Tomatoes!

I had a lovely time at a local market last night, hopping to it and selling my super range of spring tomato plants. I had so much fun I'm going to do it all again next week - you'll find me and my plants at Anissa Victoria's Vintage Market in that temporary architectural wonder, the Pallet Pavilion (corner of Durham and Kilmore Streets, central Christchurch). See you there on Friday 1 November, 4-8pm!

I have a super range of heritage varieties (all grown by my fair paws) in organic potting mix and raised from untreated or home-saved seed.

So, what have I got?

Beefsteak types

The heavyweights of the tomato world. Fry 'em up, sauce 'em up or enjoy a slab on toast.

Black Krim - Deep purple, man. Huge and known for doing rather well in pots.
Black from Tula - similar looking to Black Krim but with a smokier flavour.
Brandywine - available in a range of colours.
Greek beefsteak - the classic red, round, big tomato.

Mid-size all-rounders

Use 'em in salads, sandwiches or lightly cooked - however you like really!

Campari - golfball sized red tomatoes which grow on pretty trusses. Excellent in salads.
Orange Roma - low acid and a gorgeous deep orange colour. My favourite!
Purple calabash - the baby sister of the Black Krim. Mid-sized fruit with deep flavour

Sauce tomatoes

Want to make and preserve sauces? These are your go-to toms.

San Marzano - the classic Italian sauce tomato. relatively dry flesh makes for thick and flavoursome sauce with little boiling-down to do.
(Any of the beefsteaks and Orange Roma also make great sauce.)

Cherry tomatoes

Sungold - voted River Cottage's tastiest cherry tomato. A sunny orange colour and a sweet, intense flavour.
Broad Ripple Yellow Currant Cherry - small yellow fruits in prolific abundance.

Dwarf cherry tomatoes

Grow 'em in pots or hanging baskets! There plants stay compact and need no staking.

Minibelle - cute bright red, slightly teardrop-shaped fruits. Early to fruit and stays the distance over summer.
Henry Harrington's dwarf bush cherry - classic round red cherry tomatoes on a compact and sturdy plant.

Whatever you grow, enjoy it and experiment with it! Find out what you like best. The great thing about all these heritage varieties is that, being non-hybridised, you can save the seed of your favourites for next year!