Jet Star Hybrid Tomato Seeds

Days to Maturity: 72 from transplant

Indeterminate

Love tomatoes but hate the acid bite that sits so unpleasantly on your stomach? Jet Star was made for you. A classic variety that has been delighting gardeners for years, these large, juicy, flawless globes have a mild flavor that will satisfy your tomato cravings without upsetting your digestion.

Each 12- to 16-ounce fruit on this sturdy vine boasts a low-acid content. Acid is the element that makes tomatoes unpalatable to many folks, because it can be hard on the stomach. With Jet Star, all you get is mild, scrumptious flavor inside a crack- and blemish-free fruit that looks every bit as delicious as it tastes.

Chances are, if you've ever bought tomatoes from a roadside stand, they were Jet Stars. It's far and away the most popular variety for "curb" markets, because of its mild flavor, beautiful appearance, and ease of growth. These indeterminate vines grow vigorously, are resistant to verticillium and fusarium wilt, and yield up HUGE numbers of glowing red fruit over a nice long season.

Jet Star is made for eating fresh, but also works beautifully as a canned tomato. Just add a little lemon juice for acidity (it's necessary in canning) and you're on your way to year-round good eating.

Start the seeds indoors 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Plant outdoors when danger of frost is past and night temperatures consistently remain above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If an unexpected late frost is forecasted, protect young plants with plastic sheeting or other cover. Set plants 2 to 2½ feet apart.