13th Edition
2018 Seed Catalogue Jeffrey Casey www.caseysheirloomtomatoes.ca info@caseysheirloomtomatoes.ca
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Introduction It is with great pleasure that I offer my thirteenth heirloom tomato seed catalogue for your perusal. My love for growing vegetables has grown exponentially from my first minuscule plot out behind my teachers’ housing unit in a small town (Kamikawa-cho) in Hokkaido, Japan to my
Perfect Black Cherry Hearts
current garden in 2017 which I grew over 90 tomato plants. Growing heirloom tomatoes has turned me into a passionate hobbyist so much so that I firmly believe that others should also grow them and this provided the genesis for my heirloom tomato catalogue. The exact definition of an heirloom tomato may evoke controversy amongst some growers as some believe that only after 50 years can a tomato be called an heirloom. I prefer to think of an heirloom as “something of value that can be passed on to the next generation”. Our ancestors practised diligently the time honoured tradition of saving the seed from the harvest to be planted again the following year. It is precisely because someone took the time to save the seed for a variety they thought was delicious enough to grow the following year that I am able to offer a wide range of heirloom tomatoes in terms of shapes, sizes, colours, flavours and textures. I have tried my utmost to research the history of each variety and provide it for you, however, some varietal histories are unfortunately lost in time. I have done my utmost to ensure the purity of my seeds that I offer by bagging the blossoms and naturally fermenting the seeds. Every seed I have raised myself in my organic backyard garden in the city of Airdrie, Alberta, Canada (Zone 3a). Keeping track of and photographing so many tomatoes throughout the growing season reflects my own view that I like to see a picture of a tomato before I grow it; similarly, I use colour labels for my seed packets. I hope you, too, will share my passion for growing tomatoes with history.
Jeffrey Casey
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Index Cherries Pinks Hearts Greens (when fully ripe) Blacks Orange/Yellow/Whites Striped/Bi-Colours Paste Reds Japanese Peppers
7 16 22 24 25 28 34 38 40 52
The standard Days to Maturity is, at best, a guess given that weather and the gardener’s own cultural practices vary greatly. I find the following classification to be more informative: Early less than 65 days Midseason 65∼80 days Late 80+ days All varieties are indeterminate unless otherwise noted. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Index Guide to the Best (Non-Cherry) Tomatoes To Grow Outdoors in Calgary (zone 3a) Aichi First (p. 16) Dwarf Arctic Rose (p. 16) Lime Green Salad (p. 24) JD’s Special C-Tex (p. 26) Rosella Purple (p. 24) Rozovaya Bella (p. 27) Vorlon (p. 27) Azoychka (p. 28) Big Sungold Select (p. 28) Citron Compact (p. 29) Native Sun (p. 31) Native Orange Sun (p. 31) Orange-1 (p. 31) Sugary Yellow (p. 32) Yellow Brute (p. 33) Utyonok (p. 33) Mr. Stripey (p. 36) Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye (p. 36) Auria (p. 38) Bonsai (p. 38)
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
Bloody Butcher (p. 41) Czech Bush (p. 41) Early Lethbridge(p. 41) Early Siberian (p. 42) Japanese Dwarf (p. 43) Kimberley (p. 43) Kron Prince (p. 43) Lucky Leprechaun (p. 44) Lyana (p. 44) Mano (p. 45) Matina (p. 45) Maya & Sion’s Airdrie Classic (p. 46) Moravsky Div (p. 47) Mountain Princess (p. 47) Silvery Fir Tree (p. 50) Sophie’s Choice (p. 50) Stupice (p. 50) Sugary Pounder (p. 50)
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Index Guide to the Best Tomatoes To Grow in Pots: Al Star Cherry (p. 7) Maglia Rosa (p. 12) Rejina (p. 12) Rejina Yellow (p. 13) Sweet Tumbler (p. 14) Venus (p. 14) Dwarf Arctic Rose (p. 16) Dwarf Champion Improved (p.17) New Big Dwarf (p. 19) Sweet Adelaide (p. 21) Yukon Quest (p. 21 ) Lime Green Salad (p. 24) Chocolate Champion (p. 25) Rosella Purple (p. 26) Citron Compact (p. 29) Coastal Pride Orange(p. 29) Dwarf Sweet Sue (p.2 9) Golden Dwarf Champion (p. 30) Native Sun (p. 31) Native Sun Orange(p. 31) Utyonok (p. 33)
Orange-1 (p. 31) Dwarf Beauty King (p. 34) Dwarf Russian Swirl (p.34) Fire (p. 34) Auria (p. 38) Bonsai (p. 38) Martino’s roma (p. 39) Marzano Fire (p. 39) Czech Bush (p. 41) Dwarf Stone (p. 41) Early Lethbridge (p. 41) Iditarod Red (p. 42) Japanese Dwarf (p. 43) Kimberley (p. 43) Lucky Leprechaun (p. 44) Lyana (p. 45) Mano (p. 45) Mountain Princess (p. 47) Silvery Fir Tree (p. 50) Sophie’s Choice (p. 50)
※Any tomato can be grown in a pot; however, I have chosen these varieties because of their height and ease of maintenance.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Index Looking for the Japanese hybrid Sungold then you should try these open pollinated alternatives: Ambrosia Gold (p. 7) Sweet Orange II (p. 13) Big Sungold Select (p. 28)
Top TEN Sellers: 1. Martino’s Roma (p. 39) 2. Sweet Tumbler (p. 14) 3. Maya & Sion’s Airdrie Classic (p. 46) 4. Sweet Orange II (p. 13) 5. Bloody Butcher (p. 40) 6. Fahrenheit Sweet Red (p. 10) 7. Black Cherry(p. 8) 8. Japanese Dwarf (p. 39) 9. Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye (p. 36) 10. Jd’s Special C-Tex(p. 32)
New Varieties For 2018: Dikovinka (p. 9) Pink Bumblebee (p. 12) STP Regular (p. 20) Yukon Quest (p. 21) Rozovaya Bella (p. 27) Coastal Pride Orange (p. 29) Dwarf Sweet Sue (p. 29) Native Sun Orange (p. 31) Utyonok (p. 33) Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
Yellow Brute (p. 33) Dwarf Beauty King (p. 34) Dwarf Russian Swirl (p. 34) Auria (p. 38) Bonsai (p. 38) Czech Bush (p. 41) Early Lethbridge (p. 41) Kron Prince (p. 43) Pietro’s Secret (p. 48) page 6 /56
Cherry Al Star Cherry Midseason
Reg Leaf Semi-Determinate
After speaking with a fellow teacher colleague at school one day, Hana Gegolick, I found out her grandfather Al Starko is quite the tomato grower. Hana then told me the story about asking her grandfather if he every did anything illegal when he was younger. He replied, “No.” However, he did bring back to Canada some cherry tomato seed from the Ukraine in 2003 during his visit to his ancestral homeland in a tissue. Al was so completely taken aback by the sweetness of this tomato that he took the seed directly from his mouth and stored in the tissue. I, too, concur that this is a sweet cherry tomato, but unlike your typical cherry with its crunchy texture this one is much softer. Oval shaped fruit with a slight point on the blossom are bourn in clusters of 6 to 8. This large, sprawling plant will need to be supported with a cage as it will grow to well over a meter (3 ft.) tall and wide.
Ambrosia Gold Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
J and L Gardens (NM) developed this variety to meet the demands of farmers’ markets and local restaurants. In my opinion, Ambrosia Gold comes the closest to to the sweetness of the famed Japanese hybrid, Sungold. Ambrosia Gold will produce 16 cherries or so per truss that just burst with sweet, tropical flavour.
Ambrosia Red Early
Regular Leaf
Ambrosia Red is much earlier than Ambrosia Gold. This variety is also very sweet but with more intense tomato flavour than Ambrosia Gold. The remarkable thing about Ambrosia Red is how quickly the fruit ripen up; truss after truss ripen up so quickly in succession that you will enjoy a bountiful harvest. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Cherry Black Cherry Midseason
Regular Leaf
The same rich, smooth taste of a typical black tomato can now be found in a cherry size. Black Cherry will produce up to 50 dusky pink fruit per truss. The greater the amount of exposure to and intensity of UV, the darker the colour of fruit that will be produced. This tomato was bred by the late Vince Sapp (Florida).
Black Opal Midseason
Regular Leaf
Black Opal is a new introduction from Gourmet Genetics. Gourmet Genetics is a partnership between plant breeders Simon Crawford and Mark Rowland; “Breeding objectives are focused on the amateur market, where there is a real need for modern, high quality open pollinated varieties”. Black Opal was bred from Black Cherry and in their words “...has improved growth habit, firmer texture and much better flavour”. I found Black Opal to have a very unique gelatinous texture, basically like a ripe grape. Most surprisingly, the flavour was better than Black Cherry.
