Tomato
Atkins' Stuffing
Indeterminate. Cordon. Our donor spotted this unusual tomato being sold as a one-off in a greengrocer’s in his native Swindon in the 1980s, and sent it to us as a stuffing tomato. It is hollow, but with sweet, succulent flesh. Seed Guardian Sue Price says, “Fantastic for filling with delicious things and cooking”. A reliable cropper that performs well outdoors or under glass, but will need support.
Auntie Madge's
Indeterminate. Cordon. This variety has been in our donor’s family for generations and handed down to her by her husband’s Aunt Madge. A hardy, early tomato, it is easy to grow and a prolific producer. It also shows some blight resistance. The young fruits vary in shape, maturing to a rounded plum 3-4 cm in size, with an excellent sweet and tangy flavour when eaten fresh or cooked
Brandysweet Plum
Indeterminate. Cordon. Originally from Canada, this variety was the result of an accidental cross of two varieties in 1998. Our donor selected for a large cherry type from this cross and created a thin-skinned, smooth, sweet-flavoured variety he describes as “melt-in-your-mouth tomato” which he considers “best of the bunch”.
Cavendish
Indeterminate. Cordon. An ex-commercial variety available in the 1950s. Comments from the donor and our Seed Guardians make us wonder what it must have done wrong to be dropped from the National List! A strong and heavy cropper; the fruits are dark red and around 5-6cm in diameter and when fully ripe have a delicious, rich tomatoey flavour. Great fresh but also perfect for using in stews, casseroles and soups.
Cesur d'Oro
Indeterminate. Cordon. Donated by tomato breeder Suzanne Arregger Perini, this variety produces 'well-behaved' plants and a large crop of attractive beefsteak-type, firm, orange-yellow fruits. Grow in a sunny spot and allow to fully ripen to enjoy the flavour. Can be used fresh in salads, but also cooked in stir fries or casseroles.
Clibran's Victory
Indeterminate. Cordon. Introduced by Clibran’s of Altrincham in 1918 and commercially available until the late 1950s. HSL member Mary Eastwood worked for Clibran’s as a seed cleaner in 1945/6 and recalls, “I can remember the thick red flesh with few seeds and a very thin skin, little use for commercial grading machines which probably caused its demise.” Ideally a glasshouse variety but performs well outside in sunny spot. Perfect for eating fresh or cooked, having a rich, slightly acidic flavour.
Darby Striped Orange/Green
Indeterminate. Cordon. Our donor saved seed from striped tomato fruit given to him in the 1960s by Dr Lewis Darby of the Glasshouse Crops Research Institute, Littlehampton. The fruits have attractive orange/dark green stripes which fade when fully mature, thin skins and a rich flavour. Seed Guardian Alan Booth suggests eating them while the stripes are still clearly visible and the flavour has a tangy sharpness.
Darby Striped Red/Yellow
Indeterminate. Cordon. Another variation on the variety produced when our donor saved seed from striped tomato fruit passed to him in the mid-1960s by Dr Lewis Darby of the Glasshouse Crops Research Institute, Littlehampton. This variety produces heavy trusses of red fruits with golden orange streaks. Does best under glass.
Early Outdoor/Sandpoint
Indeterminate. Cordon. Introduced by the University of Idaho in the 1970s, an early variety perfect for outdoor cultivation. Compact plants produce a profusion of golf-ball sized red fruits over a long season. Has been described as “an amazing little plant!” Seed Guardians and members all love the sweet, rich flavour.
Enorma/Potentate
Indeterminate. Cordon. This variety is thought to date back to around 1900 and was available commercially through Suttons Seeds from 1947. The tall, leafy plants produce a profusion of red, weakly ribbed beefsteak type tomatoes. An early variety suitable for cultivation outdoors or under glass.