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