Brandywine Cherry Midseason
Potato Leaf
Brandywine Cherry maybe a misnomer given that the fruit size should be classified as a very large cherry, but the taste lives up to the much-vaunted Brandywine name. This variety produces long trusses of very sweet fruit with a depth of flavour not normally found in small tomatoes.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Cherry Brin de Muguet Midseason
Regular Leaf A wonderful French heirloom cherry tomato meaning “Lily of the Valley”. Brin de Muguet produces very large, elongated, deep, sweet red cherry tomatoes that have a slight nipple on the blossom end.
Chocolate Cherry Midseason
Regular Leaf
Aaron Whaley’s (Seed Savers Exchange) lofty goal for this tomato was to make a plant superior and more uniform than Black Cherry. I found Chocolate Cherry to be not quite as rich in taste as Black Cherry but it had a slightly sweeter taste. In addition, Chocolate Cherry fruit are much larger than Black Cherry. It really is a toss-up as to which of the two black cherry tomatoes tastes the best.
Dikovinka Midseason
NEW
Regular Leaf
This pink-black cherry does not taste like a typical black cherry. The best way to describe the taste of this cherry tomato would be to imagine crossing the Japanese hybrid cherry, Sungold, with a black cherry.The flavour is so very unique for this class of cherry tomato that you must try it! I received these seeds from Andrey Barnovski (Minsk, Belarus) who explained that they were a Russian CV (commercial variety).
Dr. Carolyn Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dr. Carolyn’s roots can be traced to Galina’s, which at times can be genetically unstable. The depth of flavour of this small cherry tomato will simply amaze you. The colour of this tomato will range from pale ivory to yellow depending on the weather and foliage cover (the more leaves the lighter the colour). This variety was named in honour of heirloom tomato guru Dr. Carolyn Male, who has raised over 2000 different heirloom tomatoes. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Cherry Fahrenheit Sweet Red Midseason
Regular Leaf
I am overjoyed to introduce what I consider to be the sweetest non-hybrid cherry tomato. I purchased Tom Wagner’s Fahrenheit Blues when he first released it in 2011. Tom wrote: ”This is destined to be one of my HOT blues ! In the hope to fine-tune this variety, I will be looking, along with my lucky customers, to locate seedlings with long truss blue cherry tomatoes. The hotter the temperature and the hotter the sun, the bluer the tomatoes. The hotter the temperatures—the sweeter the flavours. I don’t have many seed but if you want to try this one it is five seed only”. Every year I selected for the best combination of blue tinged tomatoes and flavour. Along the way the tomatoes went from entirely blue to a smudge at the stem to nothing at all so in the end SWEETNESS won out. I wish I would have found a cherry to add to the anthocyanin fad but I am so glad to have spent the last five years stabilizing it to this new variety. Fahrenheit Sweet Red is a firm tomato but is not encumbered by the leathery skin like some cherry tomatoes that leave you wanting to spit them out. Thus, it will last long on and off the vine. In my growing conditions (Earthtainers) it registered 8.0% Brix while my Japanese hybrids measure slightly higher at 8.6% at the beginning of August.
Green Doctors Midseason
Regular Leaf
Green Doctors is one of the best tasting tomatoes you will ever try, little wonder given that its roots can be traced to Dr. Carolyn. Green Doctors is a green cherry sport of Dr. Carolyn and was found in the garden of Dr. Amy Goldman. Victor Schrager named it after a trout fly in honour of Drs. Carolyn Male and Amy Goldman. The sweet lime flavour made this tomato the family favourite of 2008. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Cherry Green Doctors Frosted Midseason
Regular Leaf
In 2009, I grew out the few remaining seeds for Green Doctors that Dr. Male had sent me as I had one extra spot in my garden. I waited patiently for the fruit to take on their characteristic amber blush but thought it was little odd that they were taking so long to ripen up so I did the gentle squeeze test. To my surprise some of the fruits were very soft so I popped one in my mouth and ‘very sweet melon’ thoughts ran through my head. After consulting Dr. Male about what I had here, she became aware that Neil Lockhart (Illinois) experienced the same epidermal mutation (from yellow to clear skin) in his garden from the same batch of seeds that originally came from Dr. Amy Goldman. Neil, Dr. Male and I decided to name this one Green Doctors Frosted as it reminds one of frosted grapes. An interesting side note is that there is only one other clear skinned green when ripe tomato- Tom Wagner’s Verde Claro which is now publicly available.
Isis Candy Midseason
Regular Leaf
Isis Candy is a red cherry tomato that has lovely orange marbling to it and a distinctive cat’s eye on the blossom end. After growing this tomato for many years, I would classify it is a Bi-Colour. This variety produces large cherry tomatoes with a sweet candy-like taste to it.
Maglia Rosa Midseason Reg. Leaf Semi-Determinate Fred Hempel named this variety, pronounced mahlee-yah roh-sah after the famous pink leader’s jersey of the Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy) bicycle race. One of the prettiest tomatoes around! It is pink with faint mottled yellow streaking. Elongated cherry tomatoes with a pronounced point on the blossom end that are produced in clusters of 6 to 8. If you are looking for a cherry tomato that is not your typical “sweet” cherry, then this is one you need to try. Do not sucker just let this one grow. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Cherry Medovaya Kaplya (Honey Drop) Midseason
Potato Leaf
I received these seeds from Dr. Male who in turn had received them from Andrey Barnovski (Minsk, Belarus). Medovaya Kaplya produces adorable 30 g (1 oz.) golden yellow fruits that are sweet and very tasty. Medovaya Kaplya hails from Russia. The photo on the left gives a better picture of the unique shape- an elongated pear with a flat-sided top.
Pink Bumblebee
NEW
Midseason Semi-Determinate Regular Leaf Pink Bumblebee was bred by Fred Hempel (CA) of Artisan Tomatoes. This pink cherry with golden stripes just bursts with a bright sweet flavour. Semideterminate growth habit produce a plethora of fruits.
Rejina Early Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Rejina was introduced by the Japanese vegetable and seed company, Sakata Seeds. I think so highly of this variety that I have replaced Red Robin with it. It is of similar height to Red Robin, 30 cm (12�) but I think the flavour is much sweeter and produces more and larger fruit, too.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Cherry Rejina Yellow Early
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Rejina Yellow is the yellow cherry of Rejina. Similar in size and production to Rejina but with a slightly fruitier taste to it. I have replaced Yellow Canary with this variety.
Sweet Aperitif Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
I am always on the lookout for a sweet treat to pop in my mouth while gardening. Sweet Aperitif is so incredibly sweet that you will think it is a hybrid. The first time I tried it, it knocked me for a loop as I thought to myself how can non-hybrid tomato taste so incredibly sweet. You will not be disappointed with production as the first truss will have up to 30 fruit on it and the later trusses are multi-floral. Simon Crawford and Mark Rowland of Gourmet Genetics developed this tomato with the goal of breeding better tasting open-pollinated tomatoes; they have certainly succeeded with this tomato.
Sweet Orange II Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
This cherry tomato has the same sweet and fruity taste of a large orange tomato. Some of my customers have commented that the flavour of Sweet Orange II makes it a worthy substitution for the hybrid, Sun Gold. Tim Peters of Peters Seed Research is responsible for breeding this variety that will produce 17 grams (5/8 oz.) hanging in clusters of up to 12. I am so grateful to Bobby Johnson Jr. (WA) for sending me his seeds to make this variety more widely available.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Cherry Sweet Tumbler Early Determinate
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
An Australian Open-pollinated tumbler type pink cherry tomato that will only grow 6 to 8” tall. At times it will seem that this plant will produce more flowers than leaves. In terms of taste, this plant lives up to its name “sweet”.
Tommy Toe Midseason
Regular Leaf
One taste of this red cherry tomato and you will see why it is one of Australia’s most popular varieties, even though it originated in the Ozark Mountains. Tommy Toe has a great tomato taste melded with just the right amount of sweetness. Tommy Toe will usually set 12-16 different sized fruit per truss.
Venus Early
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Thompson & Morgan seeds released this variety in 2011. It is such a cute plant with its height coming in at about 15 - 20 cm. (6-8”) which makes it perfect for the window sill or for growing under lights in the winter. Fruity, sweet, small orange cherries are produced.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Cherry Verde Claro Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
I have had my eye on this green-when-ripe, clear skinned elongated cherry tomato every since Dr. Carolyn Male mentioned it on an online tomato forum. Tom Wagner finally released his creation to the public in 2011. The taste of this clear-skinned cherry is one to be savoured as it is very sweet with a slight melon overtone to it.
