BLACK  BRANDYWINE

OVER THE YEARS THE SEED KEEPERS HAVE KEPT SEEDS OF THE BRANDYWINE TOMATO THAT EXHIBITED DIFFERENT COLORS OF FRUIT BUT STILL MAINTAINED THE WONDERFUL FLAVOR OF THE ORIGINAL BRANDYWINE.  THESE ARE GREAT TO ADD COLOR AND FLAVOR TO YOUR TABLE.  95 DAY.

BLACK CHERRY

EARLY TO MIDSEASON CHERRY TOMATO FROM RUSSIA.  SKIN IS DARK, ALMOST BLACK WITH DEEP RED FLESH.  FLAVOR IS SWEET, INTENSE, AND A HINT OF SMOKINESS.  THIS IS ONE TOMATO THAT WILL MAKE YOUR SALAD SPECIAL.  70 DAYS

BLACK GIANT

AN EARILY LARGE BLACK VARIETY FROM RUSSIA. 6-14 OZ. FRUIT WITH DELICIOUS FLAVOR CALLED THE PERFECT BLEND OF ACID AND SUGAR.  WHILE THIS IS AN EARLY FRUITING TOMATO, IT KEEPS BEARING UNTILL FROST.
VERY PRODUCTIVE. INDETERMINATE.

BLACK KRIM

AN EARLY SETTING TOMATO WITH A RICH FLAVOR AND A HINT OF SALT.  A RUSSIAN HEIRLOOM FROM THE BLACK SEA AREA.  A VERY DARK RED SKIN WITH GREEN SHOULDERS.  CUT THIS TOMATO OPEN AND YOU WILL FIND RED MEAT WITH THE SEEDS SURROUNDED BY A GREEN GEL.  CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE THE BEST TASTING TOMATO.  70 DAY.

BLACK PLUM

A MIDSEASON TOMATO WITH 2” FRUIT THAT IS LIKE A ROMA TOMATO.  THE FRUIT IS A DARK MAHOGANY COLOR WITH A RICH FLAVOR.  THIS TOMATO IS GREAT FOR SAUSE AS WELL AS SLICING FOR EATING FRESH IN SALADS, OR DRYING.  INDETERMINATE. 80 DAYS.

BLOODY BUTCHER

AN EARLY HEIRLOOM BELIEVED TO BE FROM ENGLAND.  2 INCH FRUIT IN 5–9 FRUIT CLUSTERS.  DEEP RED AND THE FLAVOR OF MAIN SEASON TOMATOES.  POTATO LEAF TYPE TOMATO. INDETERMINATE.  65 DAYS.

BRANDYWINE

CONSIDERED BY MOST AS THE BEST FLAVORED TOMATO.  19TH CENTURY AMISH SEED, BELIEVED TO BE FROM THE BRANDYWINE CREEK AREA OF PENNSYLVANIA, WITH LARGE PINKISH RED FLAT IRREGULAR FRUIT.  MEDIUM TO TALL POTATO LEAF PLANT THAT SHOULD BE CAGED OR STAKED.  INDETERMINATE.  80 DAY.

BROOKPACT 
A SMALL NEAT COMPACT  PLANT WITH RED FRUIT.  AN EXCELLENT CONTAINER PLANT OR A TOMATO THAT WOULD FIT INTO A FLOWER BED.  60 DAY.

CASPIAN PINK

THIS HEIRLOOM ORIGINATED IN THE CASPIAN REGION OF RUSSIA.  OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THIS TOMATO HAS CONSISTENTLY SCORED HIGH IN BLIND TASTE TESTS AND HAS EVEN BEATEN BRANDYWINE.
THE SKIN IS A DARK PINK WITH A LOVELY RED FLESH INSIDE.  85 DAY.

