Thickskinned

[codswallop]

Why do the tomatoes that you buy to-day have such inedible thick skins?I thought perhaps that it was the way they were massed produced,but I've grown my own with the same results.Does any one know of a tomato seed/supplier that doesn't have this problem? Thanks!!!!

[Clanad]

Some of it can be due to the type or varietal of tomato your growing. Hybrids tend to be thicker skinned as do the Roma types grown primarily for sauces.
Additionally, dry or very hot summers tend to produce thick skinned tomatoes, even if you're watering the garden regularly, according to one source... The tomatoes are trying to retain moisture, which, in turn cause skin thickening...

[codswallop]

Thanks Clanad for that very explanatory answer,without going through all the seed catalogues could you recommend a seed/supplier?

[Clanad]

My apologies, codswallop, but I live in the western U.S. Let me say that I have really good results with what we call "heritage' tomatos. They are not hybrids and tend to produce somewhat less per plant than the usual hybrid varieties we see today. Most of them originated perhaps over a hundred years or more ago and have retained their natural 'stand-alone' vigor (and taste). Some of them are odd... my favorite is the 'Cherokee Black', which is nearly (as the name implies) a black fruited variety... quite large and extremely tasty. You might check for seeds or plants from a good gardening store for this and other older, pure strain tomatoes...

[codswallop]

Jeez Clanad!!! I knew this site was wide spread but I never thought that it was far as you.Thanks for the info I'll bear the points you made in mind when I go through the seed catalogue (from the UK).