'KC-146' Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Origin: Riverton, New Jersey

Improvement status: Cultivar

Seeds per packet: ~30

Germination tested 11/2023: 93% (Below standard)

Life cycle: Annual

This is the original, world-famous Campbell's Soup Company soup tomato, bred in New Jersey by Campbell's breeder George B. Reynard and released in 1956. The tomato soup can painted by Andy Warhol in 1962 no doubt was full of these tomatoes, which were once grown by farmers across southern New Jersey. Today, this rare commercial heirloom is mostly grown by home gardeners in the region where it was developed. The fruit itself is globe shaped, with a sweet-and-sour flavor making it more than suitable for fresh eating, canning, or cooking. A great sandwich slicer. Productive, semi-determinate plants with mid-season maturity.

GROWING TIPS: Start seeds indoors in March or early April, transplant outside after danger of last frost. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart. They will benefit from a trellis or tomato cage. Full sun preferred.