CHEROKEE PURPLE

FULL FLAVORED TOMATO WITH UNUSUAL COLOR.  THE FRUIT IS DUSKY PINK WITH PURPLE SHOULDERS.  THE FLESH IS PURPLE-BROWN-PINK IN COLOR WITH GREEN GEL UNLESS DEAD RIPE.  GROWN FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS IN THE TENNESSEE AREA, IT IS SAID THAT THE SEED WERE ORIGINALLY FROM THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE.  INDETERMINATE. 85 DAYS.
    
DEJENA LEE’S GOLDEN GIRL

BRIGHT GOLD MEATY FRUIT 8-12 OZ. WITH A SWEET TANGY FLAVOR.  NAMED AFTER AN INDIAN GIRL.  THIS PLANT WAS GROWN ALL ALONG THE OHIO PENNSYLVANIA AREA AND SOUTH.  80 DAY.

DRUZBA

A BULGARIAN HEIRLOOM TOMATO COMING TO THE STATES THROUGH FRANCE.  RED IN COLOR WITH PINK-GOLD  SHOULDERS.  THE FRUIT ARE ABOUT 4 INCHES ACROSS.  THE NAME MEANS “FRIENDSHIP” AND THIS WILL BE A FRIEND OF YOURS ONCE YOU TRY IT OUT.  SETS A HEAVY CROP AND MAY BE YOUR MAIN TOMATO.  INDETERMINATE.  80 DAYS

EARL OF EDGECOMBE

A NEW ZEALAND HEIRLOOM TOMATO BROUGHT TO ENGLAND WHEN THE 7TH EARL OF EDGECOMBE CLAIMED HIS TITLE IN THE 1960’S.  THIS TOMATO HAS WON THE PRAISE OF THE BRITISH GROWERS AND NOW IS AVAILABLE IN THE STATES.  AN ORANGE TOMATO THAT FRUITS IN 3 INCH GLOBES BORN IN CLUSTERS OF TWO OR MORE FRUIT, NOTED FOR BEING RESISTANT TO CRACKING AND BLOSSOM END ROT..  THE FLESH IS FIRM AND OF COURSE QUITE FLAVORFUL.  A MID SEASON TOMATO (73 DAYS) GOOD FOR SLICING AS WELL AS ADDING COLOR TO A SALAD.  INDETERMINATE. 75 DAYS.

GLAMOUR

MID-SEASON OLD VARIETY RED-ORANGE IN COLOR THAT IS MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE, FIRM AND MEATY, AND KNOWN FOR THEIR GOOD TASTE.  THE PLANT IS FIRM AND THE FRUIT ARE LESS LIKELY TO CRACK.  A GOOD SLICER. GOOD FOR CANNING. INDETERMINATE. 72 DAYS

GOLDEN JUBILEE

A MIDSEASON  TOMATO WITH BRIGHT GOLDEN ORANGE FRUIT, 21/2 TO 3 INCH IN DIAMETER WITH THICK MEATY THICK WALLS AND FEW SEEDS.  LARGE PLANT NEEDING STAKING.  INDETERMINATE 72 DAY.

HILLBILLY

A VERY OLD HEIRLOOM FROM THE HILLS OF WEST VIRGINIA.  LARGE FRUIT OFTEN OVER 1 POUND.  THE FRUIT ARE AN ORANGE-YELLOW COLOR WITH RED AND PINK MOTTLING.  MILD FLAVOR.  85 DAY.

JAPANESE TRIFELE BLACK

A MIDSEASON TOMATO FROM RUSSIA THAT IS A HEAVY PRODUCER OF  3-5 “ FRUIT THAT ARE BLEMISH FREE AND RARELY CRACK.  A BLACK TO MAGENTA FRUIT WITH EXCELLENT FLAVOR THAT HOLDS ITS FLAVOR EVEN IN CANNING.  INDETERMINATE. 80 DAYS  

MARGLOBE

AN HEIRLOOM KNOWN, NOT ONLY FOR FLAVOR, BUT ALSO THE SHAPE OF THE FRUIT.  CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE THE PERFECT SANDWICH TOMATO.  THE FRUIT ARE ALMOST A PERFECT SPHERE AND BRIGHT RED.  INDETERMINATE

