Intro on Heirloom Tomatoes
heirloom are any works that has been grown for at least 50 age commercially or that has been give down through a family line for at least two generations . Heirlooms have many advantages , specially in a give area or area . They are commonly very well conform to their area ’s climate and soil , are proven to be immune to pestilence in that domain , and often cater consistent flavor and sizes in their yields .
Heirlooms also often have a great history and background signal to them that can be as concerned and fun as the tomatoes themselves . They are also open - pollinated , which means they will acquit seeds for the next generation ’s planting ( unlike hybrids ) .
Top 10 Heirloom Tomatoes for Your Garden
Here are the most popular varieties in North America along with some notes on each to help the gardener know which may be right for them .
1. Beefsteak Tomatoes
These are probably the most usual types of heirloom and the name actually applies to several varieties . When see for seeds , be untrusting that this name is often apply to hybrid materialization from beefsteak types . Beefsteaks are very large comportment plant that develop high-pitched ( 4 - 6 feet ) and behave tomatoes of a pound or better in most climates . They are comparatively easy to grow , but are very water system sensitive and take a consistent watering regime to stay healthy .
2. Brandywine Tomatoes
Brandywine are relatively large tomatoes with an excellent flavor with a pinkish hue ( crimson flesh see through a mostly clear skin ) . Coming from Ohio , these tomatoes have become far-flung and geographic varieties are all over the United States and Canada . This is probable the most well - known heirloom motley and it ’s very wanton to rise almost anywhere .
3. Cherokee Purple Tomatoes
These are a beefsteak variety with an unusual green shoulder and what in tomato - speak is called calamitous coloring ( aka purple ) at bottom . They are very tasty and grow on very orotund plant life with big fruit bearing capabilities . A smaller variety call up the Black Pear has the same smoky sapidity of the Cherokee ’s , but grows on a small plant return love apple of about half the size . Both are easy to turn in most North American mood and are a great heirloom for the beginning gardener .
4. German Stripe Tomatoes
German Stripe are some of the largest love apple available , these boat - forge yellow - gold behemoth can be up to two pounds in weight . Pink and red streak punctuate the fruit and these are fantabulous slicing tomatoes for sandwiches and tomato bowl recipe . Easy to arise just about anywhere with a long enough time of year ( up to 120 daylight ) .
5. Green Zebra Tomatoes
Green Zebra is a playfulness diversity of green tomato with scandalmongering zebra streak throughout . These are sharp tomatoes that never lose their green coloring ( the yellow darkens as the love apple ripens ) . Very democratic amongst picklers and fryers , these Lycopersicon esculentum are relatively sluttish to maturate in most parting of the country .
6. Hillbilly Tomatoes
Hailing from West Virginia ( hence the name ) , these are large , often odd - shaped orange Lycopersicon esculentum with interesting red streaks throughout the physical body . They have a high loot content and almost fruity feel and are very democratic for salad and to consume raw like orchard apple tree . They grow well in zones 3 - 4 .
7. Japanese Tomatoes
These Lycopersicon esculentum resemble oversize Romas in look and are popular because of their larger size of it and sweetened flavor . They produce well in warmer area , but can require some tutelage to knuckle under good fruit . Probably not a good tomato for the beginning gardener .
8. Mexican Tomatoes
Also be intimate as the Red Calabash , these come from Chiapas in Mexico . They are large beefsteaks with a succulent feeling . They are slight - skinned and by and large only arise well in the southern states , especially those of the Western U.S.
9. Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes
Mortgage Lifters get their name from the Great Depression when they were grown by a man in West Virginia so as to pay off his mortgage . They began as a beefsteak cross of three or four mixture ( German , Italian and English ) to create a melt pot beefsteak . They are excellent when eaten roasted and grow well in most of the midway states .
10. Polish Linguisa Tomatoes
Polish Linguisa tomato are a variety of Lycopersicon esculentum that looks more like a red white pepper than a love apple . They are very sweet and highly generative , produce a lot of yield during the season . They are great for library paste , sauces and well suited to growing in the Northeast .
Where to Find Heirloom Tomatoes
The full position to find heirlooms are at seed exchanges or through heirloom specific catalogue outlets . Most on this list are democratic enough that they can be found at a variety of sources and the seeds will not be prohibitively expensive .
Want to learn more about heirloom tomatoes for the garden?
check up on out these resource : Seed Savers ExchangeHeirloom Tomato VarietiesDiversity in a Collection of Heirloom Tomato Varietiesfrom U.S. Department of Agriculture
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