Summer 2021 Tomato Lineup
We’re in the thick of tomato season, folks!
eager to share our lineup with you.
“so, What makes an heirloom an heirloom?”
Unlike the commercially-grown vegetables you find at the grocery store, heirloom fruits and vegetables are grown from seeds that have been passed down through the generations, typically at least 50 years.
How those varieties get passed down, however, is a variable story.
There are a few different types of heirloom tomatoes. Some are bred for their ripening time and yields, which lend to more large-scale, commercial growing. Though technically heirloom varieties, these tend to lack some of the astounding flavor of other heirloom varieties, since they are bred for factors that promote volume and profit above all else.
There are also heirlooms that, unlike commercially-grown, are grown for preservation’s sake. A family heirloom produces fruit that is genetically identical to the ones from which they came. Why knock a good thing, right? Red and Pink Brandywine’s are traditional family heirlooms.
Lastly, there are deliberately-created heirlooms, ones that are bred over several years from parent heirloom tomatoes to cultivate desirable traits, whether flavor, texture, etc. Lucid Gems are one of our favorites!
Spade & Plow Heirloom Tomato Varieties
Heirloom tomatoes are a tricky crop to grow. Soil type, weather, and climate can profoundly affect a tomato’s flavor and appearance. With the transition to the new property this year, and with a bout of experimental tomato grafting, we had our work cut out for us this year. We’ve stuck with varieties that we’ve come to know and trust after 5 years of growing, with a couple of fun surprise varieties. It’s always good to experiment and try new things. Feels good to dial things in, keep the color palette diverse, and appeal to all sorts of flavor and texture preferences!
Let us know which of the tomatoes are your favorites!
Blue Beauty
Blue Beauties are one of our favorites here at the farm. They’re a modest size, which lend perfectly to transport and slicing. They hold just as well on the countertop throughout the week.
Plenty of juice, but without the excessive oozing, we love the way these bite: firm, with the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
A true tomato among tomatoes!
Lucid Gem
The name says it all. These are far out, folks. We can’t get enough!
This strikingly beautiful tomato is prized for its deep purple shoulders, and multi-hued body: yellow, orange, and red abound! Medium in size, Lucid Gems are prized for their slightly savory flavor. A stellar slicer, these cut well and offer great full-bodied texture.
BLT, anyone?
Kellogg’s Breakfast
Big honkin’ tomatoes with a cheery orange-yellow hue, these are an heirloom among heirlooms. A perfect breakfast tomato (ahem, tomato toast!) packed with vibrant juice, few seeds, and meaty, creamy goodness. Seriously, the texture is the elevating factor for this tomato.
Third year growing these, with no intentions of them going anywhere. Eat your breakfast, kids!
Striped German
THE tried and true heirloom tomato, folks.
Juicy, sweet, hints of citrus, and complex tomato flavor, Striped German are steadfast and reliable. Premium by all accounts.
Aunt Ruby’s German Green
Nearly neon in color, this gorgeous variety takes on a slight amber hue when fully ripe. Slices are lime green, resembling a kiwi.
Flavor abounds with these, too! Soft texture, sweet, and spicy all at once. A luminous pop to our lineup.
Red brandywine
Earthy and hearty in flavor, these tomatoes are reminiscent of a well-done steak — beefsteak that is!
Add a sprinkle of salt and herbs, and they’ll knock your meal out of the park.
Pink BrandyWine
Rose colored glasses or not, these will turn anyone into a tomato optimist. A time-tested, and truly glorious heirloom, this rosy-pink tomato is the perfect slicing tomato for its large size and superb flavor.
Pink Brandywines have been around since 1885, and are the gold (ahem, pink!) standard for heirloom tomatoes.
A sandwich showstopper or the perfect addition to your Caprese.
Brad’s Atomic Grape Tomato
These tomatoes have galactic coloring. Ranging from lavender stripes, turning olive green to lime green, and hints of red and yellow. These elongated, large cherry tomatoes are full of flavor. Their sweet flavor bursts through the thick wall of the tomato. We like to eat these raw, or use them as you would a Roma tomato: in salsas and sauces.
roma saucing tomato
Nonna would be proud to make her back pocket sauce recipe with these.
Pasty, soft, and vibrant, we stand by the Romas, forever.