MENNONITE

LIKE THE AMISH, THE MENNONITES SAVED SEEDS THAT HAVE SUPERIOR FLAVOR.  THIS BEEFSTEAK TYPE TOMATO IS SWEET, GREAT FOR SLICING BECAUSE OF A SMALL SEED CAVITY AND IS MEATY.  THE FRUIT ARE ORANGE-RED IN COLOR AND IS SURE TO IMPRESS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. INDETERMINATE.  80 DAYS. 

MORTGAGE LIFTER

ALSO CALLED “RADIATOR CHARLIE” THIS TOMATO IS ONE OF URBAN LEGENDS.  VERY EARLY FOR A BEEFSTEAK TYPE. LARGE FRUIT FROM 1 TO 4 POUNDS.  A MILD FLAVOR WITH A PINK SKIN AND RED MEAT.  A GREAT SLICER WITH FEW SEEDS.  80 DAY.

MOSKVICH

AN HEIRLOOM FROM EASTERN SIBERIA.  NOTED FOR BEING EARLY, HARDY, AND STILL LARGE AND GOOD TASTE.  SMOOTH TEXTURE WITH SMALL STEM SCAR.  60 DAY.

MR. STRIPEY

ALSO CALLED OLYMPIC FLAME.  AN ANCIENT HEIRLOOM FROM THE HILLS OF WEST VIRGINIA.  HUGE FRUIT UP TO 2 POUNDS OF THE BEEFSTEAK TYPE.  COLOR MOSTLY ORANGE/YELLOW WITH STREAKS OF RED AND PINK.  INDETERMINATE.  75 DAY.

NEARLY WILD

LIKE THE NAME SAYS THIS IS ALMOST AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN GET TO THE ORIGINAL WILD TOMATO.  THE FRUIT ARE SMALL, ½ INCH, NOT MUCH BIGGER THAN A PEA BUT OH!, WHAT FLAVOR.  BRIGHT RED FRUIT COVER THE PLANT AND GROW IN CLUSTERS.  PROBABLY THE LARGEST GROWING PLANT I HAD LAST YEAR.  INDETERMINATE. 70 DAYS.

NYAGOUS

A MIDSEASON (80 DAYS) CLUSTER TYPE DARK RED MAHOGANY COLORED TOMATO THAT GROWS IN CLUSTERS OF 3-6 FRUIT EACH 6 TO 8 OZ. (BASEBALL SIZE).  SWEET RICH FLAVOR.  THIS RUSSIAN HEIRLOOM PRODUCES BLEMISH FREE FRUIT THAT IS RESISTANT TO CRACKING.  INDETERMINATE. 80 DAYS. 

OLD GERMAN

ORIGINALLY SAVED BY THE MENNONITE COMMUNITY IN VIRGINIA.  A GREAT SLICING TOMATO OFTEN GROWING FRUIT TO 2 POUNDS.  BOAT SHAPED FRUIT THAT IS GOLDEN WITH RED AND PINK STRIPES.  INDETERMINATE.  80 DAY.

PAUL ROBESON

A MID SEASON HEIRLOOM BELIEVED TO BE FROM RUSSIA.  DEEP MAROON COLORED FRUIT THAT ARE MEDIUM SIZED, SWEET AND TANGY IN FLAVOR.  A BLEMISH FREE TOMATO THAT WILL BEAR IN COOL TEMPERATURES. INDETERMINATE. 70 DAYS

PEACEVINE

AN EARLY RED CHERRY TOMATO WITH A HIGH VITAMIN C CONTENT AND A HIGH LEVEL OF GAMMA-AMINO BUTRIC ACID ( A NATURAL CHEMICAL THAT CALMS THE JITTERS) AND THUS THE NAME “PEACEVINE.”  WILL PRODUCE ALL SUMMER.  INDETERMINATE 65 DAYS.

