Disease Resistant Tomato Plants for Michigan

Fusarium and verticillium are the most common tomato diseases.Yellow cherry tomatoes & red plum tomatoes. Diversity image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com

Tomatoes are among the most popular vegetables in home gardens and are good for eating fresh, canning, freezing and drying. Tomato plants also take little space and have a wide range of uses in the kitchen. In colder regions of the country such as Michigan, the growing season is short to obtain a heavy yield. The growing season can be lengthened by starting the plants indoors about five to seven weeks before transplanting into the garden after there is no danger of frost. Fusarium and verticillium wilts are the most common tomato diseases. It is best to use disease-resistant varieties as the best method of control.

Celebrity Hybrid VFFNTASt

Celebrity hybrid is a highly disease resistant variety that resists fusarium, verticillium and nematodes. It is well-suited to the growing conditions in Michigan. The tomatoes are round and red and about 7 oz. in weight. The plants are semi-determinate and produce one large crop, which is ready for harvest in about 70 days. Occasionally some fruit is produced later as well. The tomatoes are very uniform in color with no green shoulders. Start the seeds indoors about six weeks before the last expected frost date. It is best to plant outdoors when all danger of frost has passed and when the night temperatures consistently stay over 55 degrees F. In case of unexpected frost, protect the plants with plastic sheets or other form of cover.

Betterboy hybrid is a disease resistant, beefsteak type of tomato that is large in size and weighs up to 1 pound. The plants are indeterminate and the tomatoes can be harvested in about 70 days after planting. The tomatoes are red, succulent and meaty. The variety is highly resistant to verticillium, fusarium and nematodes. The recommended method for planting is to start the plants indoors about six weeks before the last frost date and transplant outdoors when night temperatures reach a consistent 55 degrees F. In case of unexpected frost, the young plants need to be protected with plastic sheets or other covers.

Bigbeef hybrid is a recommended red beefsteak tomato for the Michigan garden that is highly resistant to diseases, including verticillium, fusarium, alternaria stern canker and gray leaf spot. The plants are indeterminate in growth habit and tomatoes can be harvested in about 70 days after planting. The tomatoes have a meaty texture, traditional tomato taste and average about 10 to 12 oz. in weight. The shape of the tomato is between a deep oblate to a globe. Though the plants are large and vigorous, they can easily be staked and grown in large cages. Start the plants indoors six to eight weeks before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost is past.