A cross of one of my other favorite tomatoes, Bendigo Moon wowed with impressive production.
The picture above is Bendigo Moon (larger) beside its parent, Snow White (smaller).
Last year, I received a packet of dwarf tomatoes as a free with purchase with a different tomato seed order. I'd heard of dwarf varieties but never given them much thought, however as I researched the variety in the packet I received, I discovered a plethora of other dwarf tomatoes. Among them, Bendigo Moon, one that immediately won my heart.
Last year was my only year so far to grow Bendigo Moon tomatoes but if that's any indication, I'm sure I'll be over the moon about this variety once again. It grew in about half shade and still produced like mad.
It was created by the Dwarf Tomato Project as a cross between Snow White cherry, last weeks' favorite tomato feature, and another test breed. Read about Snow White.
As a child of the Snow White tomato, it has many of the same characteristics. Bendigo Moon tomato is a little different because, with two-ounce fruits, it produces tomatoes about twice the size of Snow White. The plant stays significantly smaller though, capping out at 4-5 feet tall.
A tomato connoisseur might detect a slight difference in the taste of Bendigo Moon. When tried side-by-side with its parent, Bendigo Moon is slightly milder with a faintly sweeter finish.
A few facts about yellow cherry tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are great for small spaces and containers
I normally grow more cherry tomatoes because I have a smaller garden, nestled onto a small lot in suburbia, and because I have the heaviest of heavy clay soil, which forces me to grow in containers.
Cherry tomato plants need about as much space to grow as beefsteak or slicing tomatoes, but they do a million times better in containers. The reasons for that are a post for another day (making a mental note to come back and do that), but I've been doing this a long time and I can attest to how much simpler it is to care for cherry tomato plants in containers.
Ironically, I didn't grow this dwarf variety in a container. I was out of room when I started these seeds so I tucked them into an empty spot in my front flowerbed. However, based on experience, I would be comfortable putting three of these plants in a 20-25 gallon container, which is one more than I would put in a container that size if planting traditional cherry tomato plants.
Yellow tomatoes are still acidic
Something that draws me, and a lot of people, to the flavor of yellow tomatoes is the sweeter notes they leave on my palate. This is very true of Sun Gold tomatoes.
The acidic notes are less present in their flavor but if you're on an acid restricted diet don't let this trick you. Yellow tomatoes have the same Ph, or acid content, as any other tomato, regardless of how they taste.
Why I love Bendigo Moon tomatoes
While just as mild as its parent (Snow White), this has a bit of a sweeter aftertaste
Light color adds contrast to dishes, especially with other tomatoes
The size makes them easier for slicing in half, which many recipes call for
Just like all tomatoes, their antioxidant properties are good for me
They're prolific
These grew well in a spot that would have been too shady for other varieties
Just the right balance of tender flesh and juiciness
Bendigo Moon Tomato Facts
Indeterminate growth habit that tops out at about 4-5 feet
Grape type (about 2 ounces)
Open-pollinated (Seeds can be saved)
Very pale yellow, almost ivory, when ripe
Created by the Dwarf Tomato Project
A few months ago, I reviewed my experience with all the dwarf varieties I grew. Read it here.