OUR FAVORITE RED TOMATOES - Good Earth Garden Center
Transcription
OUR FAVORITE RED TOMATOES - Good Earth Garden Center
OUR TOMATOES 2015 It is always hard to decide which of the 10,000 + varieties to grow. We don’t grow all of them every year, so you might not see the one you were looking for, but you won’t be disappointed. With 104 varieties (all grown organically from seed, by us) you are sure to find a tomato for your garden. This year 72 of them are heirlooms or open pollinated. If there is a variety you would like to see, let us know! We think we have good taste, but we love your feedback! TABLE OF CONTENTS Keys To Abbreviations Popular Categories Red & Pink-Red Tomatoes Tomatoes Of A Different Color Blacks**Purples Bi-color**Green**Gold**Orange**Yellow Cherries, Grapes & Small Fruited Pear, Plum, Roma, Sauce & Salsas WHAT’S MORE LOCAL THAN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? All of the tomatoes we start from seed ourselves are organically grown. Our tomatoes are only fed with fish emulsion and seaweed kelp right from the start. Most of the varieties we offer are not even available in specialty grocery stores, since they are easily damaged and their skins are too thin to survive the rough handling of mechanized agriculture and shipping. We are always trying to expand our selection of short-season and coldtolerant varieties, which means that the fruit will continue to ripen when nighttime temperatures are lower than 50°, much like our fall in Colorado Springs or for those of you at higher elevations. Some of them are not short season, so you do need to be mindful of “days to maturity” if your growing season is short. We also hunt for varieties that will continue to fruit through the summer heat with our high altitude, like cherries. Our container and small fruit varieties are helpful for those without much space to still enjoy a “real” tomato. We only work with reputable seed sources that are committed to supplying the best organic, GMO-free, open-pollinated, and heirloom tomatoes. In 2012 we began saving seeds from our own organically grown plants to ensure that these treasured heirlooms and open-pollinated varieties are preserved. By saving this seed we are able to make these heirlooms more tolerant of our specific climate and as local as possible. As several of the heirlooms that we have saved seed from are no longer available from seedsmen, we are pleased be able to grow these tomatoes and share them with our customers in perpetuation of these varieties. If a variety is one of the seeds we have saved it will be mentioned in the description. After much research we have obtained 104 varieties this year, with 72 varieties of heirloom and open-pollinated tomato seeds, and more than half are certified organic or saved from our own organically grown plants. After 40 years, we are always striving for the best, as well as new and different varieties, so we would appreciate your feedback on any varieties that produced well for you as well as ones that did not. We all wish you a wonderful and bountiful growing season! Wayne & Staff Denotes New Varieties we are growing this season Indicates plants grown from organic seeds When possible we indicate growth habit & disease resistance in the descriptions with the following: (D) = Indicates a determinate plant that will reach a certain size and produce a crop which ripens over a short period. (SD) = Indicates a semi-determinate plant that will reach a certain size and produce fruit over a long period. (I) = Indicates an indeterminate plant that will grow and produce fruit over a long period. (OP)- Indicates a variety that has been unchanged for at least 30 years and is on its way to becoming an heirloom; a heirloom is described as being unchanged for at least 50 years JUST A FEW OF OUR POPULAR TOMATO CATEGORIES: (FULL LIST AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION ON FOLLOWING PAGES) SHORT SEASON (@ 60 DAYS) Red- Belii Naliv Bloody Butcher Bush Early Girl Bush Beefsteak Early Girl Fourth of July Sasha’s Altai Siberian Stupice Ultimate Opener Cherry- Cherry Falls Elfin Gold Nugget Sugary Sun Gold Terenzo Tiny Tim Cherry Falls Gold Nugget COOL NIGHTS/HIGH ALTITUDE RedBloody Butcher Belii Naliv Carmello Sasha’s Altai Siberian Stupice Black- Black Prince Pink-Red-Caspian Pink Ispolin Yellow- Azoychka Cherry- (most) FOR CONTAINERS & SMALL GARDENS Red- Belii Naliv Bush Beefsteak Bush Champion Bush Early Girl Bush Goliath Patio Sasha's Altai Siberian Stupice Black- Black Krim Japanese Black Trifele Cherry- Cherry Falls Elfin Lizzano Sugary Sweet Baby Girl Terenzo Plum- Grushovka Principe Borghese LOW ACID Red- Beefsteak Jet Star Peach Blow Sutton Yellow- Azoychka Pineapple Virginia Sweets Yellow Stuffer Plum- Ivory Egg BEEFSTEAK Red- Beefsteak Bush Beefsteak Delicious Pink-Red- Brandywine Red Brandywine Suddath Caspian Pink Ispolin FOR WINDOW SILLS Cherry- Cherry Falls Terenzo Tiny Tim Grushovka Black- Ananas Noire Black From Tula Brandywine, Black Blue Fruit Paul Robeson Bi-color- Pineapple Virgina Sweets Green- Green Pineapple Purple- Cherokee Purple Yellow- Azoychka RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES AMELIA- Specifically bread for the Rocky Mountains and thrives in hot climates! Produces large, 8 to 10 ounce firm, uniform fruits. Very flavorful and excellent when picked green or red. Great for sandwiches, salads and salsas. Good crack resistance and performs best with moderate pruning. Perfect for container gardening. Intermediate resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus. Heavy yielder. (D) 75 days BEEFSTEAK- Considered the original HEIRLOOM beefsteak. Lush, thick