Before so many people in the U.S. decided a pandemic would be a good time to grow backyard vegetables, I ordered a few tomato seed cultivars. The seed packets arrived in time to still start some plants indoors. One of the cultivars I’m trying is ‘Micro Tom’.
This dwarf-determinate is considered to be the “world’s smallest tomato.” I planted ‘Micro Tom’ in a sunny spot next to our porch, but within a week I decided I would rather plant an indeterminate tomato in that spot instead, So ‘Micro Tom’ got relocated to one of my annual beds where it sits alongside some small marigolds.
The plants grow only 6 to 8 inches tall and are supposed to provide 1-inch red fruits. My little plant had a tomato starting on it already, but earlier this week I discovered it sitting abandoned a few feet away with a tiny bite taken out of it—I’m guessing a hungry chipmunk is responsible.
I would at least like to taste one tomato from this adorable little plant before the critters get all of them, so out came the fencing.
‘Micro Tom’ was bred for container and patio gardening, and the fruits ripen in as little as 50 days