PINEAPPLE

A LATE OLD HEIRLOOM TOMATO KNOWN FOR HAVING ENORMOUS FRUIT WITH BEEFSTEAK TYPE FRUIT ORANGE-YELLOW AND RED STREAKS.  MEATY WITH MILD FLAVOR AND NO GREEN SHOULDERS.
INDETERMINATE 90 DAY.

PLUM TIGRIS

ANOTHER RUSSIAN HEIRLOOM THAT IS A PLUM TYPE TOMATO THAT IS RED WITH YELLOW STRIPES.  MID SIZED 4 OZ. FRUIT THAT IS VERY MEATY.  INDETERMINATE.

POMME d’AMOUR

ONE OF THE OLDEST HEIRLOOMS TRACED BACK TO THE CANARY ISLANDS AND COMES TO US FROM EITHER ENGLAND OR FRANCE.  THE NAME LITERALLY MEANS “LOVE APPLE”.  ONE EXPLAINATION OF THE NAME COMES FROM THE EARLY BELIEF IN EUROPE THAT THE TOMATO WAS POISONOUS, AND COULD BE USED BY PEOPLE TO POISON THEIR SPOUSE TO BE WITH THEIR LOVER.  THESE ARE SAFE TO EAT.  GOOD FLAVORED FRUIT. CONSIDERED SEMI-DETERMINATE VARIETY OF TOMATO.

PRINCIPE BORGHESE

AN OLD FAVORITE FROM THE TUSCANY REGION OF ITALY.  A SMALL VINED DETERMINATE TYPE THAT REQUIRES NO STAKING.  A PROLIFIC LITTLE TOMATO THAT IS A FAVORITE FOR DRYING.  A PLUM TYPE THAT IS ALSO EXCELLENT FOR SAUCE.  ALSO STORES WELL IN THE FALL WITHOUT DRYING.  75 DAY.

PURPLE RUSSIAN

BROUGHT TO THE US FROM THE UKRANE IN 1980.  AN INSTANT HIT BY THE GOURMET CROWD.  THE EGG SHAPED FRUIT ARE 6 OZ., 3-4 INCHES LONG AND BLEMISH FREE.  VERY MEATY AND GOOD FOR EATING FRESH, CANNING, SALSA AND SAUCES.  INDETERMINATE. 75 DAYS.

RED BRANDYWINE

OVER THE YEARS THE SEED KEEPERS HAVE KEPT SEEDS OF THE BRANDYWINE TOMATO THAT EXHIBITED DIFFERENT COLORS OF FRUIT BUT STILL MAINTAINED THE WONDERFUL FLAVOR OF THE ORIGINAL BRANDYWINE.  THESE ARE GREAT TO ADD COLOR AND FLAVOR TO YOUR TABLE.  85 DAY

RIESENTRAUBE

LITERALLY TRANSLATED AS “GIANT BUNCH OF GRAPES”.  AND YOU THOUGHT THAT GRAPE TOMATOES WERE A RECENT INTRODUCTION!  THIS GERMAN HEIRLOOM VARIETY DATES BACK TO AT LEAST 1855.  THE FRUIT ARE SMALL (ABOUT 1 ½ INCH ACROSS) THAT GROW IN CLUSTERS.  NOT SWEET LIKE A CHERRY TOMATO BUT WITH FULL FLAVOR LIKE A BEEFSTEAK.  INDETERMINATE SO YOU WILL HAVE FRUIT ALL SEASON.  80 DAY.

SIBERIAN

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE SIBERIA TOMATO OFFERED BEFORE.  THIS TOMATO IS ALSO A VERY EARLY TOMATO THAT IS ABLE TO GROW IN COLDER SOIL.  THE FLAVOR IS REPORTED BETTER AND THE PLANT PRODUCES LONGER AND WITH MORE FRUIT.  RED FRUIT ABOUT 2-3 INCHES IN DIAMETER THAT, WITH CARE, CAN GIVE YOU TOMATOES BY THE FORTH OF JULY. A DETERMINATE VARIETY THAT WILL GIVE YOU GOOD EARLY FRUIT.  50 DAY.

