Box Car Willie produces an abundant harvest of large, smooth red tomatoes ranging in weight from 6-10 ounces. Ideal for slicers and also making ketchup, tomato soup, and Caprese salad!
Named for Joe Bratka’s country singer father at the Grand Ole Opry, this New Jersey heirloom tomato variety was developed and named in his honor as it is crack-resistant and produces throughout its long season, perfect for canning, sauces, salads, and tomato juice production.
High in Lycopene
Tomatoes contain high concentrations of the carotenoid pigment lycopene, responsible for their vibrant red hue. Other naturally red foods, including watermelon and papaya, contain naturally red pigmentation, too – providing over 3834 mg in one cup of sliced tomatoes, while an entire pink watermelon provides nearly 7,000 mg! Lycopene has many health benefits beyond simply protecting against sun damage or cancer, such as improving immunity, helping with weight loss efforts, improving eye health, or defending against sun damage to its rich source – making this a fantastic source of protection!
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, as well as improve circulation, lower high blood pressure, and strengthening lungs and muscles. Furthermore, research suggests lycopene may lower prostate cancer risks, inflammation-related illnesses, and cardiovascular disorders and help diabetics maintain normal blood sugar levels.
This perennial heirloom yields 10 to 14 oz fruits with smooth, bright red, crack-resistant skin with tender, juicy traditional tomato flavor and is beloved by gardeners and fresh market growers. Inspired by Grand Ole Opry performer Boxcar Willie, this variety provides excellent disease resistance while making for ideal sauces and paste, canning, or simply adding classic summer salad toppings.
Begin sowing Heirloom/Open Pollinated Box Car Willie Tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in sterile seed starting mix, 1/4″ deep. Germination usually takes 6-14 days at 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit with full light conditions. Once outdoor planting temperatures warm up, transplant 18-30 inches apart into full sunlight with average soil quality (moderate drainage, well-drained areas are best) using Tbs of lime, crushed oyster shells, or eggshells at the bottom of each planting hole to prevent blossom end rot. Water regularly and apply organic fertilizer before harvest time comes around! Enjoy your homemade tomato salsa when ready!
High in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the essential vitamins needed by our bodies, and a rich source can be found in foods like tomatoes. Home gardeners who want to grow this particular heirloom variety box car willie tomato variety will discover great success producing heavy yields of large, juicy, and flavorful fruits that also boast antioxidant-rich antioxidant content, helping fight disease while supporting skin health and keeping us feeling our best! Tomatoes make versatile fruits, from making homemade tomato juice or salsa to being used in various recipes such as sandwiches.
Vitamin C-rich tomatoes play a vital role in many ways, from helping the body absorb other nutrients to strengthening immunity and fighting infections to relieving inflammation, maintaining healthy gums and teeth, improving cardiovascular health, lowering blood pressure, lowering inflammation levels, and helping lower inflammation-related blood pressure levels. Their high Vitamin C content also makes box car willie tomatoes a nutritious addition to salads or other dishes.
To maximize yield from box car willie tomatoes, regular fertilization is crucial. Organic tomato plant food is widely available at nurseries and lawn and garden centers and should also help to retain moisture levels and decrease disease risks. Mulching can help keep this moisture as well as help prevent potential diseases from invading.
Nothing says summer quite like a fresh, juicy tomato. These sweet fruits are an integral part of many summer dishes and can be enjoyed sliced on sandwiches, drizzled with sauce, or added to salads for delicious meals. Tomatoes also hold up well under heat conditions, while their balanced, smooth flavor profile makes them suitable for canning and preserving applications.
Mortgage Lifter tomatoes are another popular selection among gardeners looking for high-yield beefsteak varieties. This indeterminate variety was given its name due to a man using it to pay off his mortgage by gathering four large types, crossing them, and creating this sizeable red variety that produces plenty of rich tomato flavor.
High in Antioxidants
Box car willie tomatoes are not only delicious, but they are also an incredible source of antioxidants that help fight free radicals that damage cells in our bodies and reduce heart disease, cancer, and stroke risk. Plus, their potent anti-oxidant levels make them a powerful defense against inflammation while providing essential potassium and magnesium content in each fruit! They make an ideal addition to any diet.
Boxcar Willie tomato varieties were first developed by Joe Bratka’s grandfather in New Jersey and named after one of his favorite singers at Grand Ole Opry, Boxcar Willie singer of Grand Ole Opry singer Boxcar Willie (also a Grand Ole Opry singer). These crack-resistant tomatoes yield large fruits weighing 10 to 16 ounces with yellow undertones that produce juicy fruits with an old-fashioned acidic tomato taste that truly stands out!
Box Car Willie tomatoes are excellent candidates for canning and preserving, thanks to their delicate flavors that lend themselves to making pizza sauce, plain tomato sauce, and marinara sauce, among many other variations. Plus, their high yield results in satisfying meals like soups and stews!
Box car willie tomatoes provide not only antioxidants but also essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, A, Folate, Potassium, and Magnesium, that contribute to good health in pregnant women and children alike. These nutrients play a crucial role in maintaining optimal well-being – essential, especially during pregnancies and for growth during childhood development.
Growing box car willie tomatoes requires regular irrigation. But you must avoid overwatering; allow their soil to dry out slightly before watering again – use your finger to sense moisture; if it feels dry past your knuckle, it’s time for some steam.
Another critical consideration when planting box car willie is how much sunlight they receive. The amount will depend on your region’s climate; to make sure your tomato plant receives adequate sunlight, plant it somewhere that receives six or more hours of direct sun daily. Also, remember to fertilize them every month using a nitrogen-rich formula to encourage healthy growth and larger fruits.
High in Fiber
Tomatoes are rich in dietary fiber, helping to lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar steady while also aiding digestion, as well as helping prevent constipation and other digestive issues while protecting intestinal health. Tomatoes are also an excellent source of potassium.
Box Car Willie tomatoes are an heirloom variety with heavy yields of smooth red fruits with crack resistance and disease tolerance, making them the ideal choice for home gardeners and farmers’ markets. Due to their excellent production throughout the season and delicious old-fashioned flavor, these tomatoes make ideal candidates for canning sauces and producing tomato juice, as well as being suitable for slicing salads and sandwiches or releasing tomato juice! This New Jersey native also holds its name after one of the Grand Ole Opry singers, Boxcar Willie! An open-pollinated indeterminate tomato variety named after one of its members; an open-pollinated indeterminate indeterminate variety!
