Seedlings - Tomato Love | Epic Tomato Source

Tomato Love Seed Vault - Six Best

Tomato Love Seed Vault – Six Finalists<br>Moonglow, Black Krim, Pink Brandywine, Oaxacan Pink Mexican, San Marzano, and Chocolate Cherry<br><br>Serena’s Six Best<br><br>You’ll notice I lean toward the beefsteaks. They demand attention. They’ll take up the most time. They need skill (stake them!) — but when they shine, you too will feel the power and the glory.<br><br>There’s nothing like that moment when the beefsteaks begin to blush.<br><br>Now you’ve got three of my best beefsteaks — it’s time for you to take your rightful place and become the envy of your neighbours.

Heirloom Beefsteak Tomato Cherokee Purple Seedling

Cherokee Purple – A Tomato with a Story<br><br>I first discovered Cherokee Purple through Craig LeHoullier, the American tomato grower whose work blew my tomato world wide open. He describes this variety as the perfect meeting point of sweetness, tartness, depth, and texture.<br><br>In 1990, Craig received seeds from John D. Green of Sevierville, Tennessee. With the seeds came a letter explaining they were from a purple tomato handed down by the Cherokee people and grown for more than a century.<br><br>The result is a tomato like no other: dusky rose-purple skin, rich flavour, and a legacy rooted in indigenous history. Slice into one and you’ll taste not only the earth, but also the story it carries.<br><br>Unusual in colour, unforgettable in flavour — Cherokee Purple is a true heirloom treasure.

Heirloom Moonglow Beefsteak Tomato Seedling

This has slowly become one of my favourite tomatoes to grow here in the Hokianga. It kind of confuses me in a way — it can crack, but still store incredibly well.<br><br>Pick them before they crack and the skin is rather firm, and if there are no bruises or bumps, they can last a surprisingly long time on the shelf.<br><br>And mine do not look orange at all. Heck no. They are as yellow as Big Bird from Sesame Street.<br><br>My original seed came from Setha's Seeds, a quality seed company I've loved all my interactions with.<br><br>And one other thing — Moonglow has garnered plenty of recognition for its flavour. And I can see why.<br><br>Stake her well.

Heirloom Chocolate Cherry Tomato Seedling

Chocolate Cherry<br><br>I grew Chocolate Cherry here in the Hokianga alongside Black Cherry because I wanted to see for myself just how different they really were.<br><br>And to be fair, I struggled to find much between them. The fruit looked remarkably similar and, to me, they even tasted much the same.<br><br>There was one difference I kept noticing though: Black Cherry split more easily. That tendency to crack was probably the clearest way I could tell the two apart.<br><br>I also felt Chocolate Cherry showed a little more vigour in my conditions, although that's an observation rather than something I'm prepared to call yet.<br><br>So I'm doing it again.<br><br>This season I'll grow them side by side through what may be much drier conditions and see how they square up in El Nino Drought like conditions.

Heirloom Beefsteak Tomato Soldacki Seedling

Soldacki – The Polish Powerhouse<br><br>Indeterminate, 80 days. This heirloom produces large, solid red fruit with meaty flesh — tangy, robust, and sweet all at once. Fruits can reach up to half a kilogram, with some misshapen shoulders, but growers happily overlook that for the outstanding flavour.<br><br>Originating from Kraków, Poland, the Soldacki is a true classic. One slice can cover your entire hamburger bun, making it a showstopper for summer barbecues. Its dense, juicy flesh makes it just as perfect for rich salsas and sauces.<br><br>Similar to the beloved Pink Brandywine but with higher yields and a touch more resilience. Harvest as soon as the fruit ripens for the best flavour and texture.<br><br>A tomato to feed a crowd — and win them over.

Zapotec Pleated Mexican Tomato Seeds – 15+ per Pack – Vogel Slab Worthy

Deeply pleated, bold & beautifully sculpted — this heirloom sets large, triangular (pumpkin-like) fruit in rich pink-red tones, with scalloped edges and hollow interiors ideal for stuffing. The flavor is sweet and intense, balanced, with a low seed count, making each bite pure. Plants grow indeterminate and vigorous, loving heat, and reliably produce in warm conditions.<br>In my Hokianga garden, Zapotec Pleated was a drought champion. It didn’t crack once, and it kept cropping — heavily — all season long. The fruits were medium to large, not giants, but that may be why it gave so much. The trusses bunched and sagged, so I let them rest on the mulch — something I could only do because the dry weather knocked back slugs and snails.<br><br>That thick mulch saved the garden last year. It kept the roots cool, the fruit clean, and this tomato thriving. Oaxacan Pink isn’t just beautiful — it’s generous and resilient.<br><br>Type: Indeterminate<br><br>Days to Maturity: 75–85 days<br><br>Fruit Size: Medium to large<br><br>Color: Soft pink with deep ribbing<br><br>Flavour: Sweet, low-acid, full-flavoured<br><br>Skin: Tough enough to resist cracking, even in drought<br><br>Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico – traditionally linked to Zapotec growers

