Ponderosa Pink is a  heavy yielding, open pollinated tomato variety originally introduced by the famous seedsman Peter Henderson in 1891. Henderson originally reffered to this tomato as the "Great 400", but after holding a contest to name the variety, the name Ponderosa was chosen. The Ponderosa Pink Tomato produces an abundance of large, flattish 9-12 ounce pink red tomatoes. The tomatoes themselves have a sweet and mild flavor with a thin skin and few seeds, but are somewhat subject to cracking if over watered. About 100 days to maturity. 

There is some speculation that Ponderosa Pink and the presumed extinct tomato variety known "Livingston's Buckeye State" (introduced in 1893 by the Livingston Seed Company) may actually be the same tomato variety.

1/4 oz. (2500 seeds) $12.50

Ponderosa Red, also known as Henderson's Crimson Cushion, Scarlet Ponderosa, Red Majestic and a host of other names) is the grandfather of all modern beefsteak tomatoes. In particular, Red Beefsteak was a selection of this variety from  the 1950's, while Burpee Delicious was another selection from the 1970's. Originally introduced in 1892 under the name Crimson Cushion by Peter Henderson and Co., Henderson reffered to the variety as "The Crimson Scarlet Brother of Ponderosa" and it said that this variety was simply a red fruited sport that appeared in a field of Henderson's Ponderosa. 

Ponderosa Red is a very good example of an old fashioned tomato and gives good yields of very large, deeply ribbed, beefsteak type fruits of a bright scarlet color. The flesh is solid, yet juicy and has a nice balance of a sweet and acidic true tomatoey flavor. Ideal for slicing into great big slabs to put on sandwiches, burgers or to just enjoy salt and peppered. Indeterminate. 90 days. 

1/4 oz. (2500 seeds) $12.50

A tomato introduction by Burpee's Seeds in 1979. Huge, red meaty fruit with a good taste. Produces tomatoes up to two pounds with regular care. This variety also produced the world's heaviest tomato - a giant weighing over 7 pounds! Can you grow a bigger tomato? 

1/4 oz. (2500 seeds) $12.50

Roma is an outstanding and disease resistant tomato variety that produces oblong red, plum-like tomatoes of a medium size. Roma is ideal for making tomato paste or for canning. There seems to be some debate about this tomato variety's origin. Though it is typically assumed to be an Italian heirloom tomato, in their 1958 annual catalogue, Geckler Seeds Company states that the Roma is: 

"A very important new tomato development at the Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Maryland. Final selection came from the progenies of crosses of San Marzano, Pan American and Red Top. Vine and fruit characteristics resemble Red Top, but much more productive and larger than San Marzano."

In the years since, this tomato variety has become one of the best known tomatoes in the United States and is popular among gardeners as well as commercial growers due to it's fine taste, meaty flesh and resistance against Fusarium and Verticulum Wilt. Determinate. Matures early - 65 to 70 days. Roma is a very popular tomato and not at all rare, but it is one of our personal favorites! 

1/4 oz. (2500 seeds) $12.50

Ace 55 is an old commercial variety that was introduced in 1955 by the Campbell's Soup Company. Ace excells over most other tomatoes when used fresh and is extremely low in acid. (According to a 1970's era USDA study, this variety was so low in acid that it was determined that this variety should NOT be used for canning by standard hot water method). Strong plants produce an abundance of medium sized, red oblong 8-12 ounce tomato fruits with a sweet taste and firm flesh. Vines are resistant to Verticilum and Fusarium Wilt. 

1/4 oz. (2500 seeds) $12.50

First introduced in 1953, Homestead 24 is a variety that tolerates hot weather and was widely used commercially in Florida in the 1950's and 1960's. Fruits weigh about 8 ounces and are red and smooth. Resistant to common diseases. Determinate. 80 days.

1/4 oz. (2500 seeds) $12.50

Henderson's Golden Ponderosa Tomato is a golden yellow version of the famous Ponderosa Beefsteak Tomato that was introduced by the Peter Henderson Seed Co. in 1891. The Golden Ponderosa was introduced 25 years later in 1914 and quickly became the top yellow tomato available to the public. In the 90 years since, this great old fashioned tomato variety has grown rare. Henderson's Golden Ponderosa is not very tolerant of common tomato foliage diseases, but is a great producer of mild flavored, sweet tomatoes of a rich, golden yellow color of a beefsteak type. Indeterminate. Matures in 80 days.

This is a large yellow-orange round beefsteak that is higher in Vitamin C and less in acid than most other varieties. The tomato fruits are produced in a heavy yield from upright and uniform Indeterminate vines, which make this variety easy to manage. Matures early - only 70 days! This tomato variety was originally introduced in 1943 by the Wm. Henry Maule Seed Company of Philadelphia.

This famous pre-1800's tomato variety is also occasionally known as Beam's Yellow Pear tomato and is similar to the Red Pear tomatoes, except that it differs in color. These are just like the little yellow pear tomatoes that your grandmother once grew in her garden when you were a child. Fortunately, the Yellow Pear Tomato is very much alive today and has remained popular for many decades. 

This variety produces an abundance of cherry sized, pear shaped tomatoes of a brilliant yellow color. These unique little little tomatoes provide a real conversation piece to those who have never seen them and offer a great deal of ornamental value if grown in a container gardener. The tomatoes themselves are produced in a large abundance and features a very sweet, mild and fresh flavor. Their excellent color, unique shape and luscious taste make them an ideal tomato for salads, as well as for relishes, sauces and for making tomato preserves. This tomato variety has been documented as being very high in vitamins and other nutrients. With its unusual shape and color, this tomato's a great choice to introduce your children to the benefit of eating healthy vegetables. 

