The other day I wrote about 10 of the tomato varieties we are growing this year. Today, I bring you the other 9 tomato varieties for 2021. When I went on my tomato variety quest at the end of last season, I stumbled across Seed Saver’s Exchange (SSE). I ordered several of the previously mentioned varieties from their seed catalog. Later, I learned about a program through Seed Savers Exchange called the ADAPT trials.
SSE ADAPT Trials
For the ADAPT trials, SSE selects several new seed varieties of various crops for people to trial. The trial participants then select which crops they want to grow. Later they send you 3 seed varieties per crop. Each participant then grows the seeds and keeps track of what they like or dislike. Given my fascination for heirlooms, specifically tomatoes, I was intrigued. I requested more info from SSE and decided to participate. In the Spring, I received word on the crop options. I chose paste and slicer tomatoes as well as winter squash, pole beans, and spinach.
Receiving my Seeds
A couple of months later, after much anticipation, I received my seeds. I excitedly looked through the different varieties. With the help of the internet, I did some digging to see if I could find out what the tomatoes would be like. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I didn’t find much. I resigned myself to being surprised by the results and got the seeds planted. The paste tomato varieties included Salvaterra’s Select, Rinaldo, and Airyleaf. The slicers included Smiley, Church, and German Pink.
Paste Tomatoes – 2021 ADAPT Varieties
Salvaterra’s Select
First off, Salvaterra’s Select, the control variety, is a classic, tried and true paste tomato. According to SSE, this variety won the tomato tasting for the paste tomato category in 2017. The plants produce 2.5-3.75 inch oblong, red fruit.
Rinaldo
I didn’t find much info on the second variety: Rinaldo. However, I did learn that the variety produces 4-10 oz. red plum shaped fruits.
Airyleaf
The final paste variety, Airyleaf, produces long 8 oz. pink fruit.
Slicer Tomatoes – 2021 Seed Trials
Smiley
The first variety, Smiley, is the variety I am most curious about. However, it was also the variety for which I could track down the least information. Thus, I must wait and see what the Smiley will produce. Interestingly, Smiley set green fruit before any of the other trial varieties.
Church
The second variety, Church, is a large pink beefsteak tomato. According to SSE, Church sets fruit late, which seems to be the case given that all my other varieties have set fruit and this one is a bit behind.
German Pink
Third, is the German Pink. This is the control variety for the slicer tomato trials. The German Pink is one of the original varieties that inspired the founding of Seed Saver’s Exchange. Potato leaf plants produce 1-2 pound pink beefsteaks.
The Other 3 Tomato Varieties
Now, you’re probably wondering why I titled this article 9 tomato varieties for 2021 and only mentioned 6. Well, here are the other 3. After I planted most of my seeds this spring, I received several more varieties from a family member. The varieties included Purple Bumble Bee, Wild Boar’s Indigo Apple, and Kaleidoscopic Jewel. All of these, of course, excited my fancy for purple tomatoes and I got to work planting these as well. So far, these varieties have not disappointed. Although they aren’t ripe yet, they have produced an array of vibrant blue and green fruit that will eventually transition to red and purple.
Purple Bumble Bee
The Purple Bumble Bee is a cherry tomato variety from Baker Creek. These tomatoes ripen to a dark red with vibrant lime green stripes. They are said to be highly productive and to mature in 60-70 days. However, I’m growing these in a container and they don’t seem to like their habitat.
Kaleidoscopic Jewel
The Kaleidoscopic Jewel is a small tomato developed by Brad Gates of Wild Boar farms. At fruit set, the tomatoes have purple stripes from the high anthocyanin content. Later, the tomatoes ripen to a mix of Red, Purple and Black Stripes.
Indigo Apple
Another introduction from Wild Boar Farms, the Indigo Apple. These tomatoes also start out with bright purple stripes and ripen to a dark red with dark purple to black shoulders.
So far, we are still waiting for all of these varieties to ripen. This past week, however, a Cherokee Purple and a Black Krim tomato started to turn. Soon, tomato season will be in full swing. And, I simply cannot wait. Stay tuned for our tomato tasting results and I’ll be sure to share which varieties we will and will not be growing again next year. I’d love to hear what varieties you’re growing this year. Feel free to share them in the comments.
