Currently I work at a facility that has over 5,000 different varieties of tomato seed!! Amazing to think of... 5,000 different varieties - now, granted most look horrible, taste worse but we keep them anyways to be sure we (as a nation) will have whatever seeds needed to regenerate any possible tomato if there was ever a need. Anyways - the point I'm trying to get to is that the vast majority of those varieties are OPEN POLLINATED and many are heirlooms! What a joy it is each year to be able to grow at least 50 - 100 different varieties and see what new and exciting characteristics I will find. There are those wonderful occasions when I find some real gems that I want to try to grow in my own garden at home. From Gardenplate.com's Glossary: Heirloom Tomato: A variety of tomato grown from open-pollinated seeds that produce a fruit that is very flavorful and well textured. This fruit has a depth of history, since it was one of the first developed many years ago. The Heirloom tomato is produced in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. As a general rule, the darker the color the more acidic the flavor. Correspondingly, the red varieties will be much sweeter than those being green in color, which are typically more tart, while the purple and black colored varieties provide fruit that is rich in flavor, and very acidic.
So, what's the big deal with open pollinated and heirloom tomatoes... Open pollinated varieties (vs. hybrid varieties) are a great thing for those of us who keep the seeds to grow next year (and many years to come). If you try to keep the seeds of a hybrid variety, you will NOT get a plant that is "true to type", meaning - it won't look, taste, smell anything like it's parent plant. But open pollinated seed will grow exactly like "Mom and Dad"... So if you are interested in seed saving (a task close to my heart) make sure you are looking for open pollinated varieties!!
What do I mean by Heirloom tomatoes? Well, depending on your source, I found a great definition at GardenPlate.com
So while I don't plan to have tons of varieties in my garden this year (maybe next year), I want to share with you the best heirlooms I've had the pleasure of working with!
SUNGOLD: My Winner for Best Taste! This cherry variety is the sweetest tomato I've ever tasted! CONS - it's a hybrid, so I can't keep the seed of this little beauty but it's worth the price of the seed - Trust me on this one! Make sure you trellis this one - it grows tall and will mature in 55-60 days!
Russian Black: An heirloom from the lower Ukraine, this one does really well in colder climates (like where I live in Upstate NY). Maturing in 60 -70 days, these mahogany tomatoes grow pretty compact (although still you need to trellis). These blend sweet and acidic perfectly!
Caspian Pink: This tomato beat the "original heirloom - Brandywine" in taste tests!!! You'll get great yields of large (12 oz) tomatoes that taste unbelievably wonderful!
COPIA: Not only is this little one beautiful with yellow and red stripes but OHHHH the flavor! Very Juicy and Sweet! Even the inside is marbleized - You have got to grow this one!
Mexico Midget: This sweet cherry will produce all season and can be grown wonderfully in a container for those who don't have extra garden space! Maturing in 60- 70 days these 1/2" fruits are great sprinkled on a salad!
So that's where I'll stop but there are tons more I"ll have to share with you on a later date!
Here are some other blogs that spotlight heirlooms:
- First Tomato 2008: Tiny Farm Blog
- More Heirloom Tomato Discussion: Home and Garden Blogger
- Plants from "The Tasteful Garden" to your Backyard: Veggie Garden Tips
- Heirloom Tomato Classic Dishes: Heirloom Tomatoes WOW What Flavor
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