Red Tomatoes

	Abraham Lincoln TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49101 Price:$2.35 Quantity in Basket: none
(Early Abraham Lincoln) 70 days. (ab, asc) (Indeterminate) [The original 'Abraham Lincoln' was a late-maturing variety introduced about 1923. This early season introduction (circa 1975) ripens 10 to 12 days earlier, has smaller fruit, and does not have the bronze-green foliage characteristic of the original.] Flavor is slightly acidic but distinctive. Plants have excellent resistance to foliage disease. The red, medium-sized fruits are uniform and free of defects. Highly recommended where foliage disease is a problem. Pkt. Featured in the April/May 2008 Mother Earth News
	Quantity:
	Abraham Lincoln TOMATO 1.5g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49101A Price:$5.50 Quantity in Basket: none
	Quantity:
	Oxheart TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49116 Price:$2.65 Quantity in Basket: none
88 days. (Indeterminate) [The oxheart shape is the result of a single gene mutation, about 1925. Oxheart tomatoes are somewhat similar to meaty ponderosa types, except for the distinctive shape.] Heavy yielding vines produce extra large, pink, oxheart-shaped tomatoes weighing 1 to 2 lbs. Flesh is firm and meaty with few seeds and mild flavor. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Homestead 24 TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49121 Price:$2.30 Quantity in Basket: none
(asc, cf, cr, fw1) 80 days. (Semi-determinate) [Introduced 1966.] 'Homestead 24' was developed for hot humid coastal areas, especially Florida. It is often grown in the Mid Atlantic region as well, where it reliably sets fruit at high temperatures. Fruits ripen to red 8 oz. slightly flattened globes. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Marglobe VF (Marglobe Improved) TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49126 Price:$2.35 Quantity in Basket: none
(vw, fw1, asc, clm, nhr, st, sun) 70 days. (Determinate) [A select strain of the old favorite 'Marglobe' originally released by the USDA in 1925. 'Marglobe' was first developed in 1917 from a cross between 'Marvel' and 'Globe'.] 'Marglobe' has been in demand for several generations while many other varieties have come and gone. This selection has been improved for disease resistance. Fruits are red, medium-sized, 5 to 8 oz. with firm walls and good flavor. Plants are stocky, vigorous, and have excellent disease tolerance. Vine growth is uniform and provides good protection from sun scald. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Mortgage Lifter VFN TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49129 Price:$2.50 Quantity in Basket: none
83 days. (ab, asc, vw, fw1, rkn) (Indeterminate) An improved version of 'Radiator Charlie's Mortgage LifterTM' which has added disease resistance, more uniform fruit, ripening to red rather than pink-red. Fruit is large, 10-14 oz, not as large as the original 'Mortgage Lifter', but much more productive. It still deserves the 'Mortgage Lifter' reputation and is one of our most productive and reliable tomatoes. Continues to bear until frost. Pkt. "This is an excellent variety for home or market use." -Cricket Rakita
	Quantity:
	Mortgage Lifter VFN TOMATO 1.5g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49129A Price:$6.50 Quantity in Basket: none
	Quantity:
	Rutgers VF (Rutgers Improved) TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49139 Price:$2.35 Quantity in Basket: none
(vw, fw1, asc, gw) 73 days. (Determinate) ['Rutgers' was developed by the Campbell Soup Company in 1928 from a cross of 'Marglobe' and 'J.T.D.' The variety was later refined by Rutgers University in 1943.] 'Rutgers' rapidly gained acceptance as a quality tomato shortly after its introduction, and it remains well known for its excellent flavor and reliability, especially as a canning variety. 'Rutgers Improved' is a 'Rutgers'-type tomato with additional disease resistance. Plants are compact. Fruits are red with good interior color, 6 oz. or larger and with thick walls. Widely adapted. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Stone TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49140 Price:$2.65 Quantity in Basket: none
78 days. (ab, fw1) (Indeterminate) [Introduced by The Livingston Seed Co. in 1889. The original plant was found by Mr. Nichols between rows of 'Favorite' and 'Beauty'.] Fruits are slightly flattened globes weighing about 5 to 7 oz. with uniform ripening and attractive bright color. A good all-purpose tomato with good keeping quality, especially recommended for canning. Vines are vigorous, highly branched, and provide good protection of the fruit. Fruits are somewhat acidic, and not as sweet as other varieties, but 'Stone' is a dependable, very drought hardy tomato that will last the full season. This old variety has shown better resistance to foliage disease and fruit rot than some of the other old varieties we have grown. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Stupice TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49141 Price:$2.65 Quantity in Basket: none