This tomato is so vigorous that it is notorious for self seeding itself. Yellow Pear is also a great cold tolerant tomato variety and will generally last further into the season than other varieties. Typically, Yellow Pear is the last tomato living in most gardens at the end of the year. As the plants themselves are very vigorous, staking or caging is required. Indeterminate. Matures in about 70 to 80 days. 

This open pollinated heirloom tomato from Russia is also known as "Wonderlight". The original seed of this wonderful Russian tomato variety was originally collected by Kent Whealy of SSE from an elderly Russian seedsman who sold his garden seeds at the Kalitnikovskiy Ptichije Rynok (Kalitnikovskiy Bird Market) in the Eastern sector of Moscow (Note: the Kalitnikovskiy Bird Market, which had been operational in the same location since the 1930's, was closed down on December 29th, 2001 by Moscow City Police. Read an article about its closure here - in English). 

This outstanding and unusual yellow tomato variety is  known in Russia as "Limmony Liana" (translation: "Lemon Vine")  and produces an abundance of lemon shaped, 4 to 6 oz. yellow tomato fruits. This tomato offers a great flavor and can double as an attractive decoration for the table or salad bar, but also makes excellent sauce or even yellow catsup. This tomato will excel in the short season and cold climates of northern areas. Indeterminate. About 95 days to maturity. 

The Patio Orange Tomato is a perfectly shaped, orange colored cherry tomato that is perfect for growing in containers due to their compact, but stocky vines. The plants feature a very good disease resistance and produce extrordinairy yields of bright orange globes that weigh 2 to 4 ounces each. These lovely little tomatoes are very big on taste and feature a delicious, sharp, sweet taste. 

Patio Orange is an ideal tomato variety for those with only a balcony, a small patio, a small plot or only windowboxes for growing space.

Determinate. 52 days.

With all of the Brandywine Tomato varieties, or rather tomatoes carrying the name of "Brandywine", there is a lot of confusion about the varying Brandywine Tomatoes and their origin. The Yellow Brandywine Tomato is often regarded as being a yellow version of the famous Brandywine Tomato and is often regarded as being an old Amish heirloom variety. 

However, according to heirloom tomato specialist and author of  "101 Heirloom Tomatoes For The American Garden", Dr. Carolyn Male (pers. com.), contrary to what is often reported, Yellow Brandywine has no Amish roots and is not related to the traditional Brandywine Tomato variety. She goes on to say that the tomato was originally sourced in Ohio. 

To go further in depth, tomato enthusiast Craig LeHoullier has written an article entitled: "Brandywine and Company: What We Know and What We Don’t (One Person’s Opinion)", (available on the web at Victory Seeds excellent site if you click here. And you'll be glad you read it too. Be sure to check out their excellent seed range, as well.). 

LeHoullier states that he:

He goes on to note that during his research in old seed catalogues, the only tomato variety that he found that was similar to this Yellow Brandywine Tomato was a variety introduced by the famous seedsman Peter Henderson in 1890 which Henderson named the "Shah Tomato". Shah was a golden yellow colored sport of a popular tomato variety known as The Mikado. Whether Yellow Brandywine and Shah are one and the same tomato still remains to be seen and this is likely unmeasurable.

This then, is the basic history of the Yellow Brandywine Tomato, in that contrary to what is often said of it, the variety appeared on the scene only a decade ago and has no known Amish roots. But that's history, for you! (It should also be noted that there is another type of Yellow Brandywine that is commonly referred to as the "Platfoot Strain" which is of a different origin than the latter.) The strain of Yellow Brandywine that we offer is one and the same as described by LeHoullier. In 2005, we also hope to offer seeds of the Platfoot Strain so that our many customers can grow these two side by side and choose their favorite.

Yellow Brandywine is a large yellow beefsteak type tomato with an excellent flavor and a creamy texture that reaches weights from 1 to 2 pounds. These nice yellow tomatoes are produced in adequate numbers upon an Indeterminate vine which features potato type leaves. The plants are hardy and do exceptionally well in climates subject to drought. 

Indeterminate. Matures about 100 days.

The Yellow Plum tomato is an old open pollenated tomato variety that produces a huge crop of one to two ounce, plum-shaped yellow tomatoes. They are almost identical to traditional red plum tomatoes save their beautiful golden-yellow color. Yellow Plum makes a wonderful paste tomato and can be used for making yellow tomato sauces, salads and for canned tomato preserves.

Determinate. Matures in 75 days.

Lollipop is an unusual yellow cherry tomato variety that produces large clusters of slightly transluscent one inch yellow tomatoes that hang on the plants like Lolliops might. These wonderful little yellow tomatoes are chock full of goodness and have a unique, fruity, sweet lemon-like flavor that is unlike any other variety of cherry tomato. The plants are extremely productive and produce well even in the hottest of temperatures. Disease resistant and suitable for outdoor and greenhouse production. Indeterminate. 80 days.

This open pollinated, bush type, cherry tomato was originally developed by the famous vegetable developer Dr. James R. Baggett at Oregon State University through breeding the Yellow Plum Tomato. Gold Nugget, also known as Golden Nugget, was first released to the public in 1983 and has been popular ever since. This tomato is perfectly suited for the climate of the Pacific Northwest United States and Canada, as well as other maritime climates. The Gold Nugget tomato is prolific producer of golden skinned, 1 inch diameter, globular to oval shaped tomatoes. The tomatoes are produced in prolific trusses on a small bush type, compact plant, making it ideal for the small garden. Nearly 75% of the tomatoes produced by Gold Nugget are seedless, crack resistant and feature a very sweet, flavorful and balanced taste. If the tomatoes are harvested continuously, Gold Nugget will out produce most other cherry tomato varieties and is ideal for use as a salad tomato. Determinate. Matures in about 55 days, which makes it one of the earliest  tomatoes to produce.