Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Prosperity is an old-fashioned tomato producing clusters of smooth red fruits approximately 60–80 mm across. The medium-sized tomatoes are a practical all-purpose type, well suited to slicing, salads, sandwiches and everyday cooking.

A variety with a long history in Australian gardens, Prosperity was listed in the 1956 Yates Garden Guide. Its survival from the mid-twentieth-century home garden era makes it an interesting piece of Australian horticultural history as well as a useful productive tomato.

Plants have a determinate bush habit, producing their crop on relatively compact plants rather than long climbing vines. They require less training than indeterminate tomatoes, although staking or caging can help support the clustered fruits as they develop.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 30 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Plants are compact and generally require less training than climbing varieties, although staking or caging can help support a heavy crop. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Ram's Horn is an unusual heirloom tomato producing medium to large, elongated fruits with a distinctive curved, horn-like shape. The fruits ripen to a rich red, with fleshy interiors and good traditional tomato flavour.

A versatile kitchen tomato, Ram's Horn is excellent sliced into salads and fresh dishes, while its fleshy texture also lends itself well to sauces, cooking and preserving. The unusual shape makes it an interesting addition to a mixed heirloom tomato harvest.

Plants are vigorous and indeterminate, with good adaptability across a range of growing conditions and useful disease resistance. A productive variety, it can deliver heavy yields over an extended season and benefits from sturdy staking or trellising.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 40 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and provide sturdy staking or trellising for the climbing vines. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety

Not available for WA

Solanum lycopersicum

Red Boar is a striking heirloom-style tomato producing medium-sized, slightly flattened fruits with deep red skin streaked and striped with metallic gold. The colourful exterior gives way to firm yet juicy flesh with a rich, sweet and well-balanced tomato flavour.

Developed by American tomato breeder Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms in California, Red Boar is part of a collection selected for unusual colouring as well as excellent flavour. The attractive fruits are particularly good for fresh eating and salads, but their firm flesh also holds up well when sliced or roasted.

Plants are vigorous and indeterminate, continuing to flower and set fruit throughout the season. Productive vines benefit from sturdy staking or trellising to support the developing crop.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 40 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and provide sturdy staking or trellising for the climbing vines. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Red Cloud is a productive tomato producing medium-sized, rich red fruits with a slightly pointed shape. The fruits have a firm, juicy texture and classic tomato flavour, making them a useful all-purpose variety for fresh eating, salads, sandwiches and cooking.

Particularly well suited to warm and hot growing areas, Red Cloud continues to perform reliably when temperatures rise. Its combination of heat suitability and heavy cropping makes it a practical choice for subtropical and warmer Australian gardens.

Plants are vigorous and indeterminate, continuing to flower and set fruit over an extended season. The heavy-yielding vines benefit from sturdy staking or trellising to support the developing crop.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram.

Approximately 25 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and provide sturdy staking or trellising for the climbing vines. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Maturity: approximately 83–90 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Red Colossus is an early-maturing tomato producing elongated red fruits to approximately 75 mm long. The fruits are firm and fleshy with a good traditional tomato flavour, making them useful for fresh eating, slicing, salads and cooking.

Noted for its tolerance of cooler conditions, Red Colossus is a useful choice for gardeners in areas with shorter or less reliably warm tomato seasons. Its early maturity allows fruit to develop and ripen sooner than many larger-fruited varieties.

Plants have a determinate bush habit and produce heavy crops on relatively compact plants. They require less training than climbing tomatoes, although staking or caging is worthwhile to support the weight of the developing fruit.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 25 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Plants are compact and generally require less training than climbing varieties, although staking or caging can help support the heavy crop. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Red Currant produces masses of tiny, bright red tomatoes carried in small trusses. Smaller than most cherry tomatoes, the fruits have a lively, sweet tomato flavour and are excellent eaten straight from the vine.

The tiny fruits are ideal for snacking, salads, garnishes and platters, where their miniature size makes them particularly attractive. Currant-type tomatoes are closely associated with wild tomato ancestry from South America and retain the vigorous growth and abundant fruiting typical of their wild relatives.

Plants are hardy and indeterminate, developing vigorous, branching vines that continue flowering and fruiting over a long season. Provide staking or trellising to support the sprawling growth and make harvesting the numerous small fruits easier.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 40 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and provide sturdy staking or trellising for the vigorous climbing vines. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Red Fig is a prolific heirloom tomato producing small, round red fruits to approximately 40 mm across. The fruits have a delicious, sweet tomato flavour and are produced in remarkable abundance, with vigorous plants capable of yielding hundreds of fruits over the season.

The small fruits are excellent fresh in salads and are also particularly suited to chutneys, preserves and drying. Traditionally, the dried fruits were used as a substitute for dried figs, which gave the variety its unusual name.

