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. 

Pkt. (20+ seeds) $1.50

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? 

Pkt. (20+ seeds) $1.50

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! 
 

Pkt. (20+ seeds) $1.50

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. 

Pkt. (20+ seeds) $1.50

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.

Pkt. (20+ seeds) $1.50

1/4 oz. (2500 seeds) $12.50
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

From Siberia. Our best variety of tomato for cold climates and famous around the world for its ability to set tomatoes in temperatures as low as  40 degrees. Slightly flattened, round 3-5 ounce red tomatoes are produced in large clusters. Very early maturing - 65 days in cool climates (as early as 50 days in warm climates). Can be grown year round in warm climates. Read more >>>

A 19th century heirloom tomato that produces a huge quantity of small, red cherry tomatoes with a sweet flavor. The classic Cherry tomato. Read more >>>

One of our most popular tomatoes! Produces a good strong crop of slightly flattened, irregular red tomatoes up to two pounds in weight. The thick meaty flesh is blessed with a good flavor and is useful for slicing, salads and for canning. Popular since the 19th century. Read more >>>

This is the old, original 19th century Red Oxheart Tomato that made other early Italian tomatoes famous in the United States! Large smooth red heart-shaped tomatoes up to one and a half pounds in weight. Excells in flavor and possesses very meaty flesh with few seeds. Great for sauces and canning. Read more >>>

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?
Read more >>>

Roma Tomatoes were introduced in 1958 and are famous throughout the United States as a paste tomato. The disease tomato resistant plants produce gobs of red plum-shaped paste tomatoes with thick flesh. Roma should be grown in every tomato patch! Read more >>>

A large red strawberry shaped tomato from Germany. Up to one pound with thick red, tasty flesh.
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A rare tomato variety named for Chico, California that is related to Roma. Red plum-shaped tomatoes are perfect for making tomato paste or for canning. Once used commercially, it was replaced by hybrids and is now very rare. Read more >>>

A 1934 introduction from Campbell's Soup Company and Rutgers University. A prolific producer of scarlet red, round tomatoes. Once the most popular tomato in North America! Read more >>>

Developed in 1917, the Marglobe Tomato was introduced by the USDA in 1925 and later went on to become one of the parents to the famous Rutgers tomato. Produces a huge crop of perfectly round, smooth, solid fleshed red tomatoes. Excellent tomato for commercial and home use. Read more >>>

Ace 55 Tomato is an extremely low acid variety of tomato, in fact, so low in acid that it cannot be canned by the hot water bath method. Produces a large crop of oblong, medium sized red tomatoes. Read more >>>

The Campbell's 1327 Tomato was developed by the Campbell's Soup Company over 50 years ago for commercial use and was used to make the famed Campbell's Tomato Soup. A very disease resistant producer of sweet, red tomatoes that does well even in unfavorable soil and climates. Read more >>>

The Homestead 24 Tomato is a tomato variety that tolerates hot weather and drought. Fruits weigh about 8 ounces and are red and smooth. Resistant to common diseases. Read more >>>

Porter is a tomato variety bred for hot climates that originated in Texas. This lovely little tomato variety produce a great abundance of deep red colored, smooth, plum shaped tomatoes with a tender skin. Each fruit weighs from 2-4 ounces, is blemish free and posesses an exceptionally sweet flavor. Does well in containers. Read more >>>

New Yorker is a very early tomato variety that is suitable for cool northern climates. Produces a hefty crop of medium-sized, round red tomatoes with a wonderful taste. Very rare. Read more >>>

The Abraham Lincoln Tomato was introduced in 1923 by the Buckbee Seed Company. Later it became attached to the RH Shumway Company. This rare tomato produces lovely red tomatoes that consistantly reach one pound in weight. Tomatoes up to three pounds are ocassionally grown. Read more >>>

An open pollenated heirloom introduced in 1908 that produces smooth, round and red tomato fruit with a sweet taste. Medium sized, fleshy and tasty fruit. Read more >>>