SICILIAN SAUCER

A SICILIAN HEIRLOOM JUST MADE TO BE CONVERTED TO A TASTY SAUCE.  A MID SEASON TOMATO WITH HUGE THICK AND MEATY FRUIT, UP TO 2 POUNDS.  BRIGHT RED BUT SOMEWHAT FLAT SHAPED FRUIT.  INDETERMINATE.

SILVER FIR

AN ORNAMENTAL TOMATO FROM RUSSIA.  RUSSIA CALLED IT “CARROT LEAF”.  A SMALL PLANT GROWING ONLY 2 FEET HIGH.  SMALL FRUIT 2 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS BUT VERY FLAVORFUL.  A GREAT CONTAINER PLANT THAT WILL SURPRISE YOUR FRIENDS.  DETERMINATE.  60 DAY

SOUTHERN NIGHT

ANOTHER VERY OLD RUSSIAN HEIRLOOM.  POTATO LEAF WITH 3 1/2 INCH FRUIT THAT ARE ROUND, SLIGHTLY FLAT, MAROON EXTERIOR, A RED INTERIOR, AND SOME GREEN ON THE SHOULDERS.  THE FRUIT ARE SOME OF THE SWEETEST GROWN. DETERMINATE 85 DAYS.

STUPICE

A NATIVE OF CHECHOSLOVAKIA KNOWN FOR SWEET FRUIT AND EXTREMELY EARLY YIELD.  THE FRUIT ARE SMALL WEIGHING 1 TO 2 OZ., BUT PACKED WITH FLAVOR.  OFTEN BEARING FRUIT AFTER 52 DAYS, THIS IS STILL AN INDETERMINATE TOMATO.  STANDS UP TO THE COLD WEATHER.  60 DAY. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON 
NOT MUCH IS KNOWN ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THIS TOMATO.  SCATTERED REFERENCES ARE MADE TO THIS TOMATO FOR OVER 150 YEARS.  IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE TOMATO WAS NAMED IN HONOR OF THE PRESIDENT TO RECOGNIZE HIS WORK IN HORTICULTURE.  THE SEEDS WERE SOLD BY HIS FAMILY.  EXCELLENT FLAVORED RED FRUIT AND RELIABLE PRODUCER HAS MADE THIS A FAVORITE OVER THE YEARS.  80 DAY.

 
XIAOYANGZAO

PLEASE DO NOT ASK HOW TO PRONOUNCE THIS TOMATO NAME.  BELIEVED TO BE CANTONESE MEANING “SMALL SEED”.  A RED CHERRY TYPE TOMATO THAT IS SIMILAR IN SHAPE TO A PEAR TYPE TOMATOES.  A MID SEASON TOMATO EARLIER THAN MOST CHERRY TYPE WITH INTENSE FLAVOR.  INDETERMINATE. 

YELLOW PEAR

A SWEET YELLOW CHERRY-TYPE OF TOMATO ON A LARGE PLANT (6 FEET).  THE SEEDS HAVE BEEN SAVED SINCE AROUND 1800.  VERY JUICY BUT A LITTLE LATER THAN MOST CHERRY TOMATOES.  78 DAY.

