I grew heirloom tomatoes for the first time last spring.
I was fortunate to have a very successful tomato season and we got to try many new varieties that we had never tasted before:
Call it a quirk, but I always have to have a favorite and, last October, I blogged about my new favorite tomato, the Riesentraube, the most delicious heart-shaped cherry-type tomato imaginable:
Now it's the new year and guess what time it is? It's indoor tomato-starting time! Would anybody like some heirloom tomato seeds?
Saved at the end of last season, the tomato seeds I have to share are:
* Riesentraube - an heirloom German cherry-type tomato
* Egg Yolk - a sweet, yellow tomato about the size and color of an egg yolk
* Starpit Imperial - a sweet, red tomato, approximately 2 to 3" in size
About a week ago I sowed a number of new "test" tomato varieties, a few old stand-bys, and some of my own saved seeds from last year. They're growing well:
Again, your choices are:
1) Riesentraube:
In October, my potted Riesentraube was still going strong so I moved it into the house to avoid the frost:
2) Egg Yolk tomatoes:
These grew anywhere from this ping pong ball size:
to a larger handball size:
and 3) Starpit Imperials:
You may find an occasional Starpit tomato looking like this:
...but mostly they will look more like this:
I have done my own viability test on the seeds I saved and am pleased to say that they do sprout:
So, let me know if anyone is interested in trying any of the heirloom tomatoes that were the biggest hits in my garden last year.
I don't have a huge quantity of seeds, but I do have more than I can possibly use and would love to share.
**3/09/10 UPDATE: In the comments section of this post, I have included an email address that you can send your seed requests to! :-) **
Sadly, I've given up on tomatoes. The last two years just knocked all the heart out of me.
ReplyDeleteYours are just beautiful and it's so cool you did so well with heirlooms.
Fun WV--swayin
I'm so jealous of your tommies! We're into Autumn and they still haven't ripened yet! Well some have but not in gigantic proportions to enable me to make pasta sauces! Sigh!
ReplyDeleteDanni - You are so kind to offer your seeds!!! I like large tomatoes, the kind you can make tomato sandwiches out of. Last year I grew 2 different types, but I didn't like them too much. I like small tomatoes in salads, but growing up in the Garden State, I got addicted to those big red thick cut tomaters.
ReplyDelete~Lynn
I bet you have more requests than you can handle already! You have inspired me to get planting some seeds and since tomatoes are my favorite...I'll beg for one or two seeds.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any of the Riesentraube I would love to try those. We end up with about 1/4 of an acre garden each year. The small and cherry tomatoes usually end up either in my flower gardens or large pots.
ReplyDelete~~Matt~~
I am interested in some seeds. I've never tried heirlooms. I have a hard time putting out tomato plants here because the wind tears them down. Tomatoes started late from seeds do much better in my garden. You can contact me through my blog. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYay for tomatoes! I'm so happy there's some interest!! If you'd like seeds, please send an email - with which seeds you'd like and your mailing address - to critterfarm . garden @ gmail.com (remove spaces).
ReplyDelete:-) :-) :-)
I still need to check my current seed supply before I ask for any of your wonderful heirloom seeds. I also need to find the Thessaloniki tomato seeds that I know I saved away to send to you. I hope I can find them in all of my clutter! You are so far ahead of me in your gardening this year.
ReplyDeleteI am having severe tomato envy. I can't wait to start my garden.
ReplyDeleteDanni - you are so sweet to offer! You really are an amazing gardener - I enjoyed watching your garden grow last year, and look forward to it this year!
ReplyDeletei would love to try any of your seeds especially the reisentraube. i will swap something with you so send your address to me when you receive my email!
ReplyDeleteYOur tomatoes are beautiful! I am trying new seed this year and hoping to save seeds on the best,you are an inspiration since you had such success! Growing them down here is challenging because we get too hot too soon,and the never ending humidity!
ReplyDeleteReally? I would love some seeds. Thank you for being so generous.
ReplyDeleteSign me up! Just a few should do. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe'd love to try some of the Riesentraube (sp?) and the Starpit-but only about 6 seeds each. We have a small raised bed garden in NW Washington. Would you like some French Romain long beans to try? We have extras. The beans are a dark burgundy color. How do we contact you?
ReplyDeleteI would love some seeds from Critter Farm! You choose for me. We love the small pop in your mouth variety.
ReplyDeletewould love to try any of your varieties that might still be left ... thanks so much for sharing and for your wonderful posts.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any Peanut seeds you could spare?
ReplyDeleteMe again.
ReplyDeletePlease send an email, stating which seeds you'd like and your mailing address, to:
critterfarm . garden @ gmail.com (remove spaces).
Quesiton: When do you actually plant the tomatoes you are starting to grow now? We have frost late into April even May here and though my tomato plants grew big and strong, the tomatoes didn't seem to have enough time to ripen. But we had fried green ones and they were OK.
ReplyDeleteThey all look so good Danni! You really have a green thumb don't you. I've started outdoor plants today. Spinach, peas, carrots and lettuce. I should have started my tomatoes weeks ago I think. If you have any left, I'll take some, any will do, and just a few. I'm planning on starting some tomatoes soon. I just got a Burpee big boy or something. Some gardener I am!!! Don't worry if you run out before you send any this way. There's always next year. Thanks girl!
ReplyDeleteI never seem to have any luck at growing tomatoes. 5 years now!
ReplyDeleteHeirloom, greenhouse, seed packets and nothing!!
I'm going to try this one last time and hopefully I will be canning tomato juice by late july.
Oooooo...I love to talk tomatoes!!! And you had a fantastic bounty of tomatoes last season. As I know you will again this season. :-) I dont need any seeds(thank you for offering). Im just gonna come by and get the actual fruit off the vine.....:-)
ReplyDeletelook at your gorgeous tomato bounty, I'm just eat up with Spring fever :-)
ReplyDeleteYou've managed to take the most beautiful photos of your seedlings and tomatoes. I can remember my father growing the most amazing tomatoes and sadly, we've not had luck. I just bought one of those hanging basket jobs and thought we'd at least give that a try this year.
ReplyDeleteWe love tomatoes and cherry tomatoes are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteTwo years ago we had tomatoes aplenty, alas, last year we didn't get any.
It must be wonderful to be able to have a steady growing season. Do your animals contribute to your gardens fertilizer?
would love to come by with "frugalmom" and actually get the fruit off the vine but unfortunately Alabama is a little far from Oregon! I sent my seed request if any left. Thanks for sharing and thanks for sharin the lovely pictures. Not many people could make tomatoes so poetic!
ReplyDeleteEmily, Emily, Emily!! If you're out there and still want some tomato seeds, please send me an email with your address. I'm packaging up seeds right now and you're the only one I don't have an address for! :-)
ReplyDeleteIs it too late to request a 'Riesentraube' or two?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tomatoes, gorgeous photos! I can't believe yours are sprouting already. Makes my heart skip a bit!
Wow, those tomatoes sure look good. Here's hoping you have a bumper crop this year!
ReplyDeleteJust seeing all those tomato photos was inspiring! Awwwhhh, August....
ReplyDelete