Heirloom Beefsteak Black Krim Tomato Seeds - 15+ Per Pack

Black Krim is a striking dark beefsteak heirloom producing large, slightly flattened fruit with dusky mahogany-red skin and distinctive green shoulders. I grew this one in Whangamatā about five years ago and still remember the flavour — smooth, deep and intense. Bloody delicious.<br><br>Black Krim can be tricky to judge by colour alone. Use your hands. Pick when the fruit gives slightly under gentle pressure but is still firm. Leave it too long and it can become soft and watery.<br><br>Like many large beefsteaks, Black Krim is prone to concentric cracking around the shoulders. If cracks begin to open, pick the fruit and finish ripening inside before insects or disease get an opportunity.<br><br>Handy Hint: Feel, don't just look. Mulch well and keep watering consistent to reduce cracking.<br><br>Type: Indeterminate beefsteak<br>Maturity: Mid-season, approx. 60–75 days<br>Fruit: Large, flattened/oblate<br>Colour: Dusky mahogany-red, green shoulders<br>Flavour: Smooth, deep, intense<br>Leaf: Regular<br>Pollination: Open-pollinated heirloom<br>Origin: Crimea, Black Sea region

Tlacolula Pink Mexican - 15+ Seeds - Vogel Slab Worthy

Graceful and full of sunshine — this Oaxacan heirloom grows with an old-world charm that’s hard to forget. Its soft pink, pear-shaped fruit ripple with gentle curves and carry a mild, sweet flavour that shines in fresh salads or slow-roasted dishes. Strong, steady vines produce generously through the warmth of summer — a true beauty from the highlands of Mexico.<br>Type: Heirloom, indeterminate<br>Days to Maturity: 75–80<br>Fruit Size: 2–4 oz<br>Color: Rosy pink with light ribbing<br>Flavour: Mild, sweet, low acid<br>Skin: Thin and tender<br>Origin: Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, Mexico

De Pinto - 15+ Seeds - Paste & Preserving

Passed down through the Pinto family of Long Island, De Pinto is a distinctive heirloom paste tomato with an unmistakable pointed blossom end. This vigorous indeterminate variety produces clusters of 5–7 elongated, plum-shaped fruit weighing around 45–60 g. Dense, meaty flesh with relatively little juice makes it an excellent choice for rich pasta sauces, bottling, preserving and slow roasting. As the fruit ripens, the shoulders may develop attractive golden marbling before turning a rich red. Plants are highly productive throughout the season and benefit from staking or trellising.<br><br>If you're looking for a genuine heirloom sauce tomato with character, productivity and outstanding preserving qualities, De Pinto is a rewarding addition to the garden.

Heirloom Beefsteak Pink Brandywine Seeds - 15+ Per Pack

Every wondered what make a pink tomato pink? Look at the skin. Pink tomatoes have red flesh beneath clear skin. Many familiar red tomatoes have yellow skin over red flesh, which changes the colour our eyes see. <br>Pink Brandywine is one of these classic examples.<br>Pink Brandywine produces large, meaty beefsteaks with rich, sweet, complex flavour and juicy flesh. Even as seedlings they stand out, with broad, smooth-edged potato leaves rather than the familiar jagged tomato foliage.<br><br>Plants are indeterminate and can become large and sprawling. Give them room and stake them well. The thin-skinned fruit can crack when soil moisture changes suddenly, so mulch well and water consistently.<br><br>Handy Hint: Don't leave these kids sitting root-bound in a tiny punnet. If their final garden spot isn't ready, pot them up and keep them powering ahead.<br><br>Type: Indeterminate beefsteak<br>Days to Maturity: 80–100 days from transplant<br>Fruit Size: Large to very large<br>Colour: Rosy pink<br>Flavour: Rich, sweet, complex<br>Flesh: Meaty and juicy<br>Leaf: Potato leaf<br>Skin: Thin – prone to cracking<br>Pollination: Open-pollinated heirloom<br>Origin: USA<br>

