Not All Tomatoes Are Heirlooms
The catch-all phrase "Oh, you grow heirloom tomatoes" drives me a little nuts - it's like any tomato at a farmer's market or Pop-up is an heirloom. NOPE.
"Heirlooms are defined as a type of tomato that is grown from seeds that have been passed down through generations, typically for at least 50 years. They are known for their unique flavors, colors, and shapes, which differ significantly from standard hybrid tomatoes. Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated, meaning they are pollinated naturally and maintain their genetic traits over time, resulting in a diverse range of varieties. Unlike hybrid tomatoes, heirloom varieties are often prized for their taste."
I think we all agree that heirlooms taste WAY better than grocery store hybrids - which were created for a long shelf-life and to travel great distances, the result is very little flavor. Heirlooms have stood the test of time and, you can save their seeds and they will come back true. So many good varieties too, some of my favorites: Black Krim, Persimmon, Siberian Pink Honey, Rose de Berne…
But did you know? There are breeders today actively making new open-pollinated tomatoes! New flavors, colors, disease prevention, and suited to cooler or warmer climates. I've very much enjoyed growing quite a few new modern tomatoes this year - I love supporting the breeding work happening now! Here are some of the stand outs, and seeds I'll have on sale soon!!
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Preview Tomato Seeds
All of the above are new, and there are two varieties I'll be offering, I believe, exclusive to Sugar Moon Gardens Bloodstone by Karen Oliver and Tupelo Honey by Theresa Smith - two of my favorite new tomatoes this year. ETA for the sale, sometime in early October!!
Looking forward: As the gardening geek I am, I'm already getting ready for next year!! I'll be growing these wonderful varieties from Bill Yoder - he likes to name his tomatoes after songs from 80's bands:
Top row: Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf, Raspberry Beret
Bottom row: Suffer Well, Just Can't Get Enough, Strangelove
