A recent addition to the tomato world is the "grape" tomato. The shape, size, and sweet taste of grape tomatoes is similar to the fruit on grapevines. Oblong-shaped fruits weigh between 1/3 to 3/4 of an ounce and are produced in clusters of up to 30 or 40. The culture of grape tomatoes is similar to other tomatoes. Planting, fertilizing, and other cultural information can be found in extension publication PM 608, Tomatoes . Grape tomatoes are reported to be almost crack-free, increasing the yield of edible tomatoes.

Some grape tomato cultivars include 'Gabrielle', 'Mini Charm', 'Summer Sweet', 'Sweet Olive', 'Grapette', and 'Green Grape'. (The fruit of 'Green Grape' remain green at maturity.)

A few mail-order sources of grape tomatoes are listed below. Check local garden centers for available plants. Johnny's Selected Seeds 184 Foss Hill RD. RR1 Box 2580 Albion, ME 04910-9731 Park Seeds 1 Parkton Ave. Greenwood, SC 29647-0001 Totally Tomatoes 335 S. High St. Randolph, WI 53956 Twilley Seeds 121 Gary Rd. Hodges, SC 29653

So, when your neighbors ask where you found out about grape tomatoes just tell them you heard it through the grapevine.

This article originally appeared in the May 24, 2002 issue, p. 71.