Yellow Submarine Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
Yellow Submarine is similar to the pre-1800, regular-leafed variety called Yellow Pear. I had been very reluctant to try Yellow Pear given that most people agree that it is a very mild, bordering on tasteless, cherry tomato. I think Yellow Submarine has a nice sweet flavour to it. Fruit shape is slightly more blocky than Yellow Pear. Bill Malin (NM) found this variety in a small Irish seed house named The Organic House and introduced it in 2006.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Pinks Aichi First
愛知ファースト
Midseason
Regular Leaf
This Japanese heirloom traces its roots back to 1938 in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture. (Henderson’s) Ponderosa was brought to Japan during the Meiji Era (1868- 1912) (Henderson’s Ponderosa was introduced in 1891) and was selected for over the years to this very large pink beefsteak- up to 2 pounds. This is the epitome of what a large pink beefsteak should be- rich, meaty, juicy and will easily cover a piece of bread. Even in the challenging growing year we had in 2016, Aichi First was able to pump out the largest tomatoes in my garden.
Arborgast Midseason
Regular Leaf
A grower in Pennsylvania received these seeds from an 85 year old gardener whose grandmother grew these tomatoes. This variety is not widely available but should be due to its productivity and its absolutely delicious taste. The fruit for this variety will usually weigh 10-14 oz. (285-400g).
Dwarf Arctic Rose Early Midseason
Reg. Leaf
Dwarf
I am so proud to offer this Dwarf Tomato Project release. Here is what Craig LeHoullier wrote about this variety: “Developed between 2006-2012 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. Sherry Shiesl and Susan Bailey of Alaska carried out the majority of the selection work on this new variety, which was named collaboratively by them in 2011. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem, grows to 3 feet tall - relatively compact for a Dwarf project release. Fruit are smooth and round to oblate, ranging from 3-8 ounces, and ripen pink (clear skin, red interior). Flavor is well balanced and delicious.” Ted Maiden ( TN) was so very generous with providing me the seed to make this variety more widely available. Make sure you provide this powerhouse of a tomato with plenty of support because its production is prodigious. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Pinks Dwarf Champion Improved Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Dwarf Champion Improved is an example of a class of tomatoes called “tree-type”. (see Golden Dwarf Champion for more information) The original Dwarf Champion was released in 1888 and this improved version of it with sweeter fruit was made available sometime after that date. This tomato is an excellent variety for growing in pots due to its compact nature. Do not sucker it.
Earl’s Faux Midseason
Potato Leaf
A very dedicated tomato grower in Ohio, Earl Candenhead, was expecting Red Brandywine, a regular leaf variety, in a seed trade. He grew out those seeds and was surprised to find a pink fruited potato leaf variety instead. Earl grew it out again the following year and it produced the same pink fruit and leaf type so his seeds were not the result of some sort of unknown cross. Heirloom growers absolutely gush over this variety as they say that it is one of the finest examples of “well-balanced” flavour in a tomato.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Pinks Goose Creek Midseason
Regular Leaf
Goose Creek is one of the most controversial heirloom tomatoes due to its US Patent attempt and rather interesting history promoted by Jimmy Williams (CA). According to the patent application (US 2004/0226061), The Goose Creek tomato line has been developed from seed that was originally planted in the Gullah region of South Carolina. The original Gullah tomato plantings are believed to have been established with seeds brought into the region by African people who had been forcibly taken from Africa to the Gullah region of South Carolina. The seeds used for the original plantings from which the Goose Creek tomato line has been developed were closely held in a single family and passed down through that family for generations. Over the past 51 years seeds from the family legacy have been cultivated and bred to develop a consistent, reproducible line, which is referred to herein as the Goose Creek tomato line. Unfortunately, the historical record for tomatoes of that period indicates that no large smooth tomatoes existed. (see Andrew Smith. The Tomato in America: Early History, Culture and Cockery) Another claim Jimmy makes about this tomato is its unique two stage ripening. The fruit has an unusual characteristic of two distinct stages of ripeness with fruit at the first ripe stage having characteristic green shoulders and an orange coloration on the remainder of the fruit. At the second ripe stage the fruit have a characteristic overall red color. The fruit are edible at both ripe stages. The fruit in the first ripe stage exhibits a medium to firm texture with a citrus-like, fruity flavor. The fruit in the second ripe stage exhibits a soft to medium firmness and is higher in juice and Brix (sugar) content than is present in fruit at the first ripe stage. Thus, the fruit can be harvested at either of two different stages to yield the unique appearance, texture, and flavor properties characteristic of ripeness at each stage. Regardless of this tomato’s background, I found this tomato to be of excellent taste due to its juicy and very sweet, and meaty texture. Goose Creek will produce 6-8+ ounces (170-225+ g) round and oblate fruit that hang in bunches of three to six Sometimes in the world of growing heirloom tomatoes you must trust your seed source that they will provide you with seeds that breed true to the original and that is what I did with this variety. It was not until a very knowledgeable grower in California pointed out that what I had was not the original Goose Creek. I immediately stopped selling my seeds and sourced another vendor for them. I apologize to all who have purchased this variety from me in years past as it was not true to form seed. I am certain that the seeds that I have now are the real Goose Creek. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Pinks New Big Dwarf Midseason Regular Leaf
Dwarf
New Big Dwarf was found by the S.M. Isabell Seed Co. growing in a field of a variety called Ponderosa (large fruited pink) but it had the growing habit of Dwarf Champion (tree-type). In 1915, Isabell released this variety. This tomato is an excellent variety for growing in pots due to its short stature. As with other “tree-type” tomatoes do not sucker it, just let it be and it will grow about 3’ (1 m) high.
Novikov’s Giant-10 (aka Gigant-10 Novikova) Midseason
Regular Leaf
A.I. Novikov, a Russian amateur tomato breeder-enthusiast, developed this exceptionally prolific, large (up to 1 kg), raspberry-pink, ribbed beefsteak tomato during the days of the old USSR. I found this plant to have so many large tomatoes on it that I had to provide additional support for it. This tomato is a rare combination of great taste and extreme productivity, and needs to be more widely grown and appreciated.
Sandul Moldovan Midseason
Regular Leaf
When the Sandul family immigrated to the US from Moldova (eastern Europe) they brought with them their treasured heirloom tomato seeds. Sandul Moldovan will produce deep pink beefsteaks that exhibit some ribbing at the shoulders. The taste of these 12 oz.-1 lb.(340-450 g) fruit is sweet with the flesh being quite dense, almost creamy in texture. In 2008, this tomato was the most productive variety in my garden.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Pinks Sekai Ichi (世界一トマト) Midseason
Regular Leaf
A Japanese heirloom tomato that translates as World’s Number One Tomato. During the pre- and post-war period around Tokyo there developed a tradition of eating medium to large pink tomatoes. This open pollinated pink tomato was selected from a cross between a large Ponderosa (released in 1881 by the Henderson Seed Co.) and a Beef Heart. The fruits weigh approximately 200-250g (7 - 9 oz.) and hang in clusters of 4 to 6. I enjoyed these sweet, juicy fruits that reminded me of the original version of the famous Japanese hybrid- Momotarou (Takii and Co,1985).
STP Regular Midseason
NEW
Regular Leaf
I received feedback from a customer who told me that all of her Stump of the World she planted were coming up regular leaf. I thought this was very strange since I work very hard bagging blossoms to prevent bee crosspollination then there should have been both regular leaf and potato leaf plants; thus, the only possible explanation would be Stump of the World had mutated into a regular leaf version. I grew out that batch of seeds and sure enough it produced all regular leaf plants. I grew it out along side with some older seed for Stump of the World and that seed did produce all potato leaf plants. STP Regular produces the identically same pink fruit as Stump of the World
Stump of the World Midseason
Potato Leaf
Those who think that hybrid tomatoes are more productive than heirlooms should grow Stump of the World. This variety will produce pink beefsteaks of about 1 lb. (450 g) that are quite well balanced in terms of flavour. This tomato came from the amazing private collection of Ben Quisenberry (1887-1986) whose name is associated with the much vaulted Brandywine. Ben was a very religious man and Stump of the World is a biblical reference. To read more about this amazing tomato grower please go to http://www.purewatergazette.net/quisenberry.htm. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Pinks Sweet Adelaide Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Sweet Adelaide produces medium to medium large oblate pink fruit with a balanced, delicious flavour. It is a vigorous and productive variety that makes a wonderful slicing tomato. Sweet Adelaide is another new introduction of the worldwide Tomato Dwarf Project This variety will top out at about one meter (3 feet).