Oaxacan Pink Mexican - 15+ Seeds - Vogel Slab Worthy

The Oaxacan Pink is a deeply pleated heirloom — unusual in appearance, and generous in yield. In my garden, it cropped heavily, much like its cousin Tlacolula. With good support and plenty of space, it produces soft rose-pink fruit in full, abundant clusters.<br><br>Some fruit showed cat-facing (see image below) — those deep folds that form when temperatures are too cold. This happens when tissue between the style and ovary doesn’t develop properly. As soon as you see a fruit cat-facing, remove it — the earlier the better, so the plant’s energy can be directed to healthier fruit. I never save seed from cat-faced fruit. <br><br>Helpful hint: Plant out only once the weather has truly warmed, to reduce the risk of cat-facing and give your seedlings the strong start they need.<br><br>In Oaxaca, these tomatoes are fire-roasted or grilled before being turned into salsa — their thick flesh and low seed count make them ideal for rich, smoky sauces.<br>Type: Indeterminate<br><br>Days to Maturity: 80–85 days seeds are slow to germinate<br><br>Fruit Size: Medium to large<br><br>Color: Rose-pink<br><br>Flavour: Very sweet, slightly tart, low acidity<br><br>Skin: Thin, soft, pleated<br><br>Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico

San Marzano Tomato Seeds – 15+ per Pack – Ultimate Paste

San Marzano is the classic Italian plum tomato — long, slender, and deeply flavoured. Famous for its low seed count and rich flesh, it’s perfect for sauces, pastes, and roasting with garlic and onion.<br><br>This variety is a heavy cropper when staked well and grown in good soil. Like other plums, it can be prone to Blossom End Rot (BER), but don’t let that put you off — with deep mulch, consistent watering, and an understanding of how calcium is used by plants and how to make it available, it’s easily managed. You’ll find a full article on BER under Growing Tips if you need support.<br><br>Grow this one for bottling season — for the pantry jars, the depth of flavour, and the satisfaction of seeing them ripen in long clusters on the vine. Once stored, they become a kind of treasure — holding the taste of summer tomatoes, in the heart of winter.<br><br>Type: Paste / Plum<br><br>Days to Maturity: 80–85 days<br><br>Fruit Size: 10–12 cm long<br><br>Color: Deep red<br><br>Flavour: Rich, sweet, and complex<br><br>Skin: Thin and easy to peel<br><br>Origin: Campania, Italy – traditionally grown near Mount Vesuvius<br><br>

Heirloom Plum Tomato San Marzano Seedling

San Marzano – The Sauce Maker’s Treasure<br><br>Lower in acid, incredibly sweet, and often hailed as the holy grail for tomato sauce. My grandfather grew these because they were gentle on his stomach and simply delicious.<br><br>These elongated plum tomatoes thrive in the volcanic soils surrounding Mount Vesuvius near Naples. Compared with the Roma, San Marzanos are slimmer, slightly longer, and pointed at the ends. Their thick, meaty flesh holds fewer seeds and delivers a richer, more concentrated flavour.<br><br>One day, I’d love to travel to Naples, taste them in their homeland, and talk the big T with the locals.<br><br>Got your pastes covered.<br>From my garden to yours — Tomato Love.

Moonglow - 15+ Seeds - Ultimate Salad

Moonglow is a vibrant yellow heirloom with gentle sweetness and lightly tropical, fruity notes. Its orange-gold colour comes from naturally high levels of tetra-cis-lycopene, a form of lycopene more readily absorbed from raw fruit than that in most red tomatoes.<br><br>Fruits are medium-sized with smooth skin, thick walls, and a dense, meaty texture. While it can crack with sudden moisture changes, Moonglow is a long-keeper, storing well after harvest and holding flavour.<br><br>Grower’s note: Originally sourced from Seetha’s Seed, grown out and regrown locally. First ripe fruit at around 89–90 days. Results vary with conditions.<br><br>Type: Indeterminate<br><br>Days to Maturity: ~85–90 days<br><br>Fruit: Medium (170–225 g), yellow<br><br>Flavour: Sweet, fruity, lightly tropical<br><br>Keeping: Long-keeper, stores well<br><br>Origin: United States (Heirloom, won 2007 SSE Tasting Award)

Soldacki - 15+ Seeds - Vogel Slab Worthy

Soldacki is a rosy-pink Polish heirloom that delivers big, old-world flavour in every slice. Its fruits are softly ribbed, with thin skin and a rich, meaty interior that melts into sandwiches and summer platters. <br><br>In our Hokianga garden this season, Soldacki held its sweetness even through drought; the only trade-off was cracking, easily managed by watering deeply, mulching well. Pick from the base of vine as they begin blushing and ripen inside before cracking can occur. <br><br>If you love a low-acid beefsteak that feels like home-grown sunshine, Soldacki will quickly earn a place in your seed vault — and on your table. <br><br>Handy Hint - Remove those cracking tomatoes early. As disease can enter. Mulch thickly, lots of compost and manures. Stake well. <br><br>You get no surprises from me; I tell it like it is. No filters here. The image of them green, they were well watered until the possum ate them.<br><br>Type: Indeterminate beefsteak<br><br>Days to Maturity: 75–85 days<br><br>Fruit Size: Large, lobed, 200–400g (can vary)<br><br>Color: Blush pink with green shoulders<br><br>Flavour: Sweet, low-acid, meaty texture<br><br>Skin: Thin – prone to cracking in dry spells<br><br>Origin: Poland (brought to the U.S. in the late 1800s)