ZIEGLER’S FLEISCH

A SMALL EARLY PRODUCING PLANT WITH 3 TO 5 OZ. RED FRUIT.  GOOD FLAVOR.  A GREAT CONTAINER PLANT

NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE ASKED IF THERE ARE HEIRLOOM PEPPERS.  LIKE TOMATOES, PEOPLE HAVE SAVED SEEDS OF PEPPERS FOR YEARS DUE TO THEIR SUPERIOR FLAVOR.  THE FOLLOWING HEIRLOOM PEPPERS ARE OFFERED:

CHINESE GIANT

AS THE NAME IMPLIES, THIS IS A BIG SWEET BELL PEPPER.  INTRODUCED BY THE BURPEE COMPANY IN 1900 IT IS STILL VALUED FOR SIZE, FLAVOR, AND VERSATILITY.  THE FRUIT ARE 41/4 INCHES AROUND AND 6 INCHES LONG WITH THICK MEATY WALLS.  THE FRUIT TURN RED WHEN MATURE AND ARE GREAT FOR STUFFING AND ROASTING.  WHILE THE FRUIT ARE LARGE, THE PLANT IS COMPACT.  75 DAYS.

CORNO DI TORO

 “HORN OF THE BULL” THIS ITALIAN HEIRLOOM IS THE RED (ROSSO) VARIETY OF THIS CLASSIC PEPPER.  THIS IS A PROLIFIC PEPPER THAT IS SWEET AND THICK.  THE LARGE FRUIT 8-12 INCHES, ARE GREAT FOR COOKING, FRYING, GRILLING AND ROASTING

FISH

AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HEIRLOOM THAT IS FIRST RECORDED IN 1870.  THIS PEPPER IS USED TODAY IN THE OYSTER AND CRAB HOUSES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY.  THE 2 FT. PLANT HAS BEAUTIFUL GREEN AND WHITE LEAVES WITH 2-3 INCH FRUIT THAT MATURES FROM GREEN TO ORANGE-BROWN, TO RED.  THIS PEPPER HAS A MEDIUM HOTNESS AND MAKES A WONDERFUL SALSA.

JIMMY NARDELLO SWEET ITALIAN

A PROLIFIC BANANA TYPE PEPPER 6-9 INCHES LONG.  SWEET WITH A HINT OF SPICINESS.  BROUGHT TO THE US FROM ITALY IN 1887.  A GREAT FRYING PEPPER.

PURPLE BEAUTY

THERE IS NOT MUCH INFORMATION ON THE ORIGIN OF THIS PEPPER.  JUST A LOT OF ACCOLADES ON THE USE OF THE PEPPER.. ANOTHER SWEET BELL PEPPER THAT ADDS A LOT FO COLOR AND FLAVOR TO YOUR TABLE.  THE FRUIT ARE A BEAUTIFUL PURPLE COLOR THAT, IF ALLOWED TO MATURE, TURNS RED.  AN EARLIER VARIETY ON COMPACT PLANTS THAT PRODUCE THICK MEATY FRUIT.  GREAT FOR STIR FRY, STUFFING, AND WONDERFUL COLOR TO SALADS.  70 DAYS

SWEET BANANA

ANOTHER OLD HEIRLOOM THAT HAS A LOT OF HISTORY BUT LITTLE ON THE ORIGIN.  IN 1938 A VARIETY OF THE BANANA PEPPER WON AN ALL AMERICAN RECOGNITION.  IN 1940 A “HUNGARIAN” VARIETY RECEIVED AN ALL AMERICAN BRONZE MEDAL.  THE FRUIT ARE ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG AND 21/2 INCHES IN DIAMETER. HIGH IN VITAMIN C, THE FRUIT START OFF LIGHT GREEN, CHANGE TO YELLOW, AND MATURE TO RED.  USED IN SALADS, GARNISH, PICKLING AND CANNING.  75 DAYS

QUADRATO ASTI GIALLO

A LARGE SWEET HEIRLOOM BELL PEPPER FROM THE ASTI REGION OF ITALY.  THE PEPPER STARTS OUT GREEN RIPENING SLOWLY TO A GOLDEN YELLOW.   A THICK CRISP FLESH THAT HOLDS ITS FLAVOR GREEN OF YELLOW.  GREAT FOR STUFFING, FRYING AND SALADS.    RIPENS IN ABOUT 80 DAYS.
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