Yukon Quest Midseason
Regular Leaf Dwarf
NEW
Yukon Quest is another great introduction by the worldwide Dwarf Tomato Project. Yukon Quest is one of the shorter dwarves as it barely reaches 1 m (3’). This variety produces oblate pink fruit that weigh between 85 to 170 grams (3 to 6 ozs.) with sweet flavour.
Greenhouse at the height of summer!
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Hearts Cuor di Bue Midseason
Regular Leaf
In the Spring of 2011 I traded heirloom tomato seedlings with a fellow tomato enthusiast in Calgary, AB. His elderly Italian immigrant neighbours grow only one tomato and this is itBull’s Heart. Short stocky plant with wispy foliage, Cuor di Bue will produce up to 900 g (2 lbs.) pink fruit.
Hays’ Tomato Midseason
Regular Leaf
Frances Machum (Alberta) was ever so generous to share this variety with me in 2008. Frances received these seeds from the proprietor, Bob Ponting, of a cafe in Hays, Alberta. The gentleman said they were his family’s heirloom from Bulgaria. The name of this variety has long been lost, so Frances decided to name them after the city of Hays.
Kosovo Midseason
Regular Leaf
A UN worker found this variety in a market in Kosovo, Yugoslavia and sent it back to his father in New Zealand. The UN worker’s father then shared it with a local grower, Glenn Parker, who knew that this variety was a winner. From Glenn this variety was then traded with US heirloom tomato growers. My source for this variety was Dr. Male. Expect to support this plant because it produces many sweet, juicy and meaty heart shaped tomatoes and the occasional double-heart fruit (pictured right) in the 1 lb. (450 g) range. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Hearts Reinhard’s Chocolate Heart Late
Regular Leaf
A heart shaped black tomato that was sent to me by German heirloom grower extraordinaire Reinhard Kraft. Please take look at the photos of the hundreds and hundreds of heirloom tomatoes he has meticulously photographed on his website http://www.reinhard-kraft.de. He also created a green when fully ripe and a purple (black) heart tomatoes. Expect the same rich flavour like all black tomatoes with the meaty texture of a typical heart tomato. Fruits range in weight from 170 to 225 g (6 - 8 ozs).
Russian #117 Late Midseason
Regular Leaf
Do not let the wispy, droopy foliage, characteristic of many heart shaped tomatoes fool you into thinking that this variety will not produce. On the contrary, Russian #117 will produce red hearts and many double hearts in the 1-2 lb. (.5-1 kg) range. The flesh of this variety is something to be savoured because it is so dense yet full of sweet, zippy flavour.
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Greens
(when fully ripe)
Cherokee Green Midseason
Regular Leaf
Heirloom tomato grower expert Craig LeHoullier of North Carolina is responsible for introducing the Cherokee family of tomatoes. Craig grew out some Cherokee Chocolate seeds he received from another grower in 1997. One of those plants produced tomatoes that stayed green when ripe. Thinking that that those seeds were the result of unknown cross, he grew them out the following year and was surprised to find that it produced the same plant and fruit. One explanation how this variety has come into being is that a double mutation of both skin and flesh colour occurred in a Cherokee Chocolate tomato. Fruit size- 6-12 oz. (170-340 g), shape- oblate, and flavour - deep, rich and sweet- are the same as Cherokee Purple and Cherokee Chocolate.
Evergreen Midseason
Regular Leaf
This tomato is also called Emerald Green and Emerald Evergreen. Glecker Seedmen of Metamora, Ohio introduced this tomato in 1950. In 2006, Evergreen was one of the top 3 tomatoes that I grew because of its sweet, spicy taste coupled with incredible production of 10 oz.(280g) fruits. If you have never tried a fully green when ripe tomato then this should be your first choice. You will be able to tell when this tomato is ripe as it will take on an amber tinge.
Lime Green Salad (aka Green Elf) Early
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Tom Wagner created this tomato as well as a few other famous fully ripe green tomatoes: Green Grape and Green Zebra. Lime Green Salad is excellent for growing in pots as the plant will stay quite small (20” x 24” wide). The flavour of these small 3-5 oz.(80-120 g) fruit tends to polarize those who try it because it is quite bold and tangy. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Blacks Cherokee Chocolate Midseason
Regular Leaf
Craig LeHoullier noticed one year that one of his Cherokee Purple plants had much darker fruits than the others. He grew out the seeds the following year and they produced the same dark coloured fruit which was the result of a spontaneous epidermal (skin) mutation. The rich, sweet, smooth taste of Cherokee Chocolate is similar to Cherokee Purple. 6 -12 oz. (170-340 g) oblate fruit are produced.
Cherokee Purple Midseason
Regular Leaf
J.D. Green received these seeds from his neighbour who told him that they have been in the family for over 100 years and were originally from the Cherokee Indians. J.D. Green then sent some seeds to Craig LeHoullier who is responsible for its introduction in North America. The unique purple-tinged colour of this tomato coupled with its excellent flavour have made the Cherokee tomatoes a mainstay in my garden.
Chocolate Champion Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Chocolate Champion produces medium to medium large oblate chocolate brown fruit and lots of them. The flavour is nicely balanced and very tasty, and both appearance and flavour resemble Cherokee Chocolate. The Dwarf Tomato Project is responsible for developing this variety.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Blacks JD’s Special C-Tex Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
In the 1980‘s, J.D. Brann of Conroe, Texas stabilized a cross between Early Girl (hybrid) and Black Krim (Russia) according to his grandchild. While I am no fan of Early girl, the result of JD’s work is one of the finest tomatoes I have ever tasted. The taste of this along with Vorlon in 2008 absolutely blew me away. I am so glad two fellow heirloom tomato enthusiasts from Texas shared the seeds with me.
Rosella Purple Early Midseason Reg. Leaf Dwarf The worldwide volunteer-run Dwarf Tomato Project is credited with introducing this black tomato on a dwarf plant. All the typical black flavoured tomato— sweet, smokey, and richness— can be found in these fruits. Make sure to give extra support to the trusses as they can easily break off due to the number and weight of the fruit they try to support. (see pic left) 4 10 oz. (115 - 280 g) oblate fruit. Do not sucker it.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Blacks Rozovaya Bella Early Midseason
NEW
Regular Leaf
If you are looking for a black tomato that has a little more zing to its flavour profile then this Belarusian heirloom is the one try. A shorter indeterminate plant is a prolific producer of dark pink-black, oblate fruits that weigh between 115 - 255 grams (4 - 9 oz.). I received this variety from Andrey Baranovski of Minsk, Belarus.
Vorlon Early Midseason
Potato Leaf
Vorlon is named after an alien race from the TV Show Babylon 5. Vorlon is the result of a cross between Cherokee Purple and Pruden’s Purple. Some people consider Vorlon a more productive version of Cherokee Purple. This pink-black tomato shares the same great meatiness, juiciness and tastiness of Cherokee Purple.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Orange/Yellow/Whites Azoychka Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
Azoychka will produce the absolute earliest yellow slicing tomatoes in your garden. The fruit from Azoychka will weigh up to 6 oz. (170 g). This variety was brought back to North America by Kent Whealy during a seed-gathering mission to Russia and became available in 1995. Azoychka’s oblate fruit leans towards the tart side of the flavour spectrum.
Big Sungold Select Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
Big Sungold Select is another attempt to de-hybridize the much vaunted Japanese hybrid Sungold. An Austrian sent Manfred Hahm, a German heirloom tomato enthusiast, some selections. Manfred Hahm then shared the seed with Reinhard Kraft and together they grew it out. Reinhard found one with bigger fruits which he then named Big Sungold Select. This variety may not be completely stable as it has thrown off some off-coloured fruits; however it has always bred true for me.
Casey’s Pure Yellow Midseason
Potato Leaf
I grew out Green Giant in 2007 from Annie Neoh (San Jose, CA) and was surprised to find that the fruit ripen to yellow. Green Giant being a potato leaf, I suspected that it had mutated to yellow because potato leaf is recessive. It seems from the unknown origins of Green Giant that four different plants have been produced: green when ripe regular leaf; green when ripe, potato leaf; yellow, regular leaf; and, the tomato I named yellow, potato leaf. I sent the seeds to Australia for their 2007 summer growing season and was very happy to find out that it grew true for them. I have shared the seeds with a few others including Craig Lehoullier (NC) who described it as a highlight in his 2008 garden. Casey’s Pure Yellow is a rare tomato because it is the only other beefsteak, potato leaf that keeps its yellow colour when fully ripe. Most yellow tomatoes will ripen to a golden colour. Sweet, tropical fruit-like sweeties and incredibly juicy tomatoes make Casey’s Pure Yellow something special. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Orange/Yellow/Whites Citron Compact Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Citron Compact is another great tree-type (dwarf) tomato. It produces round yellow fruits that have definite notes of citrus and a touch of tropical fruit like sweetness. Compact plants will grow to about 1 m. Do not sucker this tomato as it will cause it to become like any other indeterminate tomato.
