Tomato Seed Exchange

Whether it's due to discretion, exaggeration or otherwise, the origins of our prized tomato seeds tend to boarder on urban myth. The "special ones" you picked up from your neighbour's brother in law (who purportedly imported them from the volcano soils of Sicily back in the 50's) seem to grow bigger and taste better over time. Of course, that could just be Darwinism at work, but some part of us feels it's related to the "I got the best bloody tomato" battle that's be raging since the beginning of the veggie patch. 

So we decided to chat to a few local dealers and ask how they came across their favourite seeds, and then most importantly, how they go about growing them each season.

GEOFF & VICKI

What is your relationship with the person who originally gave you your tomato seeds? What was involved in the exchange?

A lovely Greek lady called Vicki started visiting our front garden over 10 years ago when we moved back to Melbourne. Everyone on our street knows Vicki as she patrols many times a day. One day she commented that she loved our veggie patch crates filled with lush vegetables (especially the tomatoes) and that her front lawn needed cutting and by the way don't forget the edges. To keep her happy we also regularly supply Vicki with our family wine, tomato sauce and Italian sausage - but I digress. Vicki proclaimed to have had limited success with tomatoes in her back garden (where no one can see), until one day she walked through the gate with a wry smile (as only the Greeks can carry off) and handed over two of the biggest tomatoes I have EVER seen. “Somebody gave me the seeds" she said without any identification as to the supplier. We ate a portion of the tomatoes - which were so fleshy and tasty - and then dried some seeds which were designated ‘Vicki's Big Girls’.

When did the initial exchange take place?

Initially 2020, however a year later she backed it up with Vicki's big Girls 2--equally amazing in size and taste

To the best of your knowledge what varieties of seeds are they?

No idea - though pretty sure it's a type of oxheart - and I'm sure Vicki doesn't know (or care) either!

What is it about those varieties that compels you to save them and plant year after year?

Size, quality and success in propagating

When do you start propagating your tomato seeds? 

I start in late August/ early September and make sure the first batch are ready around Melbourne Cup weekend. But then I also propagate a batch on that weekend, to plant out around Xmas

What is your favourite method for propagation?

Using a mini greenhouse is excellent. I place them in the front lounge room, which is gas heated 24/7, on top of a coffee table in front of bay windows so that the seeds get maximum heat/sun and water spray twice a day

To pinch or not to pinch?

Have never pinched (a tomato plant)

What is your favourite method for trellising?

Timber stakes and conical metal stands, and find it extremely difficult not to over plant, as she who must be obeyed reminds me every year that they are too far apart.

MICHAEL & JACK

What is your relationship with the person who originally gave you your tomato seeds? What was involved in the exchange?

I can remember visiting Jack my Father in Law, and his perfectly neat veggie garden for the first time. He had a basket on the ground and was picking tomato varieties that I did not recognise. My family only grew the common varieties like Grosse Lisse and climbing cherry.

He showed me how to collect the seeds. I was amazed how easy it was. He would dry them on paper towels and would store them in a paper bags labelled and then stored in a cardboard shoe box.

When did the initial exchange take place?

It was 1979, the year I asked his daughter for her hand in marriage.

To the best of your knowledge what varieties of seeds are they?

Yes I remember them well as I still have the seeds. Black Cherry, Black Russian and Black Krim. There is a lot of history behind these Heirloom tomato’s.

What is it about those varieties that compels you to save them and plant year after year?

I love the colour, taste and they look great on a plate. People often comment on them

When do you start propagating your tomato seeds?

I collect them about half way through the growing season and then plant out them out when all frosts have gone. I like to stagger them and plant a third at a time.

What is your favourite method for propagation?

I like to place the seeds in quality soil in toilet rolls. I place all the rolls in a wooden box. I paint the sides of the box black to attract warmth from the sun. I position the box in a north facing position. If it looks like a cool night I cover the entire box with an old woollen blanket. 

To pinch or not to pinch?

I am a pincher from way back. I like to pinch from the bottom.

What is your favourite method for trellising?

I like a heavy square mesh trellis. It basically hangs on a wall. I can move it about when I rotate the crops.

GIOVANNI & GUISEPPE

What is your relationship with the person who originally gave you your tomato seeds? What was involved in the exchange? 

My dad Giuseppe originally gave me the seeds. They came through his network of friends. He has a group of friends that are always competing for the best tomato, and when someone produces a good crop, they do a seed exchange. 

When did the initial exchange take place? 

About 15 years ago when they moved into their current neighbourhood.

To the best of your knowledge what varieties of seeds are they? 

Black Russian.

What is it about those varieties that compels you to save them and plant year after year? 

They are a great eating tomato - sweet with low acid.

When do you start propagating your tomato seeds? 

Late August, but I plant them in intervals so the harvest is staggered.

What is your favourite method for propagation? 

Polystyrene boxes from the restaurant (Supermaxi) covered with glass make great lightweight and insulated mini greenhouses. Once the seedlings are at a good size I put them straight into the veggie patch. I don’t bother with hardening off or upsizing pots.

To pinch or not to pinch? 

I’m a pincher.

What is your favourite method for trellising? 

Individual stakes (7/8ft) buried in deep.