62 days. (Indeterminate) A garden mainstay. [Czechoslovakian origin.]. ''Stupice' is early bearing, productive, disease tolerant, and flavorful. It usually produces until frost. Fruits have a depth of flavor with a wonderful balance of sweetness and tartness. Juicy 2 oz. fruits are produced in clusters of 6 to 8 with a concentrated fruit set near the base of the plant. Fruit ripens to red (with an orange undertone) with some tendency for green shoulders later in the season. A great salad tomato. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Tropic VFN TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49145 Price:$2.85 Quantity in Basket: none
(vw, fw1, asc, rkn, ab, clm, gw, st, tmv1, tmv4, sun, cr) 80 days. (Indeterminate) [Developed by the Univ. of Fla.] This exceptionally disease-resistant variety has excellent versatility as a garden, greenhouse, or market tomato. The fruit averages 8 to 9 oz., is thick-walled, and tends to sit high on the vine under a protective cover of foliage. The sweet flavored fruits ripen to red with slight green shoulders. Recommended highly for the Mid-Atlantic, and hot, humid disease-prone areas, especially where blight is a problem. Pkt. "This year, this tomato was still producing good stuff for our sandwiches long after all the other tomatoes had gone kaput. I would recommend those who like to eat tomatoes fresh all summer and into the early fall plant at least a few of these." -Radish Bruce
	Quantity:
	Tropic VFN TOMATO 1.5g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49145A Price:$5.50 Quantity in Basket: none
	Quantity:
	Wins All TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49151 Price:$2.85 Quantity in Basket: none
80 days. (Indeterminate) [Introduced in 1924 as 'Number 400' by Peter Henderson and Co. Renamed 'Wins All' in 1925 after a naming contest.] Large, pink, slightly flattened fruits with few seeds. Great flavor makes it worth growing despite its lower yields. One of the most frequently requested varieties in the seed swap section of a national gardening magazine. Pkt
	Quantity:
	Druzba TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49157 Price:$2.50 Quantity in Basket: none
(ab, ber, cf, cr) 75 days. (Indeterminate) [Bulgarian heirloom. Introduced in 1995 by SESE. Original seed sent to SESE by Carolyn Male.] 'Druzba' is a productive variety with excellent juicy sweet flavor. Fruits are borne 2 to 4 to a cluster, weigh an average of 5 oz. and measure 2" high by 3" wide. Although the fruit walls are tender, they are resistant to fruit diseases, cracking, and blossom end rot. Produces a large percentage of uniform ripening, high quality blemish-free fruit. Well liked at farmer's markets. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Tappy's Heritage TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49185 Price:$2.95 Quantity in Basket: none
85 days. (Indeterminate) [Selected by Merlyn Niedens from a cross of Tappy's Finest and a red-fruited tomato.] The best features of Tappy's Finest have been combined with more uniformity and red color. 6-oz red fruits have excellent sweet full flavor and a meaty texture. Good insect and disease resistance. A mainstay garden variety that should have appeal to fresh market growers as well. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Mule Team TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49187 Price:$2.75 Quantity in Basket: none
86 days. (Indeterminate) [Introduced in 1997 by SESE. Heirloom from Joe Bratka. Seed sent by Dr. Carolyn Male.] Aptly named workhorse of a tomato which delivers well and long into the season. 'Mule Team' is notable for its uniform red fruit, weighing 8 to 12 oz., on vines that bear continuously until frost. Fruits are slightly ovate with slightly dented shoulders and are defect-free resulting in a continuous yield with a very high percentage of usable fruit. The fruit is sweet with a slight amount of tang. 'Mule Team' is among our favorites. Pkt. "Market gardeners do not overlook this variety." -Cricket Rakita
	Quantity:
	Sophie's Choice TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49188 Price:$2.95 Quantity in Basket: none
55 days. (Determinate) [Heirloom from Edmonton, Canada, sent to SESE from Dr. Male. Introduced 1997.] The best choice for an extra early tomato - highly productive, flavorful and large-fruited. By far the earliest variety we offer, 'Sophie's Choice' ripens ahead of all other extra-early varieties in our trials. Unlike other extra-early varieties, the fruits are flavorful and large, averaging 6 to 8 ounces and weighing up to 12 ounces. 'Sophie's Choice' has an orange-red exterior and deep red interior. Produces large fruit on a small plant only 18 to 24" tall. Quality is best in cool climates. Does not handle heat or drought well. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Belii Naliv TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49192 Price:$2.95 Quantity in Basket: none
60 days. (Short indeterminate) Early-bearing variety with sweet and tangy red fruits. Like some other ethnic varieties, fruits are somewhat variable in size and flavor. Crack-resistant fruits average 1-1/2" x 2". Short vines (~42") are suitable for short stakes or ground culture. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Zarnitsa TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49193 Price:$2.95 Quantity in Basket: none