plants with excellent productivity yield many 4-5”, slightly ribbed, bright red tomatoes that have spectacularly delicious, sweet flavors. Excellent sub-acid taste, meaty flesh, and size (up to 2 lbs.) make it prized for sandwiches, but it is also great for cooking, salads and canning. (I) 80-85 days BELII NALIV- This very early HEIRLOOM produces an abundance of beautifully round, red, 2” fruit that is sweet and tangy. Short, 42” tall plants are great for medium-sized containers and patio gardens. Plants are semi-determinate and will produce loads of fruit over a short period of time, making them great for sauces. Great for higher altitude and cooler night areas. (SD) 55 days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) BIG BEEF (De-hybridized) - Large, red, juicy fruits combine old-fashioned beefsteak flavor with heavy yields of one pound, round to globe-shaped fruit. Flavor is full and hearty with lots of sweet juice balancing that wonderful tomato acidity. They slice up perfectly for big sandwiches and stay large even at the end of the harvest season. Open pollinated (I) 70 days BIG BEEF HYBRID- What a flavor! This is Larry Stebbins (Pikes Peak Urban Gardens) favorite. It has rugged vines which overcome adverse growing conditions. A rich old-time flavor, it features bred-in hybrid qualities such as impressive yields of extra-large (9-16 oz.), smooth, red, globe-shaped fruit with superior disease resistance. (I) 73 days BIG RASPBERRY- Imagine tremendous harvests of pretty pink-red scalloped HEIRLOOM tomatoes with great flavor and you have the essence of what Big Raspberry offers. Perhaps the name comes from the fruit's rosy pink color or from the way it covers the plant like raspberries on the bush. These meaty sweet tomatoes become 6 to 10 ozs. and really load up on vigorous potato-leaf plants. (I) 75 days. RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) BLOODY BUTCHER- A sensational and very popular, early producing tomato variety. A good choice for a tomato as you wait for later varieties to harvest. Vigorous, potato-leaf plants yield copious amounts of 2" (4 oz.) fruits that are deep-red color inside and out. Five to nine fruits per cluster with a rich heirloom tomato flavor. Plant produces well until frost. A good tomato variety for cooler growing regions since fruits ripen quickly. A good canning tomato. Open pollinated. (I) 55 days BRANDYWINE, RED (Landis Valley strain) (Beefsteak)- This is the original red Brandywine HEIRLOOM introduced by Johnson and Stokes Seed Co. in 1889, and named after Brandywine Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Large vines produce high yields of medium-sized (8-12 oz.), round, smooth, deep red fruit that are juicy and loaded with intense tomato flavor. (I) 78 days BRANDYWINE SUDDATH (Pink beefsteak)- This Amish HEIRLOOM has been around for over 135 years and is considered by many to be the best tasting tomato ever. Our seed originates from the legendary seedsman, Ben Quisenberry, who obtained his from Doris Suddath Hill, whose family has grown it for more than 130 years. Prolific plants produce large (1-2 lb.) fruit with succulent, sweet, exceptionally rich and delectably complex flavors. (I) 85 days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) BUSH BEEFSTEAK- Compact, bushy, vigorous plants that produce an abundance of perfect sandwich size, rich red, solid fruit. Good for containers. (D) 62 days BUSH CHAMPION- One of the best varieties for small space gardens and containers. These compact plants grow only 24 inches tall, but yield plenty of big, red, meaty tomatoes that weigh 8 to 12 oz. Their flavor is excellent. (D) 70 days BUSH EARLY GIRL- “Little sister” to Early Girl, this compact variety will surprise you with its huge yields of 6-7 oz. fruit that is larger than its sisters. Good for containers. (Compact Determinate) 54 days BUSH GOLIATH- Developed for patio gardens, containers, & those with limited garden space. Compact 3 ft. plants produce huge, red, 3-4” fruits packed with flavorful meat and high sugar content. (D) 68 days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) CARMELLO- This much-sought-after and hard-to-find red French tomato is among the best ever bred. Large crops of heavy, juicy, fruit with flavor that just doesn’t stop. Consistently produces great tasting tomatoes even when the nights turn cool. Good for salads, sautéed, or as an integral part of any dish. Open pollinated (I) 75 days CASPIAN PINK (Beefsteak)- This HEIRLOOM originates from southern Russia between the Caspian and Black Seas. Thought by some to be the “Queen of the Pinks”, these prolific plants produce 1-1½ lb., globe-shaped, pink-red tomatoes that fruit that rival Brandywine in flavor and popularity. One of the best tasting Russians, this “sleeper” is also perfect for cooler nights. (I) 80 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed CHALK’S EARLY JEWEL- This HEIRLOOM was introduced in 1910. Created by James Chalk of Norristown, PA, introduced in 1899. This plant yields heavy crops of 6 oz., smooth, round, red globes that are solidly meaty, with only a few small seed-cells, and of remarkably fine sweet flavor with balanced acidity. (I) 75 days CHAMPION II- Features even more disease resistance than the original. High yields of red, solid, meaty fruit with just the right sweetness. Makes a delicious sandwich tomato! (I) 65 days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) CLINT EASTWOOD’S ROWDY RED- The original breeder, Archie Millet, spent over 50 years at the University of California crossing thousands of his favorite varieties to produce a disease-resistant tomato with