mister gardener’s organic heirloom tomatoes are juicy and ripe and literally falling off the plants right now. The term heirloom is loosely defined as tomato varieties that have passed through several generations in an open-pollinated or non-hybrid method of fertilization. It’s a popular choice for backyard gardens and those who promote locally grown foods. mister gardener’s tomatoes come with colorful names like Boxcar Willie, Aunt Ginny’s Purple, Honey, Julia Child, Amana Orange, Amish Gold, and Cherokee Purple, a popular dark-colored tomato said to be grown by Cherokee Indians well over a hundred years ago.
The shapes, colors and sizes of mister gardener’s heirlooms vary widely and I must admit they are fun to see in the garden. Not exactly beautiful or appetizing looking, but they are touted as tastier than commercial tomatoes, no matter how you slice them. These unusual tomatoes are common to see at local Farmer’s Markets and, yes, I have picked up a few from time to time. How can you resist?
Oh dear, I may be going to get myself in big trouble for saying this. Just give me ANY ripe July tomato warmed by the summer sun! If the weather and soil has provided the proper conditions, whether a hybrid or an heirloom, they are equally delicious, juicy and sweet with a hint of tartness…. my favorite combination of tastes.
The down side of heirlooms is the tendency of tomatoes to split and their lack of resistance to fungal infections. Plants in the wild must evolve to survive but heirloom tomatoes are isolated by growers for their size and shape and taste, not disease resistance. Four of mister gardener’s lovely heirlooms have perished due to fungus, however 1/4 of his garden is devoted to these plants in specially built cages to support their indeterminate sizes…. some over 6 ft. tall… so we will have enough to fill the kitchen with mister gardener’s wonderful and colorful salads all summer long!
How divine!
Ann Hohenberger
When can we come to help mister gardener and you eat some of these wonderful fruits? Do you ever fry some of the green ones?
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I have to fry them when mister gardener is off on a golf outing. Can you believe he doesn’t adore them?
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They look delicious. I like fried red tomatoes too.
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Have you ever tried fried green tomato BLT’s? Heaven!
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Yummy…. Any tomato grown at home is superior to any store brought tomato. I remember when Richmonders told me Hanover tomatoes were the ‘Best’. So went to the store and brought a red, ripe tomato. Later I sliced it and put in on a BLT to find it was just a store tomato not to compare to any homegrown Gloucester tomatoes!
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I’m not fussy about varieties of summer tomatoes. I just have to have them DAILY during the growing season…. salads, soups, sandwiches. Yum!
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Yum! I love those Green Zebras and Cherokee Purples….for breakfast on toast! My husband thinks I’m crazy.
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Hi Jonah, When in London, I was served a warm breaded tomato every morning for breakfast. I adored it and brought that tradition home. Nothing better than a tomato for breakfast. I’ve read debates on whether Green Zebra is an heirloom tomato or not, but we all agree it is beautiful and delicious!
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Better than a Hanover?…
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Those who live in Hanover will disagree, I’m sure..
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