John Baer Tomato

75 days, indeterminate — The vines are hardy and very productive. Its fruit are red in color, almost perfectly globe to flattened-globe shaped, range from two to twelve ounces averaging about six ounces each, have smooth skin with firm, solid flesh, and an excellent flavor.

Originating from a single plant of 'Bonny Best', it was developed through fifteen years of selection^[4] by market grower and seed producer Mr. John Baer of Baltimore County, Maryland. Having already developed the 'Greater Baltimore' tomato and releasing it through the J. Bolgiano Seed Company of Baltimore, Mr. Baer submitted this variety to Bolgiano who introduced it to the public in 1914 naming it in honor of its creator, 'John Baer'.^[1,2]

It became very popular among home gardeners and was quickly added to the seed catalogs of many companies. The Grand Junction Seed Company of Grand Junction, Colorado dedicated a lot of space in their 1919 catalog to espouse all of the reasons why folks should grow the 'John Baer' tomato. They stated:

At one time was a leading canning variety. By the late 1930s, it had become the leading canning variety in New York, Michigan and southeastern Wisconsin where it consistently out-yielded other varieties.^[3]

It should be noted that many seed companies list 'John Baer' and 'Bonny Best' as the same variety. This is incorrect. Although very similar due to their close genetic relationship, 'John Baer' is generally earlier to harvest. Our stock was grown out from USDA accession number PI 270192. Each packet contains approximately 20 seeds.