Introducing: Tasmanian Chocolate Dwarf Tomato

Hey there friends, neighbors & community. Farmer Tracy here to share some nerdy behind the scenes info about my tomato project this year. I'm growing over 70 different varieties. Yes, a little crazy. I'm aware and I'm OK with it.

Surprisingly (to me), this year one of the things I'm most excited about is Dwarf and Micro Dwarf Tomatoes. Please hear me out before you dismiss the idea thinking that dwarf plants all produce tiny tomatoes. Yes, a few varieties are cherries; but most of the varieties I'm trying are small, medium and full size slicers. *And...NO...these are NOT genetically modified* They are bred to produce all different sizes/shapes/colors/flavors of tomatoes on more compact plants.

One specific breed I'd like to share with you today is called Tasmanian Chocolate. I want to share this with you so you can check it out for yourself--go ahead and do some googling (or whatever browser you use). Please do check out many sites and reviews.

I selected Tasmanian Chocolate because it is a cross of one of my favorite full size, indeterminate plants: Paul Robeson. In 2006, Patrina Nuske Small (in Australia) crossed the Paul Robeson tomato (flavor is described as "rich, tangy, smoky") with New Big Dwarf (a dwarf heirloom dating back to the early 1900s that produces pink fruits that weigh up to 1 pound, with most weighing 8 - 12 ounces each).
My experience so far: We currently have a several Tasmanian Chocolate Tomato plants in the ground inside our high tunnel, outside in buckets and one inside our indoor grow room. Transplanted in mid May, they are currently at 3 - 4feet tall (a couple are taller) each. It looks like they may continue to gain height. Most of them have fruit already set. YAY!

Tasmanian Chocolate in the ground in our high tunnel.

My hand behind the (currently) largest Tasmanian Chocolate tomato fruit set on a big blossom cluster.

This blossom cluster is incredible!!! I can't wait to see how many tomatoes set on it.

To say I'm excited to taste this tomato variety is a VAST understatement. My mouth is watering even as I type this. I'll follow up with my personal review of the flavor, texture, etc. once I've got ripe fruit.

In the meantime, if you are interested in growing Tasmanian Chocolate, you can find some at Polks Folly Market (on the rack) today (Sunday, 6/11/2023) while they last.