intense flavor. The tall plants produce lots of 6+ oz., deep red, round fruits with robust, “not for sissies”, bold tomatoey flavor. Its fruity sweetness is perfectly balanced with plenty of acidity, earthy nuances, and complexity. Open pollinated (I) 78 days COSTOLUTO GENOVESE- A Italian, heat-loving, HEIRLOOM tomato that has been enjoyed for many generations along the Mediterranean. Large, deep-red fruits have a singularly fluted profile, are deeply ridged, and heavily lobed. Meaty, full-flavored, slightly tart and delicious. Because of its scalloped edges it has also been known as the ‘Ugly Tomato’ but is perfect for use in an arrangement of different colored slices of tomatoes. Makes a rich and pungent pasta sauce. (I) 78 days DELICIOUS- An excellent HEIRLOOM slicer, with most fruits over one pound, some 2-3 lbs., and it still holds the world record of over 7 lbs. for a single fruit. Above average yields of globe to ribbed-shaped beefsteaks that are smooth, solid, and seldom crack. The scarlet-red fruits have small seeds cavities, nearly solid meat, and excellent flavors. (I) 77+ days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) DONA- Another sought-after but hard-to-find (in the U.S.) French HEIRLOOM variety. This one was bred for European specialty markets, where flavor and quality standards are uncompromising. Slightly flattened, almost seedless with a sweet/acid balance that few modern tomatoes can match. Highly productive plants yield deep red, 6 oz., juicy fruits that are smooth, meaty, and have good disease resistance. (I) 75 days EARLY GIRL- Ever popular and dependable, one of the earliest tomatoes, with meaty, red, tasty fruits. Hardy vines produce heavy yields. (I) 55 days EVA PURPLE BALL- A vigorous, 1800sHEIRLOOM tomato from the Black Forest region of Germany. Delicious, round, 2 to 3-inch, blemish-free, pink-purple fruits. Purple tomatoes are generally rich in flavor and very popular among tomato gardeners. A good hot weather tomato variety. (I) 70 days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) FOURTH OF JULY- One of our earliest varieties, the deep red tasty fruit ripen in early summer, hence the name. Big enough for slicing, they are extra juicy yet firm, and bear in clusters of 6 to 8. (I) 49 days GERMAN RED STRAWBERRY-This German HEIRLOOM produces large, red, oxheart-shaped tomatoes that are shaped like a much larger strawberry. Plants yield an abundance of meaty, 3-inch wide by 3 1/2-inch long fruit that can grow to 1 pound. Shape of fruits can be inconsistent. Copious amount of delicious, robust, "old-tomato" flavors with a lingering sweetness. (I) 85 days HONEY- An HEIRLOOM originally from Latvia this regular-leaf, vigorous, tomato plants than bear abundant crops of 12 to 16-ounce, dark-pink, beefsteak tomatoes that show little or no cracking. Fruits have delicious, sweet flavors that are harmonized with just the right amount of acidity. A wonderful slicing or salad tomato. (I) 80 days ISPOLIN (Beefsteak)- This rare Siberian HEIRLOOM is one of the biggest Russians available. Plants can reach 8’ if not pruned and produce lots of 1-2 lb., dark pink-red tomatoes up to 4” across with superb, earthy, sweet, tomatoey flavors. Good for cool climates and a delicious sandwich or salad tomato. (I) 72 days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) JET STAR- This variety is perfect for those who want a low acid, meaty tomato and lots of them. Compact plants will not take over the garden, and ripening tomatoes are less likely to crack than many others. With moderate disease resistance, Jet Star is a reliable mid-season producer that will keep going until frost. (I) 72 days LISA KING- This HEIRLOOM produces moderately heavy crops of 12 oz., red, slightly flattened, succulent, blemish-free fruits with a superb balance of sweetness and acidity. Real “old-fashioned” flavors on tomatoes that resist cracking and blossom end rot. This “sleeper” is really worth trying and may not be available in future years, as the seed has become almost impossible to find. Wayne says if he were only going to grow one tomato plant, it would be a Lisa King. Great for about anything you would use a tomato for. (I) 75-80 days *Lisa King tomato seeds are no longer available and we are proud to offer you Lisa King plants grown from our own saved seeds. MOMOTARO - This is the most popular tomato in Japan. Plants produce abundant crops of round, red, medium sized 6 - 8 oz., perfectly smooth fruit. Their taste is wonderful, intensely rich & sweet, with just the right amount of acid. (I) 74 days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) PATIO- Can also be grown on decks, in courtyards or anywhere space is limited. Attractive, deep green foliage and bright red, 3-4 oz, flavorful tomatoes make these two-foot tall plants perfect for containers. (D) 70 days PEACH BLOW SUTTON- This HEIRLOOM Was introduced in 1897 as “Sutton’s Peachblow” by Sutton and Sons Seed Growers and Merchants of Reading, England. Named after a style of Victorian era glassware known for its peach skin appearance. Round 6 ounce fruits with slightly fuzzy ‘tomato pink’ skin. Refreshing sweet flavor and low acidity. (I) 80 days PHOENIX- Heat-resistant variety bears large 8 oz., top-quality tomatoes that ripen uniformly to bright red. Excellent disease resistance and vigorous plants ensure a large harvest even when weather is very warm. This is a proven top-performer in the South and other growing areas with high temperatures during the growing season. (D) 72 days SASHA’S ALTAI- A superb Russian HEIRLOOM . Hearty plant which produces very good yields of 4-6 oz., thin-skinned, bright