Coastal Pride Orange Midseason
Regular Leaf
NEW
Dwarf
Coastal Pride Orange was developed by Dan McMurray (BC) who passed away in 2012. For a plant that grows only 2 to 2.5 feet (60 to 75 cm) you will be amazed by the size of the fruit, 85 to 255 grams (3 - 9 oz.) which hang in clusters of 4. When fully ripe, the bold flavour of an orange tomato coupled with the buttery texture make it a tomato to savour. Fruit shape varies from round to elongated sort of like a heart tomato.
Dwarf Sweet Sue
Unfortunately, I seemed to have missed taking a photograph of this variety
NEW
Dwarf Unfortunately, I seemed to Midseason Potato Leaf have missed taking a Dwarf Sweet Sue is another amazing introduction by the worldphotograph of this variety wide Tomato Dwarf Project. Craig LeHollier, one of the driving forces behind the Dwarf Project named this one after his wife, Sue, who enjoys sweet tasting tomatoes. One meter (3 feet) tall plants bear oblate shaped fruit that weigh between 85 to 200 grams (3 - 7 oz.) and later in the season develop a pinkish blush on the blossom end.
Golden Dwarf Champion Late Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Golden Dwarf Champion is an example of a “tree-type” tomato in that the distance between the branches is quite short resulting in a plant that will not get much taller than 3 ft (60 cm) tall. The first tree-type tomato can be traced back to 1862 to a garden at the Château de Laye in France. This tomato is a great one for a large pot as it will not take up that much space. If you grow it, do not pinch out any of the side shoots because it will then become a regular indeterminate plant. Golden Dwarf Champion was first released in 1899 by the W. Atlee Burpee Seed Company (PA) after a customer had sent it to them in 1897. Yellow, globe shaped fruits 2-5 oz (60-140g). Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Orange/Yellow/Whites Golden Queen Midseason
Regular Leaf
One of the greatest tomato seedsmen in America in the 19th century, Alexander W. Livingston, found a beautiful yellow tomato at county fair. “As I was examining it closely, and admiring it, the owner saw fit to make me a present of one of them, which I prized highly, and took special care to preserve, test and improve. I had it a number of years before I introduced it; but, in 1882 I thought it advisable to give it wider circulation and so advertised it extensively.... It is of a bright golden yellow color, uniformly smooth, good size, most prolific, early ripening, and is a first class all purpose tomato.” (Livingston and The Tomato. 1893. p.29-30) When fully ripe Golden Queen will have a lovely pink blush on the blossom end. Fruit size is usually between 8-12 oz. (240-340g).
Green Gage Midseason
Regular Leaf
Green Gage is one of the older heirloom tomatoes as it lineage can be traced dated back to the pre-1800s. One taste of this small, globe shaped fruit will convince you that yellow tomatoes are not all mild and sweet. Green Gage has a very assertive taste flavour profile. Some people believe that the name for this tomato is related to the Green Gage plum because of similar fruit shape.
Jaune Flammée Midseason
Regular Leaf
Jaune Flammée is a French heirloom dating back to the 1800s. One bite of these 2-3 oz. (33-66 g) and the flavour will literally explode in your mouth. These tomatoes usually hang in clusters in 6 or more and have a deep orange colour exterior with blood-orange interior.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Orange/Yellow/Whites Native Sun Early
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Tim Peters of Peter’s Seed & Research of Riddle, Oregon has bred the earliest yellow determinate tomato. Native Sun will come in at around the same time as the earliest cold-hardy red determinate tomatoes. These tomatoes do not have a very long shelf life but that does not seem to matter as its refreshing flavour will have you eating them right off the vine. NEW
Native Sun Orange Early
Regular Leaf
Determinate
In 2016, I grew out Native Sun and noticed as the fruit ripen up that one particular branch’s fruit was orange. I immediately thought that I had a ‘sport’ on my hand. Just to make sure that it would grow true, I grew seeds from those fruits in 2017; and sure enough they produced orange fruits. Native Sun sets the standard for an early yellow determinate and this variety is a great orange version.
Orange-1 Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Orange-1 tomato was bred by the Belarusian Institute of Vegetable Gardening under the direction of Lenoid Mishin (Chief breeder of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants). Mishin spent five years developing this 4 foot high, meaty, boldtasting, round orange tomato (60-100g 2-3.5 oz.) using different tomato lines from Moldova. Andrey Baranovski of Minsk, Belarus is the originator of this variety in the West.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Orange/Yellow/Whites Orange Caprese Midseason
Reg. Leaf
Semi-determinate
As the name suggest this is the perfect tomato for a caprese salad. Firm enough that it will not break down to a soup consistency yet has the right amount of juice needed to make the perfect caparese salad. Deep orange coloured fruit weigh on average 60 - 85 grams (2 1/4 - 3) and hang in clusters of up to 6 and possess a sweet, rich flavour. Orange Caprese was introduced by Fred Hempel (CA) of Artisan Seeds.
Sugary Yellow (Sarkharnyi Zheltyi) Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
My source for this Russian heirloom tomato was Tatiana Kouchnareva (B.C.) who was fortunate enough to trade for these seeds with Russian seedswoman Tamara Yaschenko of Byisk, Altai, Russia. Sugary Yellow will produce the largest- close to 2 lbs. (900 g), earliest, meatiest beefsteak tomatoes in your garden. This variety turns a creamy golden colour when ripe and the flavour is quite bold.
Sutton Midseason
Regular Leaf
White tomatoes will not last very long once they have been picked but the mild, sweet, fruity flavour will impress you. Sutton is a prime example of this class of tomato. Sutton will produce 4-8 oz. (10-220g) oblate fruit.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Orange/Yellow/Whites Utyonok Early Midseason
NEW
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Beautiful orange fruit that sometimes exhibit an elongated blossom end are born in profusion on very short 45 cm (18 inches) tall vines that spread out about 60 cm (3 feet). Fruits average about 50 - 90 grams (1.75 - 3 oz.) and have a nice zing to them. Utyonok means “duckling” in Russian.
Yellow Brute Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
NEW
I received a Czech commercial open-pollinated variety called Brutus from Andrey Barnovski (Minsk, Belarus) and grew it out in 2017. I was very much looking forward to this extremely productive large red beefsteak. Imagine my surprise when the fruit ripen to a beautiful yellow. I had on my hands another mutation. Make sure to provide support for each truss as this plant will produce up to 15 flowers on each one- see picture. Fruits will grow quite large with ribbing on the stem end and weigh between 200-1000 grams (7 - 35 oz.). The flavour is superb- sweet with a little tartness.
Yuko’s Persimmon Perfection Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
One of my customers grew out some of my KBX seeds and said that they were regular leaf seedlings. KBX is an orange beefsteak with potato leaves which was itself a mutation from Kellogg’s Breakfast, a regular-leaf orange beefsteak. I grew out the seeds in 2014 to see what I would get and sure enough there were regular leaf seedlings. After consulting online with Carolyn Male to make sure that what I had was not Kellogg’s Breakfast, she assured me that it is a new variety, genetically speaking. I decided to name this variety after my wife and the incredible texture this tomato has, just like a persimmon! This orange beefsteak is not only productive—the total weight from the first two trusses was 3.151 kilograms (close to 7 pounds) with one fruit that weighed 558 grams (19.7 ounces)—but the strong fruity sweet flavour will make this variety your “go to” orange beefsteak! Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Striped/Bicolours Blush Midseason
Regular Leaf
Up to 11 absolutely gorgeous elongated large cherry tomatoes will be produced on each truss. Fred Hempel (CA) developed this tropical sweet tasting tomato. I found that you should let it get soft to the touch before enjoying it.
Dwarf Beauty King Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
NEW
Dwarf Beauty King produces absolutely gorgeous golden striped red oblate fruits that hang clusters of 3 to 4 and weigh between 115 - 285+ g (4 - 10+ oz.). A friend of mine grew out this tomato in 2017 and we were both completely gob-smacked with the taste of its distinctive navel orange finish.
