Arkansas Traveler Tomato

Arkansas Traveler Tomato is an heirloom, open-pollinated tomato variety bred and developed by the University of Arkansas. It was released in 1971 and has been a favorite by many since. This variety performs well in southern climates where heat and humidity are extreme, but also has been noted to produce exceptionally well in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest. It is drought and heat-tolerant and will continue to produce into the summer months in most areas. Arkansas Traveler is an indeterminate tomato variety with plants that can grow 5′ tall. Fruits are medium-size and average 6-8 ounces at maturity. Arkansas Traveler Tomato is crack-resistant with a mild flavor and pink coloration. This is a great variety for sauces or slicing into fresh wedges for salads or roasting.

Tomatoes are in the nightshade family along with peppers and eggplant. Plants in the nightshade family are susceptible to blossom end rot, which is a result of a calcium deficiency. To prevent or alleviate this problem, apply pelleted gypsum at the base of the plant at bloom set. Tomatoes do best when transplanted, as the germination time can be longer than most vegetable seed. They grow very well in our heavy-duty seed starting trays. Plants should be started 4-6 weeks before the intended outdoor planting date.

If conditions outside are favorable, transplants may be planted directly from our 162 cell trays. If conditions are still too cold for planting tomatoes, transplants may be “stepped-up” to 4″ pots to allow more room to grow. Tomatoes can produce heavy fruits and will require some form of support to keep the plant upright. This ensures that plants and fruits stay off the ground, reducing the possibility of disease and keeping fruits clean.

Arkansas Traveler Tomato Planting Information

Planting Method: transplant

When to Plant: after last frost

Planting Depth: 1/4″

Seed Spacing: 2′

Row Spacing: 3-4′

Days to Maturity: 80

Disease Tolerance: None