Heirloom Tomatoes

[jo9919]

I would like to have a go at some heirloom tomatoes next year. Can anyone point me in the right direction of a good website to buy the seeds from, and also let me know which varieties you recommend.
I'm looking for some medium sized tomatoes and also cherry tomatoes, not beefsteaks or plums.
Thanks,
Jo.

[jo9919]

[saddad]

We are intending to sell plants next May at an Open Day... we have over 50 varieties...
Whereabouts are you? We could let you taste some at our Open Day next Sunday...  ;D

[grannyjanny]

Ooooooooh tastings. I love tastings.

[jo9919]

Shameless plugging of your open day, Saddad  ;D I'll let you off  ;)

Unfortunately, I work on Sundays, so can't make your open days. Any recommendations you can give me?

Jo.

[Robert_Brenchley]

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/index.html

http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk/

http://brownenvelopeseeds.com/index.php/

Seed swaps here are a good source as well.

[saddad]

Where to start... I know of about 500 varieties, although only grown about 50. If you join HSL you get 7 packets a year and they have a really wide range of heirloom toms.. Do you have any colour preferences?
Black are very popular at the moment... but not every one likes them, I like greens but not every one does...
:)

[tonybloke]

p.m. me your address, i'll send some! ;)

[jo9919]

Thanks for your replies.

Those websites look good, Robert. Thank you.

Saddad, I've only grown red tomatoes previously, but don't mind trying other colours.

Tony, many thanks for your generous offer. PM sent.

Jo.

[thifasmom]

I like greens but not every one does...
:)

i tried a green in 2007 but was in a quandary as to when to pick them :-\, so gave them away in swaps last winter.

[saddad]

Are you intending to try outside or under glass Jo?

[jo9919]

Under glass. I've only got a small greenhouse so don't grow many plants, but like to try new varieties.

I can understand what you mean Thifasmom. I would probably be in a quandry over whether they were ripe too!

[thifasmom]

I can understand what you mean Thifasmom. I would probably be in a quandry over whether they were ripe too!

it was really silly i wanted to try them both raw and cooked but all the ones i tried raw tasted well... green and unripened so used them cooked only.

[saddad]

Most greens take on a "yellowish" and translucent "hue" difficult to describe but easy to spot... avoid Green sausage... I love it but it is prostrate and the slugs love them... as soon as the skins soften they get eaten...  :'(

[angle shades]

 :) I grow loads and use Plants of Distinction for seeds and the Heritage seed Library(membership not renewed.. how stupid am I ::))

My faves are Cherokee Purple and Black Krim which are very large toms but taste fantastic,

for a cherry tom try Brown Berry I will grow this again next year, wonderful sharpe taste/ shades x

[thifasmom]

Most greens take on a "yellowish" and translucent "hue" difficult to describe but easy to spot... avoid Green sausage... I love it but it is prostrate and the slugs love them... as soon as the skins soften they get eaten...  :'(

i think it was a green sausage variety i grew as well. i grew it as a cordon, why are you growing prostrate?

with your tip about when to tell its ripe, maybe i'll give a green one a go again next year but only if i get some in the winter swaps.

[Eristic]

Can I suggest Aurora and Tangella.

[saddad]

I'll send you some "Charlie-Green" if you want... Rekellah. It is a cordon, mid to large fruit, lovely...
Sometimes especially through swaps you get different toms under the same name.. all the "Green-Sausage" I've seen are prostrate...  :-\

Forgot to say I'd agree with Tangella as a choice...

[cleo]

Why buy  when you are one PM away from those who would gladly send you some seeds??

Together we can defeat `Money Maker` ;D

[jo9919]

Thanks everyone.

I've just looked up the one's you mention and the Brown Berry and Tangella sound good choices for what I'm looking for.

My dad swears by Moneymaker, Cleo  ;D  He needs educating  ;)

[saddad]

PM me and I can send you some Tangella...  :)