VegetableTomato
Bonny Best Tomato
Bonny Best is a storied heirloom tomato that shaped American canning for nearly a century. Selected from Chalk's Early Jewel by George W. Middleton and introduced in 1908, it became one of the most respected canning varieties in the nation's first half. Today it's increasingly hard to find, overshadowed by modern hybrids that prioritize yield over flavor. The plant produces medium-sized, round, red fruits that are meaty, firm, and loaded with flavor, reaching maturity in 70-79 days from transplant. Hardy in zones 3-10, this indeterminate vine thrives in full sun and handles the heat well, making it both a reliable producer and a fine slicer.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
TypeIndeterminate
Spacing
24
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-10
Size
96in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Bonny Best earned its reputation through genuine flavor and reliability, not marketing hype. The fruits arrive ripe in under 80 days, with minimal seeds and that firm, meaty texture that makes them exceptional for both canning and fresh slicing. This variety tolerates cooler climates better than many heirlooms, opening doors for northern gardeners. The indeterminate growth habit means consistent harvests throughout the season, and the plant's proven disease resistance to Fusarium Wilt, Verticillium Wilt, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus keeps it productive even in challenging seasons.
Common Uses
Bonny Best excels in canning and sauce-making, where its meaty texture and natural flavor shine. The firm flesh means it doesn't collapse into mush during the cooking process, and the minimal seed content translates to less work when preparing sauce. Its balanced flavor also makes it a fine all-purpose slicing tomato for fresh eating and salads, though its reputation rests primarily on its canning performance.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, planting them at the depth specified for tomato seeds. Maintain warm temperatures to encourage germination.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after the last frost date has passed and nighttime soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows. Bury the transplant stem slightly deeper than it grew in the pot, as tomatoes can develop roots along the buried stem for a stronger plant.
Harvesting
Bonny Best tomatoes mature in 70-79 days from transplant. Pick fruits when they reach a deep, uniform red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. The fruits are medium-sized, typically 6-8 ounces. Harvest regularly throughout the season to encourage continued production. For canning, pick fruits at peak ripeness when they're full red but still firm.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety, Bonny Best produces growth throughout the season and benefits from selective pruning to manage vigor and improve air circulation. Remove lower leaves once the plant is established to reduce disease pressure. Some gardeners remove suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to direct energy toward fruit production, though this is optional. Focus on maintaining strong support and keeping the base of the plant open to air flow.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Growth Habit
Indeterminate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Bonny Best emerged from careful selection by George W. Middleton, who chose it from the established Chalk's Early Jewel variety. In 1908, Walter P. Stokes seed house introduced it to the market, and it quickly became a cornerstone of American home canning and commercial processing. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, it held its place among the nation's most respected canning tomatoes, trusted by families and small producers alike. The variety represents a specific moment in American seed culture: when heirloom varieties were bred for genuine utility and flavor rather than shipping durability or cosmetic perfection. Its gradual eclipse by modern, high-yield hybrids reflects a larger shift in agriculture away from taste and toward convenience, making its survival in seed catalogs today an act of preservation.”