Chocolate Cherry - 15+ Seeds - Salads

Chocolate Cherry is a garden stunner — rich mahogany skin, juicy flesh, and a flavour that balances sweet, tart, and earthy all at once. These prolific little gems grow in clusters, perfect for picking straight from the vine and popping into your mouth. Customers often say they never make it into the kitchen — they're just that moreish.<br><br>I’ve found Chocolate Cherry to be exceptionally productive, especially when well-supported and given room to climb. It handles cooler nights better than many cherries and continues cropping late into the season. A vigorous grower with disease resistance that makes it a reliable choice year after year.<br><br>Originally believed to have ties to Andean wild tomatoes, this variety carries the complexity of older cultivars with the charm of modern snacking tomatoes. Grow it once, and you'll be saving seeds for life.<br>Type: Cherry<br><br>Days to Maturity: 70–75 days<br><br>Fruit Size: Small (2.5–4 cm)<br><br>Color: Deep mahogany-brown<br><br>Flavour: Sweet, tangy, rich<br><br>Skin: Smooth, thin<br><br>Origin: Believed to have Andean ancestry; modern open-pollinated selection

Yellow Pear Seeds 15+ per pack

It's an oldie but a goodie dating back to the early 1800s; it hangs in clusters like grapes, is sweet and is yellow and low in acid. It will produce for you continually through summer, and although its fruit is small, the vine is large and hardy, and it is indeterminate. Honestly a favorite; I love how beautiful it looks. Taste the sun! It's pretty good for being disease resistant, too—no problems with this last summer. <br>

Cherokee Purple - 15+ Seeds - Ultimate Vogel Slab

Cherokee Purple is a dusky-rose heirloom believed to have originated with the Cherokee people in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains — a region with hot, humid summers much like Northland. It’s known for its deep, smoky flavour and soft, wine-like flesh.<br><br>In my Hokianga garden, this variety held up well through drought. I mulched heavily and reduced watering to only when the plants showed signs of stress in the evening. It didn’t crack, and the fruit was beautiful. Spacing matters with this one — overcrowding reduced my yield, so give it room to breathe.<br><br>Cherokee Purple is resilient, flavourful, and well worth growing. It’s a tomato with history — old is gold.<br><br>Type: Indeterminate beefsteak<br><br>Days to Maturity: 80–90 days<br><br>Fruit Size: Large, 250–450g<br><br>Color: Dusky rose with green shoulders<br><br>Flavour: Deep, rich, smoky, wine-like<br><br>Skin: Thin, but resistant to cracking with mulch and observation<br><br>Origin: Foothills of the Appalachian Mountains – attributed to the Cherokee people<br><br>Mulch heavily to protect roots and retain moisture<br><br>Water regularly, when possible, but reduce during droughts with close observation<br><br>Space generously — this variety likes airflow and breathing room.

Moneymaker - 15+ Seeds - Salad Hero

Moneymaker is one of the true classics—a dependable British heirloom bred in the early 1900s for both greenhouse and field production. In my garden it lives up to its name: long, tidy trusses of medium-sized, bright-red globes that just keep coming. The firm skin resists cracking, the flavour is clean and balanced, and each fruit is the perfect salad size. It stores well, too—handy when you’re harvesting by the bowlful.<br><br>This season was exceptional: I never saw a hint of disease, even in the drought, and the plants cropped so heavily I kept the local Boat Shed supplied with baskets of Moneymakers (alongside Moonglows and Chocolate Cherries). It’s prolific, a true long-cropper, and remarkably happy in a large pot on the deck—close at hand for kitchen snacking.<br><br>For gardeners who want a no-drama tomato with solid flavour and reliable abundance, Moneymaker remains exactly what its name promises.<br><br>Type: Indeterminate<br><br>Days to Maturity: 75–80 days<br><br>Fruit Size: Medium (5–7 cm)<br><br>Color: Bright red<br><br>Flavour: Clean, balanced, classic<br><br>Skin: Firm, resists cracking<br><br>Origin: England, early 1900s<br><br><br><br><br><br>

Heirloom Beefsteak Tomato Pleated Zapotec Seedling

Traced back to the areas of Central America, an heirloom from Tlacolula Mexico, rich in history low in acid, great for stuffing and baking as it has open pockets when cut open. Fruits are heavily ribbed in the shape of a bell and flattish, firm flesh, taste is sweet. Indeterminate, 85 days, fruit size medium, regular leaf, considered to be prolific producers and pretty high resistance. It wants to grow well for you. This Mexican beauty will need to be supported, stake well. This one I have never grown before so I'm looking forward to the feedback.

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