red, slightly flattened, round tomatoes with an award-winning complex flavor. Fruit sets well in cooler climates and high altitudes. Seeds are extremely rare and hard to find. Good for containers and small gardens. (I) 57 days RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) SIBERIAN- An HEIRLOOM smuggled out of Russia in the 1970’s (not by us), this could be the earliest of them all. In addition to earliness, it is capable of setting fruit at 38 degrees. Abundant clusters of up to 4 oz., bright red, round, juicy fruit that is surprisingly flavorful for such an early tomato. Good choice for higher elevations, or just to be picking tomatoes in June. Good in containers or for small gardens. (D) 48 + days SLAVA- A HEIRLOOM potato leaf variety from Czech Republic. Name means Glory. A wonderful, prolific, 2-inch, red, round, early tomato. A winner on our farm. Delicious. Rare. Blight resistant. (I) 65 days SOLAR FLARE- Strikingly gorgeous red fruits are 6 to 10 ounce beefsteaks with gold stripes. Luscious and meaty with a slightly sweet full tomato flavor. Good Scab resistance. (I) 75 days STUPICE (say “stoo-PEECH-ka”)- This Czechoslovakian HEIRLOOM is cold tolerant and very early, like Siberian. It bears an abundance of very sweet, flavorful, 2-3”, deep red fruit. A 1988 comparative tasting in San Francisco gave it first place in the “early tomato” category for its sweet/acid tomatoey flavor, often compared to Brandywine. Siberian may have the bragging rights for the earliest cold tolerant tomato, but this one is far superior in taste. Great container or small garden choice. (D) 52 days. RED & PINK-RED TOMATOES (CONT’D) SWEETIE SEEDLESS-This virtually seedless tomato has a perfect balance of lively tomato flavor and juicy sweetness. Its flesh yields nice, meaty slices that can be enjoyed by even those who cannot tolerate seeds in their diet. Round, deep red tomatoes weigh an average 6oz each, the perfect size for tucking into a sandwich. (I) 70 days THESSALONIKI- This Greek HEIRLOOM variety is quite popular with our customers who have tried them. Probably because the baseball-sized, 6-8 oz., red fruits are perfectly shaped, just like those tasteless greenhouse tomatoes we have to buy in the winter. Unlike those, these are juicy with an excellent, rich, old-fashioned acid tomato flavor. (I) 75-80 days ULTIMATE OPENER- More often than not, early tomatoes are under-sized and have marginal flavor. This red tomato, developed by the same breeder of Early Girl and Better Boy, produces fruits about 33% larger than Early Girl with marvelous flavor that’s sweet and juicy. (I) 55 days TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR Blacks**Purples Black tomatoes aren’t really black, & purples aren’t really purple. Don’t let the color description mislead you. Black are really mahogany red and purples tending to be really deep red. When we first started specializing in providing unique varieties to Colorado Springs gardeners, I thought, “Who would eat a brown or purple tomato?” Then I tried one. Now, if I were only going to grow 4 plants, 2 of them would be from this group. Their flavors are rich and complex. See the descriptions below. ANANAS NOIRE (aka BLACK PINEAPPLE) (Beefsteak)- This Belgian HEIRLOOM’s French name means black pineapple. Its fruit is about the same size, 1-1½ lb., as Pineapple (see next section) but its color is totally different. The exterior is dark purple and green with pink blotches and a touch of yellow, with a distinctive streaked interior that resembles a tie-dye pattern of pink, red, green, and yellow. It delivers a complex, hearty tomato taste that’s both sweet and rich, with a wallop of acidity and smoky undertones. Makes a great tomato sauce if you don’t eat them all first (I) 80-85 days BLACK FROM TULA (Beefsteak)- This Russian HEIRLOOM is one of the largest black varieties with 3-4”, slightly flattened (good for slicing) fruit, which weighs up to ¾ lb.. Dark mahogany brown-red with green shoulders, the fruit is round and smooth, not ribbed like many beefsteaks. Deliciously salty, smokey fruit flavors. This one is sure to please. (I)75-80 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed BLACK KRIM (Beefsteak)- This rare HEIRLOOM is originally from the former Soviet Union. It produces outstanding yields of 3-4”, 10-12 oz., slightly flattened, mahogany (slightly maroon) fruit with deep green shoulders. Fantastic, intense, slightly salty taste (great for those not wanting to add salt). Suitable for containers and patio gardens. Perfect choice for slicing, salads, and cooking. (I) 75 days TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR Blacks**Purples (CONT’D) BLACK PRINCE- This HEIRLOOM is one of the most sought-after and hard-to-find black tomatoes. Originally from Irkutsk, in the Siberian region of Russia. Professional chefs rave about its rich flavor. Deep garnet-colored skin on round, 2”, 2-3 oz., tomatoes, which are full of juice and have incredibly rich fruity flavor. Perfect for small gardens, containers, and cool night areas. Eaten fresh, in cooking, sauces or other culinary delights, this one promises to satisfy. (I)70-80 days BLACK ZEBRA- A HEIRLOOM that produces vigorous, indeterminate, regular-leaf tomato plants that produce 4 oz., 1 1/2", juicy, round tomatoes with purple/mahogany-colored skin with green stripes (like brush strokes) with exceptionally rich, complex, really delightful tomato flavors that contain hints of smoke and sweetness. Its flavor also carries the rich complexity associated with the best of black tomatoes. This this is one of our favorites for looks and taste. Once tried, you will keep this black