Dwarf Russian Swirl Midseason
Regular Leaf
NEW
Dwarf
A cross between Golden Dwarf Champion and Orange Russian #117 made by Patrina Nuske Small (Australia) as part of the Dwarf Tomato Project. This bi-colour dwarf will produce yellow with swirls of red, oblate fruits that weigh up to 300 grams (10.5 oz.)
Fire Midseason
Regular Leaf
Semi-Determinate
Do not let the shape of this tomato fool you into thinking that it is is just another paste tomato because the flavour is unbelievable. I would rank it right up there with the any of the full flavoured red tomatoes. Fred Hempel (CA) of Artisan Tomatoes bred this attractively golden striped fruit that weigh between 115 - 170 grams (4 - 6 ounces). Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Striped/Bicolours Green Zebra Midseason
Regular Leaf
Tom Wagner created this amazing looking green when fully ripe tomato. When fully ripe the flesh colour will take on a blush of yellow and sometimes, due to environmental conditions, an orange hue. The taste of this variety is zippy but with hint of sweetness. The fruit are slightly flattened round globes weighing 2-3oz(85-115g).
Guernsey Island Midseason
Regular Leaf
This New Zealand heirloom tomato was brought by immigrants from Guernsey Island, UK. Guernsey Island will produce very juicy round, red small to medium sized fruits with extremely rare iridescent bronze striping.
Little Lucky Midseason
Potato Leaf
In 1997, Craig LeHoullier grew out some Brandywine seeds he had saved from 1993. Amongst the expected potato leaf plants there was one regular leaf. He decided to grow out that one seedling and from it came tomatoes that were pink with yellow vertical stripes and mottled red and yellow interior. Suspecting that this was an unknown cross, caused by a bee, Craig grew out the F2 and eventually stabilized this tomato to its current form. With Brandywine as one of its parents, you know this tomato will have an outstanding taste to it, sweet with fruity overtones. 3-4 oz (85-115 g) fruit. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Striped/Bicolours Lucky Cross Midseason
Potato Leaf
Lucky Cross is the big sister to Little Lucky. Craig also stabilized this tomato at the same time as Little Lucky. Its oblate fruits with some ribbing are generally in the range of 1+ lb. (450 g). The flavour of this bicolour is deeper and richer than that of its younger sister.
Mr. Stripey (aka Tigerella) Early Regular Leaf This tomato was created by Glasshouse Crops Research Institute in England. Mr. Stripey produces 2-2.5 oz. (50-70 g) round red fruits with beautiful golden stripes that are on the tart side but do develop an addictive sweetness.
Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
One bite and this tomato will make you sit up and take notice of its bold flavour. Brad Gates (CA) found this variety amongst some F2 Beauty King tomatoes. Iridescent green stripes on a deep red back ground make this one of the most eye-catching tomato fruits around. Pink Berkely Tie-Dye will produce fruits that weigh on average 200-350 g (7 to 12 oz.)
Striped Sweetheart Midseason
Potato Leaf
Lee of North Carolina is the originator of this tomato. Here is how he describes it: " 75 DTM Indeterminate potato leaf plant produces a very good yield of 4 oz. heart shaped fruit with red and orange stripes. It has an excellent sweet tomato flavor. This is a newly stabilized variety from the same cross that Lucky Cross and Little Lucky came from." Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Striped/Bicolours Striped Sweetheart Dark Midseason
Potato Leaf
Sherry (AK) purchased some of my Striped Sweetheart seeds in 2011 and had one plant produce fruit like that above and the other one produced a black tomato. Since Striped Sweetheart is a potato leafed plant, I was quite sure a mutation had occurred. I grew out the seeds in 2012 and it produced exactly as Sherry described - a black tomato with bronze striping. Dean Slater (MI) also reported to me that he too had the same mutation and surprisingly enough named it the same; of course, I had no knowledge of this when I was presented with this mutation. The taste is not as sweet as the original but is much richer in flavour. In addition, there is an incredible amount of juice in both the meat and seed cavity. For some reason, this variety is two or three times as productive as the Striped Sweetheart and produces larger fruit, too.
Virginia Sweets Late Midseason
Regular Leaf
Virginia Sweets is a very productive bi-colour tomato as the first truss of tomatoes weighed in at nearly five pounds. Sweet and fruity are the two adjectives that come to mind when describing the taste of these 10-16+ oz. (280-450+g) oblate fruits.
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Paste Auria Midseason
NEW
Regular Leaf
This Ukrainian tomato has the most interesting shape, a unique cleft on the blossom end of 3-4”long fruits. While the shape is definitely phallic, the meaty texture with little juice make it an excellent choice for drying or sauce making. NEW
Bonsai Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf Determinate
You will be amazed by how such a small plant, 18” (40 cm) tall can produce such large fruit. The fruit itself are so very solid. While it is juicier than your average paste tomato, the sweet taste make it an excellent choice for an all purpose tomato.
Casino Midseason
Regular Leaf
Casino is a large red paste tomato that produces 170-225 g (6-8 oz.) fruit on trusses up to 6 fruit. Pat Cici (MI) brought his family heirloom tomato seeds with him when he immigrated to the US as a teenager. Pat and his neighbour who shared the seeds with me, Joe Rarus, decided to name it after Pat’s hometown of Casino, Italy. I grew out San Marzano Redorta and Casino side by side and Casino came out on top in terms of fruit size and weight, plant health, number of fruit (The first harvest yielded13 fruit from Casino compared to a single for San Marzano Redorta) and most importantly, taste. While I classify Casino as a paste variety, it has the taste and juice to be eaten fresh or my past season’s favourite- in a BLT. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Paste Cuore del Drago Late Midseason
Regular Leaf
While this Italian tomato is translated as Dragon Heart it is not a traditional heart-shaped tomato. It has the strangest shape - blocky at the top and sometimes exhibits dents further down and a protruding blossom end. These very meaty fruits hang in clusters of 4 - 5 and weigh on average 240 - 300 g (8 - 10 oz.). While I consider it an excellent sauce/drying tomato it still has enough juice in the meat to be used fresh, as the taste is pure tomato with no sweetness.
Martino’s Roma Midseason
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Martino’s Roma is one of the few determinate paste tomato that I grow because it such a great tomato for making sauce and drying. Very prolific plant with deep green foliage that produces 55 g (2 oz) fruit that hang in clusters of up to 6. I have always been hesitant to grow out the very famous paste tomato, San Marzano, as I have heard from my experienced growers that it lacks flavour, but I thought I should at least see for myself. In 2014, I grew out San Marzano and it was a disappointment all around- few fruit and bland taste. I guess I should have abided by the famous lyrics, “don’t believe the hype.” Make Martino’s Roma your paste tomato!
Marzano Fire Midseason
Regular Leaf
Semi-Determinate
This red with yellow jagged stripes paste tomato was bred by Fred Hempel (CA). Fruit average 55 - 78 grams (2 - 2 3/4) ounces with very few seeds and dry texture makes it an excellent choice for saucing or drying.
Romeo Midseason
Regular Leaf
Romeo was bred by Peter Seed Research. It is a large red paste that is slightly drier in texture with fewer seeds than Casino. If you are looking for a large red paste tomato then this is a a very worthy selection. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Aker’s West Virginia Midseason
Regular Leaf
Deep, robust flavour characterize these 10-16 oz(280-450g) deep red, oblate fruits that are borne in clusters of three. Aker’s is also relatively compact plant, similar in height to any of the black tomatoes.
Andrew Rahart’s Jumbo Red Late
Regular Leaf
This variety is named in honour of Andrew Rahart who lived north of New York City and spent a considerable amount of time collecting seeds from local immigrants in the area. The rich and deep flavour of this tomato makes it the perfect one for a toasted tomato sandwich. Each tomato will weigh in at about 1 lb. (450 g) and you should expect a healthy crop of them, too.
Bloody Butcher Early
Potato Leaf
Bloody Butcher rivals all other extra early varieties that I have grown given its superb taste and productivity. It will produce up to 10 per truss and each fruit will weigh on average 2 ozs. (55 g). This variety was bred by the Dutch company Sahin Seeds and released in 1998.
Bulgarian Triumph Late Midseason
Regular Leaf
This variety may remind you of those “on the vine” cluster tomatoes in the supermarket because it is quite reliable in ripening up evenly. However, the taste of this tomato will be an explosion in your mouth, this tomato was the sweetest most intensely flavoured tomato in my garden in 2005 and it will be well worth the wait. Bulgarian Triumph will hang in clusters of 4 to 6 and weigh 2-4 oz. (55-115 g) Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Czech Bush Late Midseason
NEW
Regular Leaf
Unfortunately, I seemed to
I have had my eye on this tomato for quite sometime as I became have missed taking a intrigued about the contribution by Ben Quisenberry’s (1887-1986) photograph of this variety contribution to heirloom tomatoes. Ben received these seeds from Milan Sodomko from Czechoslovakia in 1976. Unfortunately, the Czech name for this tomato was lost. This dwarf plant will produce globe shaped fruits that weigh 55 - 80 grams (2 - 3 oz.) with classic tomato flavour.
