eggs, although only a few survive to cause destruction.

The next step in controlling tomato budworms from your Green Zebra tomato plants is to kill the larvae. Fill a spray bottle with BT and douse the plants. Repeat the application one week later. Another technique is to use mineral oil. Several companion crops are ideal for repelling tomato budworms including: dill, pumpkins, and marigolds.

Green Zebra Tomato

The Green Zebra tomato comes highly recommended in part for the powerful antioxidant, lycopene found in the fruit. Research shows that men and women who follow a diet high in the antioxidant compound lower their rate of developing cancer.

Tomatoes are the most concentrated food source of the compound. Additionally, cooked Green Zebra tomato products such as tomato paste and sauce are even better sources of antioxidants than raw tomatoes. Other beneficial food providers of lycopene include watermelon and pink grapefruit.

A daily dose of a lycopene supplement helps protect against prostate cancer for men. For women, antioxidant rich tomatoes such as the Green Zebra tomato help guard against cervical and breast cancers. If you are eating lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables, you get even better nutrient absorption by combining them with a small amount of oil such as olive oil on a fresh garden salad or in pasta sauce.

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