tomato a place in your garden. (I) 85 days BLUE FRUIT- How about something unusual? This HEIRLOOM produces big, bushy, potato-leaf plants that yields big crops of 2-3", 8-10 oz., round, purple-gray tomatoes with unique, rich, robust tomatoey flavors. (I) 76 days BRANDYWINE, BLACK (Beefsteak)- A prolific producer of dark, purplish, deep mahogany ¾-1lb fruit. This HEIRLOOM beefsteak has the same luscious flavor as its pink sister, with the richness of black tomato taste (think Merlot). (I) 80 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR Blacks**Purples (CONT’D) CARBON- This HEIRLOOM is a beautiful deep purple/brown on the outside with a deep brick-red interior, and is among the darkest of black tomatoes. It won a taste test of heirlooms at the Cornell Research Farm. Yields prolific amounts of medium to large, 8-14 oz. fruit with exceptionally rich, yet sweet, complex flavors. (I) 76 days CHEROKEE PURPLE (Beefsteak)- An HEIRLOOM which originates from the Native American Cherokee tribe in Tennessee. Productive plants producing loads of thin-skinned, dusky rose to purple colored, 8-12 oz. tomatoes with deep brick-red interior flesh and dark shoulders. Tolerant of mild drought, as well as to common diseases. Rich, complex, sweet flavors make it one of the best tasting heirlooms. (I) 80 days CHOCOLATE STRIPES- This HEIRLOOM produces very large, indeterminate, regular-leaf tomato plants that yield a plentiful crop of 3-4 inch, mahogany colored with dark, olive green-striping (similar to black zebra). Fruits have delicious, complex, rich, sweet, earthy tomato flavors. Chocolate Stripe, another desirable 'black tomato," is an excellent tomato and a fine choice for your tomato garden. Produces well into the autumn. A great sandwich tomato and salad tomato. (I) 79 days TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR Blacks**Purples (CONT’D) GOOSECREEK BLACK- This HEIRLOOM’s seed was given to us the springs of 2012 by Larry Stebbins of Pikes Peak Urban Gardens and we fell in love. This mid-season, tomato bears bountiful tennis ball size fruit with a hint of smokiness. The flesh is juicy, meaty yet firm with a delightful creamy texture. The slightly acidic taste blends well with the rugged fruity sweetness. Larry's wife Anna describes them as "just plain yummy". They stand up well to heat if the soil is deep and rich and kept moist but not wet during the fruiting period. Thanks again Larry for the seeds and the picture! (I)70-80 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed INDIAN STRIPE- This HEIRLOOM variety bears 8 to 10 oz. burgundy-purple tomatoes that have an exquisite taste with the richness and complexity of fine wine. The fruit found growing in an Arkansas garden gets its name from the faint green stripes that fade as tomatoes ripen. This variety has been compared to Cherokee Purple, but Indian Stripe bears more heavily and the fruit is a bit lighter in color. (I) 80 days JAPANESE BLACK TRIFELE- This highly prized HEIRLOOM commands huge prices at specialty markets, when it can be found. Actually from Russia, the short potato-leaved plants yield prolific quantities of 6 oz. fruit, which looks like a beautiful mahogany-colored Bartlett pear with green shoulders. Very tasty flesh with a meaty core. One of the blackest varieties available, it is a work of art sliced out on a plate. It is a real palate-pleaser with its extraordinary rich and complex flavors. (I) 81 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR Blacks**Purples (CONT’D) NYAGOUS- A prolific rare Russian HEIRLOOM . 2008 was the first year we offered these black-purple tomatoes and they performed and looked beautiful in our own garden. Smooth, round-oval, blemish-free on the outside, these 6-8 oz. fruits are firm with excellent texture, sweet complex flavors, and have a clean acidic finish. This one is a real keeper. (I) 75-80 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed PAUL ROBESON (Beefsteak)- Back by popular demand! This famous Russian HEIRLOOM was named after the operatic artist who won acclaim as an advocate of equal rights for Blacks, and was especially admired in the Soviet Union. Originally from Siberia, it sets fruit at cooler temperatures and grows to 4” wide. Slightly flattened and round, its deep rich color (a dusky, dark red with dark green shoulders and red flesh) sets it apart from others. Very flavorful fruits with luscious, earthy, exotic flavors and a good acid/sweet balance. (I) 74 days TIM’S BLACK RUFFLE’S- This fantastic HEIRLOOM tomato is a cross of Black Krim and Zapotec Pink Pleated. After several seasons of experimentation this tomato was stabilized it was born. This variety produces large, regular-leaf tomato plants that yield the most beautiful 8-10 oz., brilliant garnet purple and pleated tomatoes. Plant is a moderate to heavy producer of fruit. Fruit is packed with the delicious flavors you would expect from the best of the black tomatoes. Sweet, well-balanced and meaty. Makes a great purple tomato sauce and addition to tomato salad. Rare tomato seeds. (I) 78 days TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR AZOYCHKA (Beefsteak) - This Russian HEIRLOOM is another favorite of Jimmy Williams, author of From Seed To Skillet. This delightful, small (8 oz.) for a beefsteak, tomato matures so early that it will be one of the first to ripen in your garden. The beautifully smooth, shimmering, lemon-yellow fruit is very flavorful, rich but sweet, with a delicious hint of citrus, and unlike most yellow tomatoes this variety has a good acidic balance. Good choice for high altitudes and cooler nights. (I) 70 days EVERGREEN- This is one of the