60 days. (short indeterminate) 'Zarnitsa' translates from the Cyrillic as "summer lightning". An early bearing, productive, red fruited variety with fruit averaging 2" high x 2-1/2" wide. Vines are short and suited for staking or ground culture. An outstanding feature of this variety is its flavor which is well balanced, sweet, buttery, and smooth. Resists cracking. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Neptune TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49195 Price:$2.75 Quantity in Basket: none
(vw1, fw1, fw2, bw, gls) 67 days. (Determinate) [Developed and released to SESE in 1999 by Dr. J. W. Scott at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center at the U. of Florida.] An early to mid-season fresh market tomato specially bred for heat tolerance and resistance to bacteria wilt which is prevalent in the Southeast and Florida. Recommended for gardeners and market growers in hot, humid, rainy growing regions where it is difficult to grow tomatoes. 4-oz red fruits in clusters of 2-4 on short vines. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Glacier TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49196 Price:$2.35 Quantity in Basket: none
58 days. (Determinate) 'Glacier', unlike other extra-early varieties, produces both an early crop and continues to bear the entire season. Flavor is one of the best we offer, especially for an early variety. Bright red fruits average 1-1/4" in diameter. We have had yields of 3/4 bushel per plant. Very cold tolerant and may survive a light frost. Pkt. "This is not the best market variety because the fruits all look imperfect. That said, the value of this variety for home growing should not be overlooked. These heavy yielding plants produce great tomatoes with real tomato flavor for salads or slicing. Your kids will eat them once they are cut." -Cricket Rakita
	Quantity:
	Illini Star TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49199 Price:$2.25 Quantity in Basket: none
65 days. This new open-pollinated tomato was developed by Merlyn Niedens. It produces heavy crops of 6-8 oz. Deep red tomatoes. They have an excellent flavor and strong disease and split resistance. This tomato is strongly recommended to market growers and home gardeners alike. Pkt.
	Quantity:
	Martian Giant Slicer TOMATO .16g seed, USDA Certified Organic Code: 49202 Price:$2.25 Quantity in Basket: none
95 days. (Semi-determinate) Originally developed for organic market gardeners by Seeds of Change and further selected by Bill Reynolds of Eel River Produce. A juicy red slicing or beefsteak tomato with a firm texture and a good acid/sweet balance. It has done well in our trials---even in the very wet 2004 season it produced loads of big, beautiful tomatoes for our grower's Saturday market stall.
	Quantity:
	Hazelfield Farm Red TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49213 Price:$2.50 Quantity in Basket: none
80 days. (Indeterminate) Found as a volunteer in the farmers’ field that was performing better than any of the planted tomatoes! Medium-height plants produce 8-oz flattened red tomatoes. This highly productive variety is a favorite at the Lexington Kentucky Farmers’ Market. Pkt
	Quantity:
	Illinois Beauty TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49214 Price:$2.50 Quantity in Basket: none
80 days. (Indeterminate) [Selected by grower Merlyn Niedens from an accidental cross] The 6’ plants are heavy producers of 4-6 oz blemish-free fruit. Even in the hot dry summer of 2007 the plants continued to set good quantities of tasty fruit. Preferred by many tasters at a recent Garden Festival. Pkt
	Quantity:
	Super Choice TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49216 Price:$2.50 Quantity in Basket: none
85 days. (Indeterminate) [Kentucky heirloom from Rev. Hobart Pearson of Berea, Kentucky.] Tall (7’) vigorous vines yield 1-1.5 lb classic beefsteak tomatoes with a wonderful flavor and texture perfect for tomato sandwiches. Pkt
	Quantity:
	Good Neighbor TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49224 Price:$2.50 Quantity in Basket: none
80 days [Selected by Mary Ann and Merlyn Niedens.] 6-8 oz fruits abundantly borne on disease-resistant 7’ indeterminate plants. Flavorful fruits resist cracking. A good choice to share with your neighbors. Pkt
	Quantity:
	Joe Thienaman Australian Heart TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49226 Price:$2.50 Quantity in Basket: none
80days. [Louisville, KY family heirloom, originally from Australia.] Moderate production of large, meaty, heart-shaped red fruit. 12 oz fruit have few seeds and great taste. Indeterminate produces until frost. Pkt
	Quantity:
	Mountain Princess TOMATO .16g seed Code: 49228 Price:$2.50 Quantity in Basket: none
68 days [Heirloom from the Monongahela National Forest Region of WV] Determinate, very early and productive. 4-6 oz red fruit is round, smooth, and solid, a good choice for early season farmers markets. Pkt
	Quantity:

