Tomato Love

I grow and save seeds here in Hokianga, and raise seedlings when the season allows. If you lose a variety, can't find it again, or want to try again next season, I'm here. This isn't a one-time purchase. It's a place you can return to, season after season.

A community for you to grow, share, and learn.

Heirloom tomato seeds grown in the rich soils of Hokianga, Aotearoa.

Good soil. Dirty hands. Everything else follows. Tomato Love supplies heirloom tomato seeds for gardeners throughout New Zealand, with varieties chosen for flavour, resilience and successful growing in home gardens.

Whether you're growing your first tomato or your fiftieth, you'll find flavourful varieties here, each with its own story, history and place in the garden.

We specialise in preserving the richness of old-world tomatoes, offering seasonal tips, natural growing methods, and companion planting guides to help your garden thrive, all without the use of herbicides or pesticides.

I'll continue searching for bold, juicy beefsteaks and delightful cherry heirlooms. But right now, one tomato has my full attention: Moonglow. Not very common, but exceptional, and when grown to full potential, a true show stopper.

Looking for a heavy cropper? Oaxacan is a standout. It produced generously through the dry Northland summer of 2024 and proved remarkably drought tolerant.

Heavy cropping, low acid and absolutely gorgeous in a sauce. Meet San Marzano, an old-world heirloom worth growing.

San Marzano loves to grow. It throws a lot of leaf, so give these plants extra space and keep on top of the growth from below. Good airflow matters. Don't let them turn into a jungle, especially when Northland gets wet and humid.

The daffodils at my doorstep are flowering now. So are the wild daffodils in Whirinaki, the ones I love watching emerge each year.

This morning, 19 August, at 7am, the finches were singing in full force. I haven’t heard them like this for some time.

I feel confident now. It’s time to put the first seeds into trays.

Last year I grew zinnias alongside my tomatoes, and I loved it. I made a few mistakes though. If you want to join me this year, I'll be sharing the pros and cons, and how I'm doing things differently for more pollinator action in the garden.

And yes, that's kikuyu. Once dried properly, I use it as mulch around the garden. One of my most troublesome weeds has turned out to be remarkably useful. I just mow it, tip it out to dry in the sun then collect it and place it as I please. Nothing like free mulch.

E paru i te tinana, e mā i te wai, e paru i te aroha ka mau tonu ē.

"If you're touched with mud, you can wash it off. If you're touched with aroha, it lasts always."
— Eruera and Amiria Stirling