best tomatoes we know of that's green when ripe. Mild, delicious flavor and medium to large size make these solid beefsteak fruit good for slicing and very enjoyable to eat. (I) 72 days FLAMME (JAUNE) - Extremely prolific, gourmet French HEIRLOOM that bears in clusters of 6. Beautiful, 1½”, round tomatoes are persimmon-orange inside and out. Delicious full-bodied flavors that literally burst in your mouth. Good in salads, but also makes a great flavored sauce. (I) 70 days GOLDEN GIRL- An HEIRLOOM from 1921.This Tomato won first prize at the Chicago Fair for many years in the 1920's. This plant produces 8-10 oz., richly flavored, meaty fruit with a vibrant golden-orange color. Its sweetness is nicely balanced with a wonderful pulse of acidity for a pleasant tangy feel in the mouth. (I) 76 days TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR (CONT’D) GOLD MEDAL- This may be one of the sweetest HEIRLOOM tomatoes you’ve ever tasted. The yellow with streaks of red makes them very attractive and a gourmet’s joy when sliced. Our finest bi-colored tomato—orange-yellow splashed with tomato pink. (I) 80 days GREEN PINEAPPLE (Beefsteak)- This HEIRLOOM variety is small (8-10 oz.) for a beefsteak, but large for many green tomatoes. Another favorite of author Jimmy Williams (From Seed To Skillet) and many gourmet chefs. What makes it really special is the unique fruity aroma that is released when you cut open the ripened fruit. Emerald green with a touch of yellow on the bottom, these smooth tomatoes have chartreus-green interiors full of sweet, complex flavor with a hint of spice. (I) 80 days GREEN ZEBRA- This HEIRLOOM produces 2-inch round fruit ripens to a yellow-gold with dark-green zebra-like stripes. The flesh is lime-emerald in color that has an invigorating lemon-lime flavor. A great green tomato for brightening up salads and other tomato dishes. (I) 75 days LIMMONY- This is one of the first Russian varieties Popularized in the US. An abundant Russian HEIRLOOM. Produces 1-16 oz., 4-5", light-yellow beefsteak. A great substitute for those who love Lemon Boy but with loads luscious, big sweet tangy flavors. (I) 85 days TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR (CONT’D) PEPPERMINT- Excellent HEIRLOOM that yield of 8-12 oz. red-pink tomatoes with yellow stripes before ripe. Fruit is meaty with very good sweet taste. Outstanding!! (I) 81 days PERSIMMON-This vigorous and prolific HEIRLOOM has one of the better flavors of all the orange tomatoes. Rose-orange (persimmon colored) fruits range from 12-ounces to 2 pounds. Meaty, very sweet, and few seeds. (I) 79 days PINEAPPLE (Beefsteak)- This HEIRLOOM 2 lb., bi-color, slightly flattened tomato has red blushing and streaks on its primarily yellow-orange outside, and this incredible red starburst on the inside with few seeds. Taste is wonderfully mild, but rich with tropical, fruity, sweet flavors and lots of juice. This one really “wowed” us and we had abundant yields. (I) 85 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed TOMATOES OF A DIFFERENT COLOR (CONT’D) VIRGINIA SWEETS (Beefsteak)- This HEIRLOOM variety is simply one of the best tasting, best producing gold-red bi-colors ever grown. On top of that, the tomatoes are stunningly beautiful and enormous, weighing at least 1 lb. each. Golden yellow tomatoes with distinct ribbing are colored with red stripes that turn into a ruby blush on top of the golden fruit. Flavor is sweet and rich, and harvests are abundant. (I) 80 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed YELLOW STUFFER- Another stuffing variety back by popular demand. These sunshine yellow tomatoes, shaped like bell peppers and are perfect for stuffing. Vigorous vines produce loads of 3 to 4-lobed fruits. Perfect for those who need low acid tomatoes. (I) 76 days CHERRIES, GRAPES & SMALL FRUITED TOMATOES Not all cherries are sweet, please read descriptions BLACK CHERRY- This variety is the only “truly” black cherry. Vigorous, tall plants produce heavy yields with huge clusters. Fruits are 1”, round, deep purple-mahogany and have that irresistible delicious, sweet, rich, complex, full tomato flavor we’ve come to appreciate and respect in black tomatoes. This unique variety is beautiful to mix with other colored cherries in a salad. Open pollinated (I) 64 days CHERRY FALLS- Tidy habit and good early establishment makes this a good choice for adding to your mixed flowering containers or large baskets. Very vigorous, 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 oz., juicy, bright red fruits crop heavily over a long harvest period. Plants cascade 36 to 40" and reach just 6" in height. This is one of the three varieties you will find in our tomato hanging baskets. (I) 60 days CHOCOLATE CHERRY-Extremely flavorful, uniform round fruits in trusses of 8, each measuring one inch in diameter. These mahogany brown, bite-size morsels can be picked several days before completely mature, and allowed to ripen off of the vine without sacrificing quality. They always produce very well in our garden. Open pollinated (I) 70 days CHERRIES, GRAPES & SMALL FRUITED TOMATOES (CONT’D) ELFIN- This variety of grape tomato has the same wonderful sweet flavor, size, and shape of the original Grape tomato but has the advantage of a smaller plant. Clusters of delicious, crisp, uniquely-flavored tomatoes have a sweetness that is unmistakably “grape”. Good for containers. (D) 55 days GOLD NUGGET-These HEIRLOOM plants produce prolific amounts of golden, 1" oval cherry tomatoes that are deliciously sweet with a tart finish. Mostly seedless and great for containers. A wonderful cherry tomato for snacking. (D) 56 