CULTURE: Sow seeds 6 weeks before the last frost date for your area. Plant seed 1/4 inch deep in shallow flats and maintain soil temperature in the range of 75-85oF (24-29oC) for good germination. When the seedlings have produced several leaves, transplant to 3” pots to promote root growth. After transplanting, keep seedlings at a lower temperature at night, 50-60oF (10-13oC), to promote earlier flowering in some varieties. Day temperatures should rise to 75-85oF (24-29oC) to promote rapid growth. Expose plants to light and air currents to harden the plants and to encourage stockiness. Water sparingly, but do not allow the growth to become checked. Fertilize with complete, soluble fertilizer or fish emulsion if leaves become yellow and/or purple. Keep phosphorous levels high. Too much nitrogen will delay fruiting. For transplanting to the garden, average soil temperature should be 60-65oF (16-18oC). SPACING: Staked plants should be spaced about 18 to 24” apart. Caged plants should be spaced about 24 to 36” apart. DISEASES: Plant disease-resistant varieties for a sustained harvest. Leaf blight diseases such as early blight and alternaria begin to appear about mid-July, and plants are more susceptible once fruit production begins. To reduce disease problems, use resistant or tolerant varieties and rotate tomatoes to different parts of the garden each year, using a three-year rotation. Fusarium wilt (race 1), a disease caused by a soil fungus, is common in the Mid-Atlantic region during mid- to late-season. Fusarium races 1 and 2 are present in southern regions. Where fusarium wilt is present a six-year rotation or use of resistant varieties is recommended. Do not plant eggplants, peppers, or potatoes in wilt-infested soil during the rotation period. Avoid planting tomatoes near walnut trees to avoid “walnut wilt”. Early blight and anthracnose are common in the Mid-Atlantic region, and are favored by hot, humid conditions. Late blight is more common in inland regions at higher elevations, especially during the spring and fall. Blossom-end rot is prevented by ensuring an adequate level of soil calcium, and steady moisture. KEY TO TOMATO DISEASE TOLERANCE: Known disease tolerance or resistance is indicated in brackets after the variety name. Many factors affect disease resistance and results may vary from region to region and from season to season. Disease resistant varieties will not be totally disease-free but they will resist or tolerate disease better than other varieties. Note that many heirloom tomatoes have not been extensively tested for disease tolerance either in the laboratory or in extensive field trials- absence of disease resistance information in the variety description does not imply lack of resistance. DISEASE RESISTANCE ABBREVIATIONS:      ab = Alternaria (early blight) fw2 = Fusarium wilt, race 2 asc = Alternaria stem canker gw = Gray wall an = Anthracnose gls = Gray leaf spot ber = Blossom end rot lb = Late blight bw = Bacteria wilt nhr = Nail head rust cf = Cat facing rkn = Root knot nematode clm = Cladosporium leaf mold st = Stemphylium spot cr = Crack resistance sun = Sun scald cs = Crease stem tmv = Tobacco mosaic virus fw1 = Fusarium wilt, race 1 vw = Verticillium wilt PESTS: Tomatoes planted in healthy soil will generally have few severe pest problems. FLAVOR: Type of fertilizer used has an effect on flavor. Highly flavored tomatoes are sometimes subject to “off flavors” under certain growing conditions. Avoid placing freshly harvested tomatoes in the refrigerator because refrigeration will destroy much of the delicate flavor. Tomatoes are best stored at a temperature above 50oF (10oC). SEED SAVERS: Isolate varieties of L. lycopersicon by a minimum of 35’ for home use and 75’ to 150’ for pure seed. Isolate varieties of L. pimpinellifolium species from all other tomato species by a minimum of 150’. MATURATION DATES: Days to maturity are the number of days after transplanting. PACKET: Seed size varies considerably, 0.08 to 0.16 g (about 40 to 83 seeds, depending on variety, average 64 seeds) sows 100’. SEEDS/OZ: 7000 to 15,000 seeds/oz. (average 11,500) sows 3/4 to 1-1/2 acre of transplants at 18” spacing in rows 4’ apart.

DETERMINATE AND INDETERMINATE VARIETIES: Determinate varieties are short-vined plants that seldom need staking. Blossoms and fruit develop about the same time. Indeterminate varieties are long-vined plants that bear fruit continuously. These varieties should be caged or staked. Some varieties are semi- determinate. MULCHING: Too much mulch on the soil in the spring may delay growth by preventing soil temperature from rising enough to support active root growth. Starting at the end of June, apply a deep mulch around plants to conserve moisture and increase yield. YIELD: Too much nitrogen after transplanting will delay flowering. High levels of phosphorus are necessary to produce good yields. Pruning and staking increases earliness to fruiting at the expense of yield. Indeterminate varieties may be pruned if necessary. Pruning of determinate varieties should be kept to a minimum. For largest yields, cages 2’ wide by 5’ tall are recommended for indeterminate varieties.