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'Better Boy F1' Tomatoes |
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| Sub-Category: |
Standard
Main-Season
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| Sub-Category 2: |
| | Description: |
Hybrid. Main-season standard tomato with deep-red, 1-pound or more, firm, globe-shaped, crack- and blemish-free fruit. Indeterminate plants. Resistant to alternaria stem canker, fusarium wilt 1, gray leaf spot, nematode and verticillium wilt.
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| Days To Maturity: |
72-82
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| Seed Sources: |
Gurneys Seed & Nursery Co. - updated in 2019
Henry Field's Seed and Nursery Co. - updated in 2013
Totally Tomato - updated in 2011
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| Rating Summary |
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Overall: (3.8 Stars)
Taste: (3.6 Stars)
Yield: (4.3 Stars)
Ease/Reliability: (4.4 Stars) |
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| Reviews |
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Login to share your Review of Better Boy F1.
Number of Reviews: 18
KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease
Reviewed on 10/06/2022 by
SoCalCarol
- An intermediate gardener
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 Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Orange, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| They will always be in our small garden. Two plants produce lots of nice size picture perfect fruit with great flavor—too many for our family, so our neighbors reap the rewards. I start from seeds and the plants always grow so strong and healthy. Share plants with friends and the neighborhood school garden. Love them! |
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Reviewed on 04/17/2017 by
lizmom
- An experienced gardener
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 Overall
 Taste
Yield
Ease
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Franklin, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| "Worse Boy" is very like Big Boy ----- except for the main thing: taste. Worse boy tis not worthwhile when Big Boy is available. |
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Reviewed on 04/02/2011 by
Melos Antropon
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Van Buren, Michigan, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| Any gambler will tell you \"There is no such thing as a sure thing\". True. But Better Boy VFN is as close as it gets. Strong, vigorous plants. Good fruit set, but chilly and HOT weather dependent (like most tomatoes). Very good disease resistance, as advertised. Crack resistant. No BER in my experience. No \"cat-face\" until late season weather vagaries kick in, and very little then. EXCELLENT flavor. Big main season fruits. Single gripe: Later season fruits are uniformly small, though that\'s probably something stupid I\'m doing - the flavor of the ripened \"golf balls\" is still excellent. As with most Indeterminate, absolutely need caging or staking. But overall, if you need two words: Delicious, reliable. Delicious, reliable. Did I mention \"Delicious, reliable?\" |
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Reviewed on 11/01/2009 by
TheFluffyOne
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Kane, Illinois, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| Even though a heirloom snob, I always include BetterBoy in my plantings. It has what I consider real tomato flavor, yields well, is a very consistent producer and basically serves as a back up tomato or a gap filler for the heirlooms, which seem to come in bunches. One of the very nice things about BetterBoy is it is an extremely good keeper, retaining its quality off the vine for weeks. This works well when I get my flushes of heirlooms, as BetterBoy can just sit there waiting. I do a lot of drying, and find it very accommodating in this regard. This is an all around great tomato. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\n++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\nUpdate for 2010. Well this year I violated my own guidelines as indicated above and did not plant BetterBoy. It was a huge mistake. I grew 12 varieties of tomatoes and 33 plants, and even with 12 varieties I had gaps in harvest, tomatoes would come in bunches and all at the same time and then a week or two without something ripening. BetterBoy has always been consistent for me a few blossoming and ripening each week with a few flushes of harvest, the long shelf life always insured I had a good tomato around when needed. But this year, like a fool I did not plant it out as I was excited about my new heirlooms and not wiling to yield the space. I am truly the king of idiots.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\n***********************************************************\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\nUpdate fro 2012...2012 was a rough, rough year for tomatoes. Several varieties such as Cherokee Purple, KBX, Red Brandywine grew well but never produced any fruit. among those, surprisingly was Better Boy. It grew, seemed to suffer worse than the Open Pollinated (OP) in the drought and heat and did not set fruit. That was sort of pathetic given it was nestled between a new OP to my garden called Amana Orange which produced heavily and flourished in the heat and drought.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\n++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\nUpdate 2018\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\n-----------------\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\nI am still growing this but I am less and less sure why. BetterBoy just does not seem to produce like it use to and the flavor does not seem so tomatoey. . Also it does not seem any more disease resistant than my heirlooms. I think when i finally run out of seeds (it may take many years) I will not purchase anymore. I suspect something has changed. My seed source is Burpee. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\nI am dropping my rating for overall and ease/reliability by one star each.+++++++++++ 2020 update. I did not grow this in 2019 or 2020. Can\'t say I missed it. The last few times I grew it, it seemed to have lost some of the flavor, productivity and the disease resistance did not matter in my garden. I might grow this again until I run out of seed, but the seed is pricey for a mediocre tomatoe or if I start canning as I note it makes a good blend with Opalka and Amish Paste. Lowering my taste rating from 5 starts to 3. |
| | | 1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.
