Which heirloom varieties? Places to order online?

**Budgetmom** · 05-30-2008, 10:39 PM

I've just learned about the benefits of planting heirloom veggies and saving seeds. If you were going to recommend one variety of corn, one variety of red tomato, and one variety of lettuce, which would you recommend? I live in the south portion of zone 5.

Also, where is your favorite place for ordering heirloom seeds online?

**suki** · 05-31-2008, 09:24 AM

It's late for starting tomatoes by seed and hubby isn't up yet to answer your questions... (he only grows heirloom and has 180 tomato plants this year) I actually like the cherokee purple tomatoes as one of my favorites.

Anyway, to order online, go to www.rareseeds.com and to learn more and talk to a lot of heirloom gardeners go to www.idigmygarden.com

This online and physical store benefits our local foodbank and is working to teach folks to grow their own food. http://www.heirloomseedshop.com/
Good luck!

**PrairieRose** · 05-31-2008, 09:44 AM

My mom would always plant tomato seed about now for the 2nd harvest and then in another month or so she'd try again. Gripey (my dh) orders our's from www.tomatogrowers.com . We're testing more heirlooms, haven't found the perfect variety for us yet. I'll try to remember to let ya know when we do

.

**suki** · 05-31-2008, 09:55 AM

Just curious... but was your mom in Texas too? Texas is in zone 8 - 9 and they can get a second growing season. Southern Zone 5 is like Columbia, MO, Pennsylvania and they have a much shorter growing season. We're in Zone 6 and hubby started his seeds back around February, I think and has been transplanting the plants to the garden the last 2 weeks, they are between 6 inches tall and a foot tall.

If you describe what type of tomato you like (acidic or sweet, meaty, juicy, etc) then I can ask hubby which ones fit your desires... he's very good at that. And, we've grown so many varieties that we've sampled a lot of heirlooms.

**Budgetmom** · 05-31-2008, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by suki

Just curious... but was your mom in Texas too? Texas is in zone 8 - 9 and they can get a second growing season. Southern Zone 5 is like Columbia, MO, Pennsylvania and they have a much shorter growing season. We're in Zone 6 and hubby started his seeds back around February, I think and has been transplanting the plants to the garden the last 2 weeks, they are between 6 inches tall and a foot tall.

If you describe what type of tomato you like (acidic or sweet, meaty, juicy, etc) then I can ask hubby which ones fit your desires... he's very good at that. And, we've grown so many varieties that we've sampled a lot of heirlooms.

Oh, thank-you. What I love is a tomato that I can just eat plain with salt and pepper. I like to just eat that for lunch sometimes. My preference is something that is more acidic than sweet, and definitely meaty.

About the growing, we've already got non-heirloom varieties planted for this year (before I learned, LOL). I'm mainly trying to figure out what I want to do for next year. Maybe order the seeds now. I really appreciate all of the input.

**PrairieRose** · 05-31-2008, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by suki

Just curious... but was your mom in Texas too? Texas is in zone 8 - 9 and they can get a second growing season. Southern Zone 5 is like Columbia, MO, Pennsylvania and they have a much shorter growing season. We're in Zone 6 and hubby started his seeds back around February, I think and has been transplanting the plants to the garden the last 2 weeks, they are between 6 inches tall and a foot tall.

Yeah actually in the exact same house. We bought it from them when they moved away and we're now tilling the same ground she did....sorta like the family farm but not really.

**suki** · 05-31-2008, 01:56 PM

For a more acidic slicer, hubby suggests Beefsteak.

Although it's sweeter and more mild, I really like the Great White as a table tomato... it has very good flavor and it's fun to eat a white tomato!

**ShawnaRae** · 06-02-2008, 12:26 PM

'Seeds of Change' is my favorite for on-line ordering. They sell many heirloom varieties, as well as newer varieties. Every single seed they sell is an open pollinated variety, so seeds can be saved from everything they sell. They also sell seedlings, so you could still get in on an heirloom tomato this year! Also, they have some good seed saving info on their site.