days GREEN ZEBRA CHERRY- Round to slightly elongated striped green cherry tomatoes look like miniature Green Zebras with the same striping and green color ripening with a hint of amber. Their flavor, while excellent, is a little different, with more delicious sweetness in its profile than that of Green Zebra. This variety was discovered in a box of mixed Cherry tomatoes that a gardener bought in Germany. (I) 75 days CHERRIES, GRAPES & SMALL FRUITED TOMATOES (CONT’D) INDIGO BLUE BERRIES- This is an amazing cherry tomato with very high levels of anthocyanin that show up as beautiful deep purple skin. Unripe fruit are amethyst colored, but ripen to almost black with a bit of brick red on the bottom. They have a delicious, plum-like flavor and are quite easy to grow. Their appearance is striking enough to turn heads at farmers’ markets or become the centerpiece of a home garden. (I) 75 days ISIS CANDY- Plants produce 1” round, delightful, yellow-gold cherry tomatoes with red marbling that varies from just a blush to extensive streaking and a spectacular cat’s eye starburst on the blossom end. Very productive plants bear throughout a long season. The delicious fruit is a silky blend of rich, sweet, fruity flavors. It is a favorite “garden-candy” treat with kids. Open pollinated. (I) 70 days LIZZANO- Disease resistant plants produce yield after yield of smooth, red, 1” fruits with flavor rivaling many of the full sized varieties. Trails to about 20” and continues to produce late into the season without compromising quality. Great for patio pots and hanging baskets. This is one of the three varieties you will find in our tomato hanging baskets. (SD) 63 days CHERRIES, GRAPES & SMALL FRUITED TOMATOES (CONT’D) ORANGE BERRY- This plant produces vigorous, sprawling, and very hardy plants that yield bountiful clusters of 3/4 inch, orange, oval fruits that have a delicious flavors (very sweet and intense). This variety produces well throughout the season. A wonderful cherry tomato. (I) 70 days Open pollinated PINK BUMBLE BEE- Pink fruits are striped with yellow and are crack resistant. The Bumble Bee series of cherry tomatoes is sure to create excitement with its extraordinary beauty and superb flavor. Great for fresh tomato, basil, mozzarella and balsamic vinegar salads. Vigorous vines produce continuously over a long growing season. (I) 70 days PINK PING PONG- This HEIRLOOM wasn’t named for its taste, but rather for its size. Vines bear prolifically with amazing yields of sweet, pink fruit, which is juicy and bursting with superb flavors. Great for salads or canned, if they ever make it into the house. A personal favorite of Gretchen and Amanda. (I) 75 days PURPLE BUMBLE BEE- Chefs and gardeners alike are going to be talking about this cherry tomato because of its striking looks and delicious, sweet flavor. 1 ½ inch round fruit are dark purple to almost black and streaked with mottled patterns of green. This is a great tomato for fresh salads and appetizers, where the appearance and texture of the fruit can really shine. Market gardeners will like mixing these into their pints of colorful cherry tomatoes. This crack-resistant variety can be grown either outdoors or in the greenhouse. (I) 70 days CHERRIES, GRAPES & SMALL FRUITED TOMATOES (CONT’D) SNOWBERRY- Nicely rounded, 1-1/2 to 2 oz., firm fruits feature a creamy yellow color outside with a white inside, making this unique variety the closest thing to a pure white cherry available on the market today. Sturdy plants produce trusses of uniform fruits and are sweet and fruity with a typical tomato flavor. (I)75 days SUGARY (Grape)- Huge amounts of fruit produced in clusters on large semi-determinate vines, which means that plants stay more compact, but continue to produce over a long season. These 1”, brilliant red, oval-shaped cherries with a pointed blossom end are very, very sweet. Good for snacking, salads, and culinary dishes. Good choice for containers or patio gardens. (SD) 60 days SUN GOLD- These positively luscious, thin-skinned, juicy, bite-sized beauties overflow with an abundance of oh-so-sweet, fresh-from-the-vine flavor. The only reason they actually make it to your kitchen is because they produce abundant yields from cascading trusses, which are smothered in fruit and bear continuously over the summer. One of the earliest-producing cherries. (I) 57 days SUN SUGAR- Our bestselling cherry! Descended from Sun Gold, this golden-yellow cherry tomato is even sweeter, with superb texture and a tangy sweet, tropical flavor. Resists cracking. The taste of these tomatoes is so intoxicating their often eaten by the gardener and rarely make it to the table. Too bad? (I) 62 days CHERRIES, GRAPES & SMALL FRUITED TOMATOES (CONT’D) SUPERSWEET 100- This is a home-gardener favorite as the skins are too thin for mechanized agriculture. It has more disease resistance than Sweet 100 while keeping the same fabulous taste. Small ¾-1”, round, bright red tomatoes are deliciously sweet with a high vitamin C content. Long clusters of fruit, up to 100, load up on tall, vigorous plants and continue to bear until frost. (I) 65 days SWEET BABY GIRL- Incredible harvest of luscious, red, super sweet, grape-sized fruit in long clusters on compact plants. Unlimited production potential of an “indeterminate” with the controlled growth of a “determinant”. First “full size” cherry type plant that is easily grown in a container or small garden spaces. (Compact determinate) 65 days SWEET PEA CURRANT- This is one of the smallest and most uniform red currant tomatoes we've seen, and it has an excellent intensely rich but sweet flavor. Plants bear an abundance