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Reviewed on 04/29/2009 by
bartlesman
- A novice gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| Easy to grow from seed. |
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Reviewed on 01/12/2009 by
Keeper
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| This is a reliable variety in my area. It has never failed to produce good looking tomatoes even under adverse conditions. Having planted many varieties of tomatoes for over thirty years. I can tell you that if you do the basic things (see this link http://www.hffinc.com/Tomatoes.htm) you will have success with almost any variety you choose. I would also highly recommend the use of black plastic or landscape cloth for weed control. In New England during July and August weeds can overtake your garden in three days. |
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Reviewed on 05/08/2008 by
alang
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Onondaga, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| I've tried several varieties of tomatoes to complement the consistent performer Jet Star. And I've settled on Better Boy because of it maturing early enough to beat the Fall frost, having really good size and flavor, and being problem-free. |
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Reviewed on 12/27/2007 by
rwkrieger
- An intermediate gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Prince William, Virginia, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| This is a great all around tomato in my Northern VA garden and I'm mostly a Heirloom snob! The taste isn't as great as some heirlooms but its miles ahead of any store bought and it's easy to grow in my experience. I highly recommend Better Boy as a back up or for newbies. |
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Reviewed on 02/22/2007 by
Philcoman
- An intermediate gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| Yielded extremely well in my garden with fresh soil and compost. Large, firm fruits. But the taste was on the bland side. |
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Reviewed on 02/15/2007 by
Lewis
- An intermediate gardener
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Overall
Taste
 Yield
Ease
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Cumberland, Illinois, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| Better Boy variety grew quite well in my garden, until the beginning of August. After that, it did not do well in the heat and dry of the summer. The plant continued to grow, but in spite of my watering regularly, the fruits grew with splits in them. I still used them for making canned tomatoes, but they did not look good enough to serve straight to the table. Also, all 4 of my plants did not produce as many tomatoes and I thought they would. They were below average in yield, and only average in taste. |
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Reviewed on 08/23/2006 by
dloweatl
- An intermediate gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Polk, Iowa, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| Lots of fruit on the vine and the tomatoes were plenty big. Would have won prizes at the state fair for looks. Not as tasty as some varieties. Had four plants, three were great, the fourth was the tallest and healthiest looking and produced zero tomatoes (I have been growing tomatoes 20 years and that has never happened). |
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Reviewed on 04/27/2006 by
Perdidojim
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Escambia, Florida, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| Tomatoes are very hard to grow in my soil because of disease, but of the eight to ten varieties I've tried, Better Boy does the best. I've tried a couple of the varieties that receive lavish praise for flavor, but neither ever produced a fruit in my garden - disease gets them first. I'd love to taste one of those super-tasting tomatoes, but none of my friends can grow them either. I guess I need to drive to the North to taste one. |
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Reviewed on 04/24/2006 by
danceswithferrets
- A novice gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| This is a very vigorous plant, that has a very high yield of perfect looking red tomatoes. No splitting, no cracking, no disease. However, if flavor is important, you may want to pass this one up. In spite of it's better attributes, to me it has only slightly more flavor than what you find at your local grocery store. I don't really care how healthy and productive it is if it's lacking in flavor. It's very easy to grow and is dependable. |
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Reviewed on 12/22/2005 by
dgtucker1417
- An intermediate gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Jefferson, Kentucky, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| This is a very good variety for any gardener. It has a great taste, easy to grow and maintain, and no didease problems. Grow it!!! |
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Reviewed on 01/27/2005 by
Mike48858
- An intermediate gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Michigan, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| Very vigorous plants. High yields. Excellent foliage cover for the fruits. Very good taste. Produces right up until frost. My favorite large tomato. |
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Reviewed on 01/21/2005 by
tomatopest
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| Plants grew easily, but fruit was scarce. First fruits were around 85 days and only about 6 ounce. Plant tolerant to early blight. Total fruit per plant was only around 10 or under. |
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Reviewed on 01/21/2005 by
maternut
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Tennessee, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| This is one I allways grow. Good yield and taste. |
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Reviewed on 10/25/2004 by
russell
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Ontario, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| Excellent main season variety with good taste and high yields. Fruit are firm and free of shoulder cracks. |
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