Dwarf Stone Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
A “tree-type” tomato introduced by A.W. Livingston in 1902. Dwarf Stone’s foliage is rather sparse for a rugose-leafed variety. I found the taste to be sweet and refreshing and the flesh to be quite dense. This variety is similar in growth habit and fruit size to New Big Dwarf.
Early Lethbridge Early
Regular Leaf
NEW
Determinate
According to The Canadian Journal of Plant Sciene Volume 43 Oct. 1963, “The Early Lethbridge tomato variety was introduced by the Lethbridge Research Stations in 1953 following 8 years of intensive testing. Prior to and following its introduction this tomato proved to be particularly outstanding for its early maturity, fruit size and deep red colour…early maturity of Early Lethbridge may be partially attributed to its ability to set fruit at night temperatures as low as 50℉.” http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/ 10.4141/cjps63-124 Early Lethbridge will produce 40 -90g (1.4 - 3.2 oz) fruit that hang in clusters of 4 to 6. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Early Siberian (aka Sibirskiy Skorospely) Early
Regular Leaf
This tomato is an especially cold tolerant variety created by the Western-Siberian Potato-Vegetable Experimental Lab (Zapadno-Sibirskaya Ovoshchnaya Opytnaya Stantsiya in Barnaul, Altai region) that will produce 120 g (4 oz.) red fruit. Early Siberian was the sweetest, earliest tomato in my 2004 garden.
Elizabeth Stefancsik Midseason
Regular Leaf
Mike Stefancsik of Lethbridge AB, sent me to make his Hungarian family heirloom tomato more widely available. Mike received the seeds received the seeds from a family member over 30 years ago. He decided to name this tomato after his mother Elizabeth. This variety will produce two ounce oval shaped fruits that are lightly speckled with gold stripes. The flavour of this tomato is slightly sweet but with great tomato flavour. This tomato has a slightly longer shelf life due to its firmness; however, it will soften up. If you are looking for a processing tomato then I strongly suggest you try this one because as Mike told me it will bear around 300 fruit per non-suckered plant.
Iditarod Red Midseason
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Iditarod Red is part of the world-wide efforts to breed large fruited-tasty tomatoes on dwarf intermediate plants. Please see http://www.dwarftomatoproject.net for more information about the great work of many volunteers. Sue Bailey (AK) was responsible for selecting and naming this tomato after the famous Iditarod Dogsled Race. This variety will produce 60 - 120 g (2 - 4 oz.) red fruit that hang in clusters of 4. The taste is very, very good with pronounced sweetness. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Japanese Dwarf (aka Yaponskiy Karlik) Early
Regular Leaf
Dwarf Determinate
This Russian tomato plant will grow only about a 50 cm tall (20 inches) and produce so very many small, red, round tomatoes. Japanese Dwarf is a slightly smaller plant than Lucky Leprechaun and is similar in flavour profile to it, too.
Kimberley Early
Potato Leaf
John de Rocque from Kimberley, BC, crossed Tiny Tim with Siberia and stabilized it to this short, potato leaf plant. This one will produce early and you will be impressed its ability to produce all season long. Small red fruits are quite tasty with flavour that is smoother than most early season varieties.
Kron Prince Midseason
NEW
Regular Leaf
Kron Prince will produce round fruits with a distinctive protuberance on the blossom end. This Russian commercial open-pollinated variety can trace its roots back to India. Fruit size ranges from 50 to 70 grams (1 3/4 - 2 1/2 oz.) with a pleasant tomato flavour to them. Large flower trusses will need to be supported once pollination has occurred. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Lescana Beef Midseason
Regular Leaf
Lescana Beef is one of the few large tomatoes in circulation that hails from Romania; Lescana Heart is another. Deep, rich flavour that leans towards the zippy side makes these 10-16 oz. (280-450 g) fruit the perfect beefsteak tomato. In our 2010 cool and cloudy summer, Lescana Beef produced the greatest number of large fruits.
Lucky Leprechaun Early
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
Lucky Leprechaun is reported to be one of the very few Irish heirloom tomatoes; however, this is pure speculation. Supposedly sometime around the 1900s Irish immigrants in the US midwest grew this dwarf 60 cm (2 feet tall) tomato that will produce small red tomatoes. The taste of this tomato leans toward the old-fashion side of the spectrum but with a nice sweetness to them. One of the few varieties that still produces even when the temperature drops; and PRODUCE it does!
Lyana Early
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Lyana is a very early, very meaty and very sweet determinate tomato that was bred by Prindestrovie Research Agricultural Institute in Moldova. I do not grow many determinate tomatoes but this one I recommend for our climate. Lyana produces fruit that generally weigh 2-3 oz. (55-80 g).
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Mano Early
Regular Leaf
Dwarf
A Hungarian dwarf tomato with rugose foliage will grow to only about 1.5 feet (45 cm). I was very impressed with the flavour of this early (the first non-cherry of 2007) tomato, very sweet with a nice balance of tomato flavours to finish. The globe-shaped fruit will usually weigh between 50-60g (2-2.5 oz)
Matina (aka Tamina) Early
Potato Leaf
This tomato is a German OP commercial variety that has been around for 40 years. Matina will produce an abundance of perfect red globes that weigh 3-5 oz. (85-140 g), with a full bodied flavour normally belies early fruited varieties.
Lyana Early
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Lyana is a very early, very meaty and very sweet determinate tomato that was bred by Prindestrovie Research Agricultural Institute in Moldova. I do not grow many determinate tomatoes but this one I recommend for our climate. Lyana produces fruit that generally weigh 2-3 oz. (55-80 g).
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Maya & Sion’s Airdrie Classic Early Midseason Potato Leaf Dr. Carolyn Male provided me the F2 seeds of a cross between a large and very tasty pink beefsteak- Brandywine- and a very early smaller red tomato- Stupice. The original cross was done by Stanley Zubrowski (Saskatchewan) in 1999. I have been growing out this tomato since 2004 outside in my Zone 3a garden, selecting each time for the best combination of earliness and flavour. For the last couple of years it has been coming in a week to 10 days later than Stupice. I have named this tomato in honour of my daughter- Maya and my son- Sion, the city I live in- Airdrie and what I consider to be true Classic tomato taste. Maya and Sion’s Airdrie Classic will produce red, oblate fruits with ribbing that weigh between 6 and 14 ozs.(170g-400g) and hang in clusters of 4-8.
Maya & Sion’s Airdrie Classic Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Milka’s Red Bulgarian Midseason
Regular Leaf
Bulgarian tomatoes tend to be on the sweet side and this tomato is no exception. I found the sweetness of this tomato to rank right up there with modern day hybrids. Juicy red beefsteak tomatoes are borne in clusters of up to three and weigh between 10-16 oz(280-450g).
Moravsky Div Early
Potato Leaf
Indeterminate
I believe the name of this tomato translates as The Wonder of Moravia. Moravia occupies the eastern third of the Czech Republic. Moravsky Div will produce an early crop of slightly blocky red 2 oz (60g) fruit that are borne on clusters of 8 per truss. Dr. Carolyn Male shared the seeds for this variety with me in 2008. Moravoseeds (their Czech distributor) has found the right combination of earliness and outstanding smooth tomato flavour. I have to agree with Dr. Male’s take on this tomato, “I absolutely LOVE this variety for its taste and yield.”
Mountain Princess Early
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Mountain Princess can trace its roots back to the Monongahela National Forest area of West Virginia where it has been grown for generations. For an early tomato, you will be surprised by the size of the tomatoes it produces, real slicers.
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Reds NEW
Pietro’s Secret Midseason Regular Leaf
Murray Sowerby from Olds, Alberta which is just north of me contacted me via email (see below) concerning his family’s heirloom. My son in law's father (since deceased) had grown these and saved seed for decades since they immigrated from the Venice area of Northern Italy, where he said his family had grown them for generations. They are indeterminate but not the most vigorous plants I have ever seen.The fruit is globular and has extremely good flavour, even the really big ones. Numerically they are not huge producers but with the average size being in excess of 500g, the yield is quite acceptable. I must say that they caused quite a stir at the golf club when I showed up one day with 3 tomatoes still on the branch, which when weighed were 1110g, 820g and 650g. He came to Canada in 1952, but I doubt that an 18 year old boy would have brought tomato seed with him at that time.It is more likely that he brought them back on one of his visits home later in life.When he gave me the seed about 12 years ago, he told me that his family had grown these tomatoes for generations. How long he had grown them in Calgary I don't know. I got together with our daughter and her family on the weekend. My son in law is really pleased to think that his father's tomatoes are making it into your catalogue so that others can also enjoy them. In honour of his father, we came up with the name "Pietro's Secret”. I concur with Murray as the flavour is extremely good. The fruit exhibit distinctive ribbing at the stem end.
