(Solanum lycopersicum)

Tomatoes began their existence as wild perennials high in the costal mountain ranges of Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Some of these tomato varieties were so exotic and regionally specific, that they required digestion (and resultant elimination) by turtles in order to germinate. Tomatoes soon spread North to Mexico where they were discovered by the visiting Spanish c.1600. From there, the tomato went on a world tour through Europe and Asia, making its way back across the Atlantic to the eastern United States c.1780 when Thomas Jefferson imported them from France. For awhile tomatoes were considered poisonous equating their consumption with almost certain and instantaneous death. They were even rumoured to make your teeth fall out, and drive you insane. That quickly changed as more and more closet tomato-eaters spoke-up. The name tomato is a derivative of the Náhuatl Aztec name tomatl. The Spanish used the term pome dei Moro (apple of the Moors), the Italians pomodoro (golden apple), and the French pomme d’amour (apple of love). Regardless of its namesake, the unforgettable and well-traveled tomato has become one of the most sought after and delicious garden vegetables of all!

SPECIAL NOTE: All varieties of Tomatoes are interchangeable and can be eaten fresh, made into sauces, or used however your taste buds best see fit! Having said that, we have taken the liberty to designate each of the varieties we sell into a “best fit” category in order to assist you in finding the perfect tomato for the task at hand. Lastly, please do not worry about the confusion of choice – whatever catches your eye will add tasteful tomatoes to your gardening experience!