Tomato, Purple Calabash (Lycopersicon esculentum), packet of 30 seeds, organic

Family:  Nightshade (Solanacea)

Annual:  150 days from seeding,  80 days from transplant.*

Indeterminate vine producing ruffled fruits in profusion.  Heirloom type dating back to the 16th century.  Extremely drought- and frost-tolerant.  Many consider the shape and appearance of the tomato to be somewhat ugly, but on a blind taste test of tomatoes this one is usually chosen as the best.  The fruits contain little juice–they are quite solid–when sliced and put to the dinner plate they are more like a dollop of thick tomato sauce than a fresh tomato.  “This is where all the taste bred out of the F1 tomatoes fled to.”

As with all tomatoes, start in March or April indoors and transplant out to the garden after the soil has truly warmed.  Moderate watering and a sunny aspect make for powerfully tasty fruits.  Stake.

30 seeds per packet, certified organically grown

* Specific planting notes from the 2024 season:  Planted 3/7, transplanted to field 5/9, harvested first bunch of fruits 8/8.