The Joy of Heirloom Tomatoes

Though the specific definition is argued, heirloom tomatoes are those grown from seeds which have been handed down from generations of frugal, food-loving gardeners. The best tomato of each year’s crop is picked at its peak; the seeds are scooped out and put through a short process that removes the pulp from the seeds. They are thoroughly dried and stored in a dry, cool place in paper packets for the next season.

They are open-pollinated (not hybrid.)If you plant an heirloom tomato seed, you get the same tomato from your plants as the tomato the seed came from. Saving the seed is a thrifty, environmentally sound, healthful practice.

One of the top reasons for growing heirlooms is taste! Big companies grow tomatoes for skin thickness, uniform ripening, or shelf life. The taste of the tomato takes a back seat in the bus of priorities. Sure, saving seeds is thrifty too, but that really pales when it comes to the awesome taste of some of the older heirlooms.

Growing heirlooms is pretty easy. Usually they are started indoors in small pots, possibly transplanted once or twice indoors depending on the length of your growing season. When they are taken outdoors, it is good to give them a little taste of the sun each day, lengthening it each day before setting them in the garden. They are set deep in the garden’s soil, so that most of the main stem or trunk of the plant is below ground. This will help them grow stronger roots. They need side dressings of compost or well rotted manure, and a good deep drink of water every few days. Keep the bugs off, and tomato heaven is yours!