What's an 'Heirloom' Tomato?
An Heirloom tomato is essentially and open-pollinated (aka OP) variety. These are varieties that breed true and have been reproduced for decades. Many often debate how old a variety must be to be considered 'Heirloom", but many agree that if a variety has been cultivated for 3 decades, it may be considered an heirloom tomato. (reference here)
It's All About The Story
I personally love growing heirloom varieties over hybrids. There's nothing like a good story and heirlooms sure carry a story of their own! It is interesting to read the history behind each individual variety - and there are thousands. That is what really intrigues me about heirlooms.
There are so many out there in the world and more being created all the time. It is one seemingly endless book with so much history & mystery! I prefer to grow something with a rich history and I also appreciate carrying these varieties forward, so that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy them as well. Preserving history that has fed us and sustained our lives for generations; it is priceless.
The 'Great Debate' - Heirloom vs. Hybrid
Which is better, heirloom tomatoes or hybrid tomatoes? That depends on who you ask. Don't ask me, I'm bias! That is up to each gardener to figure out - which is better? What works for me might not work for everyone. There's been much heated discussion amongst gardeners and farmers, but it remains a personal preference. I grow 98% heirloom seed, but I also prefer several hybrid types that I know to be excellent. I'll share more on that below.
The consumer wins either way. They have choices - a plethora of them!
With tens of thousands of varieties of tomato out there, both heirloom and hybrids, we lack the universal metrics for identifying which is better. We have yet to define what "better" means! I found this site incredibly helpful in explaining The Difference Between Hybrid & Heirloom Tomatoes. I will be discussing this more in depth in the near future, so if you'd like to interject an opinion - feel free! My ears are on, I am open to discuss this below in the comments!
The Key to Great Plants Starts With Great Seed
It is all about the seed and the source. Regardless of being hybrid or heirloom - it is all about the source. Trustworthy sources are key to quality seed. I have people try to GIVE me seed all the time and I rarely accept. Most of the time they have no idea what the seeds are or any other information about it. I like a good mystery, but not in the garden. If I do not know what it is or where it came from, then I cannot possibly grow that seed to its full potential.
Knowing what you're growing is the only way to unlock the full potential of the plant you're growing (in my opinion). That is why I love heirlooms, the information is abundant for something that has been grown for decades and the internet is your chauffeur. The keys are basically in the ignition for you.
I order seeds from many different sources, but they all have one thing in common: they provide outstanding service to gardeners and farmers by also accompanying their product with an abundance of information. It's quite a bit different than growing an un-stabilized hybrid strain. (BUY SEEDS ONLINE @ SEEDSNOW.com)
What Heirlooms @Grow-Pro Has Growing This Year
Heirloom Tomatoes:
Abraham (Abe) Lincoln - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Produces extra
large 1 lb. heirloom tomatoes that turn dark red as they mature. Great
for tomato juice, eating off the vine, ketchup, or slicing for sandwiches.
Day to Maturity | 85 days
Atkinson - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Produces 8 to 16 oz. red
heirloom tomatoes. Great for salads, sandwiches and many culinary
creations. This plant has thick leaves and makes it a great variety to
plant if you live in a dry/humid environment.
Day to Maturity | 70 days
Black Krim - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Produces heavy yields of dark
reddish/ black beefsteak tomatoes. From the Black Sea region of
Russia. Very sweet & salty and rich in flavor. Used in salads and
sandwiches.
Day to Maturity | 70 days
Box Car Willie - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Regular-leaf, tall, vigorous,
tomato plants that yield abundant crops of 10 to 16-ounce, smooth,
bright-orange/red slicer tomatoes. Good choice for a canning tomato,
sauce tomato or salad tomato or perfect for tomato juice. A good all
season tomato that produces well until frost.
Day to Maturity | 80 days
Brandywine (Pink) - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Massive Beefsteak
variety that produces tomatoes 1 lb+. Excellent, well known flavor.
Soft texture, rough shoulders, with creamy smooth flesh.
Day to Maturity | 90 days
Calypso - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Produces 6-8 ox. tomatoes.
Classic heirloom flavor makes this a great variety for canning and
freezing. Grows well in humid climates.
Day to Maturity | 85 days
Caribe - Heirloom - Determinate - Compact plant that is great for tight
spaces & does well in containers (12”+). Grows in dry and/or humid
climates. Easy to grow.
Day to Maturity | 78 days
Cherokee Purple - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Grown for over 100
years by Cherokee tribe. Produces 6-12 oz. purplish/ pink colored
heirloom tomatoes. Sweet & smoky flavor. Easy to grow.
Day to Maturity | 82 - 90 days
Creole - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Produces smooth, glossy medium
red tomatoes, 6 -12 oz. fruit with excellent flavor. Grows well in hot
regions and tolerates heat extremely well. Early finisher.
Day to Maturity | 70 days
Delicious - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Guinness World Record holder.
Produces tomatoes with an average size of 2 - 3 lb. (Each!) Perfect
slicing variety with delicious flavor. Record size was 7 lb. 12 oz. - Try
growing a record breaker in your garden!
Day to Maturity | 85 days
Floradade - Heirloom - Determinate - Can withstand temps exceeding
95º F and adapts to humid or dry climates. Produces a heavy yield of
great tasting tomatoes in a spectrum of climates.
Day to Maturity | 85 days
Homestead - Heirloom - Determinate - Very popular variety with strong
& sturdy vines that produce medium sized tomatoes. Thrives in warm
climates and are wilt resistant. Developed in the 1950’s for growers in
southern states.
Day to Maturity | 80 - 83 days
Marion - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Rutgers-type, only better! Used
often by gourmet chefs in salads & sandwiches. Crack resistant,
medium sized tomatoes. Easy to grow.
Day to Maturity | 75 days
Money Maker - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Great yields of bright red
tomatoes that grow up to 8 oz. Very reliable heirloom variety from
Bristol, England.
Day to Maturity | 85 days
Mortgage Lifter - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Produces very large
beefsteak tomatoes up to 2 lbs! Rich flavored heirloom that originated
in West Virginia. Turns a deep dark pinkish color as they mature.
Day to Maturity | 70 days
Pineapple - Heirloom - Indeterminate - Pineapple tomato plant
produces abundant yields of extra large 2 lb. yellow tomatoes with red
streaks, both inside & out! Very flavorful variety that will require
staking/ support. Produces up until frost.
Day to Maturity | 80 - 90 days
Purple Tomatillo - Heirloom - Indeterminate - "A mainstay of Mexican cuisine, tomatillo can be eaten fresh, right off the plant, or roasted to bring out its sweet, tart, complex flavor. It's a nice addition to salsa and sauces, too. Purple earns its name with violet tones that go right through from the skin to the flesh of the fruit, which can reach the size of a baseball but is more commonly a bit smaller. Even the leaves on this plant sport purple veins and streaks!" via: Park Seed.
Day to Maturity | 70 days
We have a few more varieties about to go in the dirt, they include: Royal Hillbilly, Hungarian Heart, & Black Vernissage!
CALLING ALL GARDENERS - Please comment below and share a photo of your garden!
THANK YOU FOR READING!
If you have enjoyed reading and would like more updates - feel free to follow along. Many updates to come!
HEIRLOOM, NON-GMO, ORGANIC SEED BELOW
HEIRLOOM, NON-GMO, ORGANIC SEED BELOW