BUSH OR CORDON?
Shimmer is a cordon variety (indeterminate) of tomato and therefore grows best if it is pruned. It can also be grown as a bush tomato without pruning although the foliage becomes crowded and this method of growth can encourage problems with fungal diseases.
APPEARANCE AND TASTE OF SHIMMER TOMATOES
A very attractive looking tomato with bronze and light red streaks. The shape, as the picture shows, is more conical than round shaped with a pronounced end tip. Size is slightly larger than a cherry tomato with a predicted weight of 1.5oz / 45g.
‘Shimmer’ Tomatoes
This variety is claimed to suitable for growing in a greenhouse or outside. One problem area for growing outside may be the height which Burpee (the US distributors) claims to be 7ft to 8ft high. On the other hand, another US distributor claims the height to be 4ft to 5ft. It may well be possible to restrict the height by careful pruning, only time will tell.
Reports differ on whether this variety is a cooking tomato or both a cooker and an eater. All claim the taste to exceptionally good and sweet.
WHEN TO SOW SHIMMER TOMATO SEED
The key dates for sowing and planting out Shimmer tomato seeds are given below.
The dates displayed below are correct for the UK average. If you want them to be even more accurate and adjusted for your area of the UK click here. It only takes a minute and the adjustment affects every date in this site and lasts for six months.
We do not recommend sowing seed of this variety directly in the ground.- Sow seeds in pots indoors
Second week of March - Pot up young plants
Second week of April - Harden off young plants
First week of May - Plant out young plants
Third week of May
WHEN TO HARVEST SHIMMER TOMATOES
Shimmer produces tomatoes mid season. This variety is a cordon type tomato and if they are pruned in that way you can expect to be picking your first tomatoes in the third week of July
If you need any more information on growing this variety,
click here to go to our main tomato page.
For other tomato varieties which we have fully reviewed, click the drop down box below, select a variety and then click the More Information Button.
SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS OF SHIMMER
F1 OR OPEN POLLINATED?: F1 and will not grow true from saved seed.
GROWTH TYPE: Cordon, best pruned
WHERE TO GROW: grows very well outdoors, can also be grown under cover
USE: Salads, sandwiches, sauces and by itself (to be confirmed 2019)
SKIN COLOUR / TEXTURE: Bronze and light red, thin skins
FLESH COLOUR: Not known, suspected to be red
TASTE AND TEXTURE: Claimed to have good sweet flavour
STORAGE: Average storage life of a week or two
TOMATO SIZE: Slightly larger than cherry tomato, conical shape
REGULARITY OF CROPPING: Not known
AWARDS: None
SPECIAL FEATURES: New in the US for 2018, hopefully to be available in the UK in 2019
Other varieties which may also be of interest include:
| ALICANTE |
CRIMSON CRUSH |
| GARDENERS DELIGHT | RED ALERT |
COMMENTS / QUESTIONS LEFT BY OUR READERS
Sometimes our readers ask specific questions which are not covered in the main article above. Our
Outdoor Tomatoes comment / question and answer page
lists their comments, questions and answers. At the end of that page there is also a form for you to submit any new question or comment you have.
When and How to Sow Tomato Seed
Ongoing Care
Pruning Tomatoes
Pest and Disease
Tomato Nutrient Defficiency
Save Tomato Seeds
Tomato Variety Review
Tomato Question and Answer
SHIMMER TOMATOES
The tomato variety ‘Shimmer’ was first released in 2018 but it was almost exclusively only available in the US. When we checked in late June 2018 it was only available as a seed from Pennard Plants. Too late for 2018 UK season.
Shimmer was a finalist in the RHS Plant of the Year at the 2018 RHS Chelsea flower show. This article is more of preview of the variety because we have not yet grown this variety. We will attempt to get hold of seeds in 2019 and update the article