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Reds Neves Azorean Red Late Midseason
Regular Leaf
Tony Neves and his family immigrated from the Portuguese Azores and settled in the Boston area. The family brought with them their prized family heirloom tomato seeds. Tony traded some of his prized family heirloom tomatoes for fertilizer from the owner of Neptune Fertilizer Company. Dr. Carolyn Male received the seeds from Chuck Perry whose cousin knew people at the fertilizer company. Dr. Male held a naming contest online and Neves Azorean Red won. The taste is something very special, deep and rich, which has made it a mainstay in the gardens of heirloom tomato aficionados around the world. Fruit size is 1 lb. (450 g).
Red Brandywine Midseason
Regular Leaf
Red Brandywine should be a mainstay in your garden because it is an extremely reliable producer of large, 8-12 oz. (225-340 g), perfect red globe fruits. There is little historical information about Red Brandywine except that it is said to be named after the Brandywine River in eastern Pennsylvania. The taste of this variety is something to be savoured: as the flavour is so deep and rich, with only a hint of sweetness, that it will win you over after your first bite.
Red Penna Late Midseason
Regular Leaf
Large red beefsteak tomatoes hang in clusters of two or three and will usually weigh between 1 and 2 lb. (450-900 g). The flavour of this tomato is quite robust and thus makes it a great choice for a toasted tomato sandwich.
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Reds Silvery Fir Tree Early
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Silvery Fir Tree has foliage that resembles that of a carrot. Some growers suggest that another variety from Russia, Carrot-Like, is so similar to Silvery Fir Tree that they are the same. Small, compact plants produce tomatoes that have a strong flavour to them and weigh between 4-6 oz (100-170g).
Sophie’s Choice Early
Regular Leaf
Determinate
Seeds from Sophie’s Choice were originally sent from a grower in Edmonton to a friend of Barry Comdon in California, and Dr. Carolyn Male then received these seeds unnamed. Barry’s contact named this tomato according to Dr. Male’s request. The tomatoes grow to the size of 6-8 oz. and have a refreshing taste to them. It is important to keep this plants’ roots quite moist during early growth so as to ensure a healthy harvest.
Stupice Early
Potato Leaf
This Czechoslovak variety is pronounced as stew-pii-sa. Bred by the Research and Plant Breeding Inst. of Vegetables at Olomouc, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) in the 1950s. Stupice will be one of the first to produce ripe fruits in you garden. The plant stays on the short side (4-5 ft.). I usually just let mine sucker and then cut off the growing tips during the first week of August.
Sugary Pounder (Sakharnyi Pudovichok) Early Midseason
Regular Leaf
My source for this variety was Tatiana Kouchnareva (BC) Tatiana set up and runs one of the most authoritative heirloom tomato databases on the Web. I would strongly suggest that outdoor growers in my Zone (3A) should try this beefsteak. It will push our growing limits, but it is definitely worth a try as it possesses such great tomato flavour and production. Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
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Reds Taupo OP Midseason
Regular Leaf
Taupo (pronounced “TOE-poe”) is a de-hybridized version of one of New Zealand’s favourite hybrid tomatoes. I received the seeds from a grower in New Zealand who de-hybridized this tomato to a near identical form in terms of plant habit, fruit size, colour and taste to the original hybrid. Taupo OP will produce round red tomatoes that weigh 3-6 oz (85- 170 g) that hang in clusters of 5 or more. In 2010, this tomato was the juiciest and sweetest one in my garden. If you are looking for a great medium red tomato then this should be your new standard.
Vendor Midseason
Regular Leaf
The Ontario Agricultural Station at Vineland, released this openpollinated tomato in 1967. Originally intended for the tomato greenhouse industry of southwestern Ontario due to its short internode length and resistance to some strains of leaf mould and tobacco mosaic virus. Great selection if you are looking for a tasty red tomato for your greenhouse. Vendor is one of the few open-pollinated tomatoes still around as the greenhouse industry has embraced F1 hybrids.
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Japanese Peppers Black Beach Pepper Hama Kuropii
NEW
浜クロピー Midseason
In Japanese, Hama means beach, kuro black, pii - pimento (pepper). One stands out most with this Japanese open pollinated pepper is, of course, the amazing black colour. These shiny black peppers average around 50 g (1 3/4 oz.) with very unique indentions like a kagura mask (see picture below), When cooked these black peppers will turn a deep green colour. Flesh is relatively thin walled when compared with a typical bell pepper. Flavour is like a typical Kyoto style pepper- stronger green pepper flavour than a bell pepper. When red, this pepper will e sweet.
seed package Black and fully ripe red peppers
Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie
Kagura Mask
source:Wikipedia
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Japanese Peppers Kagura Nanban
神楽南蛮
Late Midseason This unique and little known pepper comes from Yamakoshi-Mushigame region of Niigata Prefecture. While there is no written record of when this pepper came into existence, it has been surmised that it is close to the original pepper variety(ies) that were brought into Japan in the 15th Century. The shape is very similar to a small bell pepper with the blossom end that looks like a kagura (lit. god entertainment). This sacred Shinto dance is performed with a kagura mask. Nanban refers to the chilli peppers that the were brought to Japan via Spanish and Portuguese from their South-East Asian colonies. This pepper has a spicy pungency to it that, like a shishitou pepper, can be hit and miss in its spiciness. One of the most popular products Kagura nanban miso, is made by marinating the peppers in a mixture of malt, sake, miso and salt. A very tasty condiment to be added to your rice to take the chill out of a winter evening. Kagura Mask
source:Wikipedia
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Japanese Peppers Shima-tougarashi 島唐辛子 Late
I am proud to offer one chili pepper that is very near and dear to my heart. I came across this variety during my first visit to Japan’s southern most prefecture- Okinawa (沖縄 ). I immediately fell in love with the local cuisine which is quite different from Japanese food I ate on the northern most island of Hokkaido; and still eat everyday thanks to my wife. Okinawa’s latitude is only a few degrees north of Hawaii. Being so far south, an incredible range of tropical fruits and vegetables are grown on the numerous islands of Okinawa. One important spice is a Capsicum Frutescens known locally as shimatougarashi or in English, Island Pepper. Given the historical trade connection between The Ryukyu Kingdom (琉球王国)—as Okinawa was known as before being incorporated into Japan— and Southeast Asia this chili pepper could be the result of trade with Thailand. Or, it has been mentioned that it came by way of Satsuma, an ancient province in present day Kagoshima, Kyushu, probably through Portuguese traders. Ryukyu islanders would sail to Thailand to bring back rice used to make a distilled spirit called Awamori (泡盛); in contrast to the Japanese further north who brewed their rice spirit to make the most famous of all Japanese beverages called sake (酒). A condiment called Kooreegusu (コーレーグス) is made from Shimatougarashi soaked in Awamori. It is used to flavour the Okinawan equivalent of Raamen (noodles in a soup broth) called Yaeyama soba (八重山そ ば), stir fried vegetable dishes and tofu. Kooreegusu is a recent (Meiji period 1888-1912) addition to the Okinawan diet as it was transmitted to the Okinawan migrants to Hawaii. The Hawaiian condiment, Chili Pepper Water, is made from water, peppers, salt, ginger, garlic and vinegar). These small chili peppers are approximately 1.5 to 3 cm (1/2 to 1”) in length and are rated between 30,000 and 50,000 Scoville units. A little goes a long way to spice up any dish!
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Japanese Peppers
Shima-tougarashi Ale from the island of Miyakojima, Okinawa
Pepper mash and single pepper in each bottle make for spicy beer yet surprisingly smooth beer! I was quite lucky to try this one at Cheers, a Yokohama specialty beer bar, as Miyako Micro Brewery only produces a very limited number of cases a year. It was well worth the ￥1200 ($15 Cdn.) for the bottle as it was VERY tasty!
Shima tougarashi growing on the island of Kohama, Okinawa.
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Of course I would go to a restaurant that specialized in tomatoes whilst in Japan. From appetizers, beer, juice, Japanese spirits, appetizers, entrees, to dessert, every single dish contains tomatoes!
Celeb de Tomato = Tomato heaven.
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