of these tiny fruit, arranged so closely in the trusses that they resemble beads on a necklace or peas in a pod. (I) 75 days CHERRIES, GRAPES & SMALL FRUITED TOMATOES (CONT’D) TERNEZO- This here cherry tomato plant just won't quit, producing an amazing harvest of round, sweet, crack-resistant 1¼'' fruits. This super producer excels in containers and hanging baskets, a snackable pleasure for the eyes and palate. Compact dwarf plants 16-20'' tall and 20'' wide set all their fruits over a short period, making harvesting a snap. This is one of the three varieties you will find in our tomato hanging baskets. (D) 56 days TINY TIM- This HEIRLOOM was cultivated in 1945, Tomato "Tiny Tim" is a surprisingly tiny plant, growing to only 12in tall so no staking is needed. It can be grown as a potted plant anytime of the year, the fruit is juicy and has very good sweet/tart tomato flavors. It is perfect for wherever garden space is limited and outstanding for growing in containers: 12in wide works well. It can be grown in pots and looks beautiful in hanging baskets or window boxes. Tiny Tim is also well suited for hydroponics cultivation. (D) 60 days TOMATOBERRY- Melt in your mouth fruits could be mistaken for large strawberries in appearance and taste. Extremely sweet once mature, when skins turn a deep red, with thick flesh and a small inner cavity. Petite, tapered fruits are ideal for snacking at just over 1" in length with more juice than some cherry tomatoes. Holds well on the vine and resists cracking. (I) 65 days YELLOW PEAR, BEAM’S VARIETY- A selected variety of the very popular HEIRLOOM. Huge, bushy plants yield huge quantities of 1 oz., 1½” long, bright yellow, pear-shaped, cherry tomatoes which will give you fruit until frost. Beautiful salad or snackin’ tomato that is zesty, sweet, and delicious. Good producer even in cooler weather. (I) 71 days PEAR, PLUM, ROMA, SAUCE & SALSAS AMISH PASTE- Very productive HEIRLOOM from Wisconsin that dates back to the turn of the century. This variety produces 8-12 oz, deep-red oxheart-shaped, meaty fruit. (Probably one of the largest paste tomatoes) Lots of sweet, tomatoey flavors from this coreless meaty fruit. A great slicing and sauce tomato. Not overly acidic. (I) 74-85 days BLACK PLUM- Back by request! Not your typical small black plum this very prolific Russian HEIRLOOM grew huge 4-6 oz. fruits in our gardens. Their deep mahogany-brown, sweet, meaty, rich-flavored fruits are preferred by many for cooking and making sauces. Also excellent in salads and one of the best for drying. (I) 80 days GRUSHOVKA- Siberian HEIRLOOM variety of delicious, pink, 2-3” plum-shaped tomatoes on very compact plants. Plants are only about 2-1/2’ tall but produce abundantly and are a very good choice for container gardening. These little tasty tomatoes are thin skinned and excellent for canning whole or diced. We added this one to replace Window Box Roma which we found to be prone to blossom end rot even under good growing conditions. (D) 65 days INCAS- A very early San Marzano type ripening as early as late June from an early April sowing. Bright red fruits weigh about 3 oz. and have firm, thick, meaty flesh with excellent keeping quality. Perfect for growing in large containers. Ideal in pastes, sauces, canning or used fresh. (D) 70 days PEAR, PLUM, ROMA, SAUCE & SALSAS (CONT’D) ITALIAN GOLD- Very productive plants yield 6 oz. yellow-orange fruits. Great meaty chunks for salads and adding color to salsas. Also very good for pastes and sauces. We trialed it in our garden in 2010 and were surprised at its abundance and very full flavor. If you closed your eyes, you wouldn’t know it was yellow. Open pollinated (I) 80 days *We proudly offer you this variety from our own saved seed IVORY EGG- An HEIRLOOM well named as its fruit is the size (1 x 2"), shape and approximate color of a chicken's egg. (An unusual color for a plum-type tomato) Pale, ivory, fruit eventually turns creamy-yellow and has a mild sweet flavor. Low acidity. (I) 80 days OPALKA- An HEIRLOOM originally from Poland circa 1900. (aka Polish Torpedo) Vigorous vines produce some of the best tasting, red, paste tomatoes with 5-inch long fruit shaped like a banana pepper with a pronounced tip on the bottom. Fruit has very few seeds, is extremely meaty and loaded with rich sweet flavors lending to its sauce appeal. (I) 80 days PEAR, PLUM, ROMA, SAUCE & SALSAS (CONT’D) POMPEII-Tall and productive Italian vining variety, loads up early with a heavy harvests of meaty, rich-flavored plum tomatoes for fresh eating or sauce. This great tasting, traditional ‘Roma’ type tomato has good disease resistance for heavy harvest. Use fresh or simmer in thick tasty sauces with plenty to can or freeze. (I) 76 days PRINCIPE BORGHESE- This prized Italian HEIRLOOM is back by popular demand. Short plants are good in containers or in the ground. Prolific yields of big clusters of 1-2 oz., red, plum-oval shaped, crack resistant tomatoes. Prized for drying, as they retain more flavor than other drying varieties. Intense flavor when reconstituted in olive oil or crushed into flakes for a quick thickener in sauces. As if that weren’t enough they’re also good eating fresh, in salads and for canning. (I) 78 days ROMA- The best-known paste tomato. Heavy crops of bright red, pear-shaped fruit with lots of meat and few seeds. Open pollinated (D) 75 days SAN MARZANO- HEIRLOOM from Italy. Compact and prolific producer of bright-red, slim, 2-3 inch, plum-type, fruit over a long season. A paste tomato with pointy end, heavy walls and little juice, so it's great for tomato sauce. Crack resistant. Better tasting than Roma. (SD) 78 days