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Heirloom Tomato Seeds from WinterSown

February 4th, 2009

A couple weeks ago I found out about Winter Sown on Annie’s Kitchen Garden. Wintersown will send you free heirloom tomato seeds for nothing more than a self addressed stamped envelope. They have a list on their website and you choose 6 kinds that you would like and some alternates (in case they don’t have the ones you want). I was super excited when I looked through their list because they had Tumbling Tom as one of their options and Principe Borghese as well. I was hoping to find Tumbling Tom tomatoes because I want to try growing them in hanging baskets on my front porch. Principe Borghese are superb drying tomatoes, so I was hoping to find these to dry for winter use.
save-tomato-seeds-brochure
I sent off my SASE last week and I received my seeds on Monday. When I opened up my envelope I was delighted to not only find my first 6 choices of seeds, but some of my alternate choices as well and some cucumber and parsley seeds.
heirloom-seeds
They also included a brochure with directions on how to save your own seeds and they encourage you to send in your saved seeds so they can give them to others. What a great idea! I have saved tomato seeds for a few years, it’s super easy. This summer I saved a few from some farmer’s market tomatoes. I made sure to ask if they were heirloom plants. I’ll have to save a bunch and send in my extras this fall.
save-your-tomato-seeds-brochure
What seeds did I receive?

Cherokee Purple ~ Deep, dark rose-tone beefsteak, known for great flavor, most fruits over a half pound, IND, about 80 DTM

Cold Set ~ Canadian saladette has red fruits up to four ounces, fast and early, DET, about 65 DTM

Tumbling Tom ~ Loads of red cherries on dwarf plants are perfect for pots or hanging containers, DET, about 70 DTM

Costoluto Genovese ~ Italian heirloom has ribbed fruits, about 5 – 7 ounces, IND, 90 DTM

Roller Coaster Cherry Tomato Mix ~ Delicious and colorful blend made from varieties of cherry, pea, currant, wild types and rarities; 10+ seeds per pack, IND, 70 – 85+ DTM

Azoychka ~ Lemon-yellow beefsteaks can weigh about a half-pound, yummy early cropper, IND, 70+ DTM

Principe Borghese ~ great drying tomato, DET, about 75 DTM

White Beauty ~ Creamy white, meaty and delicious, most about a half pound, IND, 85 DTM

Kitchen Herb: Parsley

Marketmore Cucumber

I’m super excited about trying all these different kinds of tomatoes.  I really want to grow San Marzano as well, but those may have to wait till next year.  I’ll be starting these seeds in a month or two and I’ll probably give all the extra plants to my mom.  I’ll keep you posted on how they do.

What are you favorite tomato varities?  Have you ever saved seeds from you tomatoes?

13 Comments to “Heirloom Tomato Seeds from WinterSown”
  1. Judy on February 4, 2009 at 7:29 am

    We have grown Brandywines, Mortgage Lifters and Amish Paste for a while. This year I’m adding Amana Orange and Polish Linguisa (another paste tomato). I’ve saved seeds from other things but never tomatoes, this is the year to start. What a great deal to get free seeds! I’d jump on it but I’ve already got more things to start than I have room for!

    Reply to Judy's comment

  2. Maureen on February 4, 2009 at 11:17 am

    We grow the usual around here mostly, tho I keep planting a couple heirloom every year (trying to find one that can handle the heat.) Brandywines have failed 2 years in a row, but we’ve had success with Arkansas traveler and an orange variety that I’ve forgotten the name of (oops).

    We haven’t tried saving tomato seeds but I SO want to. Thanks for this site…we’re getting FREE seeds :)

    Reply to Maureen's comment

  3. Andres Stell on February 4, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    Thanks for the great site for heirloom seeds! I made my list and will be sending it to them soon.

    Reply to Andres Stell's comment

  4. cheesychick on February 4, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    Thanks for letting us know about this. I save some seeds, depends how busy I am in the fall and with this failing mind, if I remember. I guess I better get off the computer and get this done.
    Judi

    Reply to cheesychick's comment

  5. Kelly on February 4, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    Sounds like a lot of fun! I just heard about winter sowing this year as well and I’m currently testing it out on some bee balm and two varieties of lettuce, I’m interested to see how it works out.

    Reply to Kelly's comment

  6. Kelly on February 4, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    They all sound wonderful – I love all kinds!!

    Reply to Kelly's comment

  7. Carol Pettway on February 4, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    I, too, love the Principe Borghese…we had great luck with them last year and I dried quite a few. Also, saved some seed, so I am hoping they will germinate. How do you usually use them? do you put them in oil? or reconstitue them in water? Our other favorite is Fourth of July. I know it is a hybrid, but it seems to suit our climate and soil. We also had a good crop of Black Cherry tomatoes – they even won a 1st place at the Grange Fair!! I planted a lot of different heirlooms last year, but it was almost too much…we are going to concentrate on a few good ones this year. Thanks for the site information! I hope you have a very productive year!
    Oohoo

    Reply to Carol Pettway's comment

  8. kristin on February 4, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    Saving seeds is next on my list of Things To Try. We already have all the seeds we need (probably more than we need, actually) this year, so no free seeds for me. Maybe next year. New varieties of tomatoes are my weakness. Last year, my favorite was a Czech heirloom called Stupice. This year I’m trying Black Krim. If I can get over eating a tomato that looks rotten, that is.

    Reply to kristin's comment

  9. Chicago Mike on February 4, 2009 at 11:06 pm

    This is an awesome hook up Susy!

    Thanks for putting this up.

    Chicago Mike

    Reply to Chicago Mike's comment

  10. Mangochild on February 5, 2009 at 4:20 am

    Happy to hear you got your first choices! I wish I had room to grow tomatoes really…. there are so many choices, and the taste fresh from the vine…. last year I did varieties of grape and cherry tomatoes, and I have to admit that the majority never made it to the table – they went straight from the vine into my mouth :-)

    Reply to Mangochild's comment

  11. frugalmom on February 10, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    Thanks for the info. I am looking at all the choices right now. There are quite a few! I have not saved any of my own seeds yet, but this past season I grew heirlooms, Amish paste and Cherokee purple. The flavor was incredible, but I have to say that the rains we had made for quite a few split Cherokee purples…

    Reply to frugalmom's comment

  12. Susy on February 28, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    Glad everyone is taking advantage. I hope you all get some great varieties to try this summer!

    Reply to Susy's comment

  13. Jarrett Gavin on October 14, 2011 at 8:03 am

    I savor, cause I found just what I was taking a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

    Reply to Jarrett Gavin's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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