All of the different tomato varieties on the market these days can be overwhelming. Some tomato variety names, such as Green Bell Pepper tomato, can add to the confusion. What is Green Bell Pepper tomato? Is it a pepper or a tomato? The name of this specific tomato variety can seem confusing, but it is, in fact, quite simple. Continue reading to learn about growing Green Bell Pepper tomatoes in the garden and how to use them.
What is a Green Bell Pepper Tomato?
Green Bell Pepper tomatoes are indeterminate plants which produce medium sized tomato fruits that look and can be used just like green bell peppers. Described as a stuffing tomato, Green Bell Pepper tomatoes produce medium, 4 to 6 ounce (113-170 g.) sized tomato fruit that grows about the same size and shape as green bell peppers. While the fruit looks like any other tomato when young, as it ripens it develops dark green, light green, and yellow streaking or stripes on its skin.
Beneath the striped green skin of these tomatoes is a layer of green, meaty flesh that has a crispy or crunchy texture, again, like green bell peppers – so it’s no secret to how the tomato plant got its name.
The seeds of Green Bell Pepper tomatoes are not the juicy, watery mess of many other tomatoes. Instead, they form along an inner pith, very much like bell pepper seeds and are just as easy to remove, leaving a hollow tomato. Since the fruit of this green tomato variety is so similar to bell peppers, it is excellent to use as a stuffing tomato.
Growing Green Bell Pepper Tomatoes
There are no special requirements for how to grow Green Bell Pepper tomato plants. They require the same care and conditions as any tomato plant.
Seeds should be sown indoors six to eight weeks before the expected last frost. Before planting outdoors, young tomato plants should be hardened off because they can be very tender. Green Bell Pepper tomatoes usually reach maturity in 75 to 80 days. In mid to late summer, they reward gardeners with an abundance of sweet, meaty fruits.
Like other tomatoes, and bell peppers, Green Bell Pepper tomatoes grow best in full sun and well-draining soil. Tomato plants are heavy feeders and will require regular fertilizing through the growing season. This can be done with special tomato fertilizer or just a general purpose 10-10-10 or 5-10-10 fertilizer. Avoid anything too high in nitrogen with tomato plants, as too much nitrogen can delay fruit set.
Tomato plants have moderate water needs and should be watered regularly to produce good quality fruit. However, avoid splash back or overhead watering for tomato plants, as this can help the spread of serious fungal diseases, such as blights.