Known in the USA since the 1700s, Red Fig is an exceptionally old tomato variety with a long history in American kitchen gardens. Plants are vigorous and indeterminate, continuing to flower and fruit over an extended season and benefiting from sturdy staking or trellising.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 40 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and provide sturdy staking or trellising for the vigorous climbing vines. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Not available for WA. Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Red Pear is a charming heirloom tomato producing attractive clusters of seven to nine small, pear-shaped fruit measuring 25–40 mm long. The bright red tomatoes have a sweet, mild flavour and are perfect for snacking, salads, lunchboxes and entertaining. Vigorous indeterminate plants produce heavily over a long season and are well suited to home gardens and kitchen gardens alike.

Approximately 250–350 seeds per gram
Approximately 40 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to July (dry season)
Subtropics: August to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to November after frost

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 5 mm deep in seed trays or pots and keep warm until germination. Transplant seedlings into a sunny, frost-free position once well established, spacing plants 60–90 cm apart. As an indeterminate variety, Red Pear benefits from staking, caging or trellising for support. Water consistently and feed regularly throughout the growing season. Harvest the sweet fruit as it ripens for continual production.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Riesentraube is a prolific German heirloom producing impressive bunches of 20–40 small red tomatoes, each approximately 30–35 mm across. The fruits have a rich, full tomato flavour often compared with the depth and sweetness of an oxheart, despite their much smaller size.

Its German name translates as “giant bunch of grapes”, an apt description of the large, heavily laden clusters. Known since at least 1856, Riesentraube has remained a popular heirloom for its combination of excellent flavour, unusual trusses and abundant production.

Plants are vigorous and indeterminate, continuing to produce clusters throughout the season. The fruits are excellent for snacking, salads, roasting and preserving, while sturdy staking or trellising helps support the weight of the heavily laden vines.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 40 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and provide sturdy staking or trellising for the vigorous climbing vines and heavy trusses. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Maturity: approximately 75–85 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Riesetomate, also known as Traveler or Reisetomate, is one of the more unusual heirloom tomatoes, producing bright red fruits formed from a cluster of deeply divided, fused lobes. Rather than slicing the whole tomato, individual sections can be pulled away as needed, giving the fruit its distinctive knobbly appearance.

The name Reisetomate translates from German as “traveller tomato”, referring to the story that travellers could carry the fruit and break off individual lobes along the way without cutting into the remainder. The juicy red flesh has a pronounced acidic tang and strong, traditional tomato flavour.

An heirloom associated with Central America, this vigorous indeterminate variety is as much a conversation piece as a useful eating tomato. Plants continue producing throughout the season and benefit from sturdy staking or trellising.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 40 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and provide sturdy staking or trellising for the climbing vines. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Roma is a popular heirloom plum tomato producing smooth, bright red, oval-shaped fruit typically measuring up to 45 × 90 mm. With firm, meaty flesh and few seeds, it is an excellent choice for bottling, sauces, pastes, soups, roasting and drying. The compact, highly productive plants are well suited to home gardens and are noted for their tolerance to verticillium and fusarium wilts. A dependable variety that delivers generous harvests of quality fruit.

Approximately 250–350 seeds per gram
Approximately 50 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to July (dry season)
Subtropics: August to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to November after frost

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 5 mm deep in seed trays or pots and keep warm until germination. Transplant seedlings into a sunny, frost-free position once well established, spacing plants 50–70 cm apart. Plants are generally compact but will benefit from staking or caging to support heavy crops and keep fruit clean. Water consistently and feed regularly throughout the growing season. Harvest ripe fruit approximately 75–78 days from sowing.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Roma is a popular heirloom plum tomato producing smooth, bright red, oval-shaped fruit typically measuring up to 45 × 90 mm. With firm, meaty flesh and few seeds, it is an excellent choice for bottling, sauces, pastes, soups, roasting and drying. The compact, highly productive plants are well suited to home gardens and are noted for their tolerance to verticillium and fusarium wilts. A dependable variety that delivers generous harvests of quality fruit.

Approximately 250–350 seeds per gram
Approximately 50 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to July (dry season)
Subtropics: August to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to November after frost

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 5 mm deep in seed trays or pots and keep warm until germination. Transplant seedlings into a sunny, frost-free position once well established, spacing plants 50–70 cm apart. Plants are generally compact but will benefit from staking or caging to support heavy crops and keep fruit clean. Water consistently and feed regularly throughout the growing season. Harvest ripe fruit approximately 75–78 days from sowing.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Romano Burghanese is a thick-fleshed tomato particularly suited to drying and preserving. Its dense, meaty flesh contains less excess moisture than many fresh-eating tomatoes, allowing the flavour to concentrate beautifully when dried. It is also useful for sauces, passata, roasting and general cooking.

The variety was one of the tomatoes introduced to Australian gardeners by Don Burke and earned a place among those that passed his well-known taste testing. Its combination of flavour and useful preserving qualities makes it a practical addition to the productive kitchen garden.

Plants have a determinate bush habit, producing their crop on relatively compact plants. They require less training than climbing tomatoes, although staking or caging can help support the developing crop.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 40 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Plants are compact and generally require less training than climbing varieties, although staking or caging can help support a heavy crop. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Solanum lycopersicum

Rumsey's Cross is a vigorous, high-yielding tomato producing large, flattened red fruits to approximately 10 cm across. The juicy, fleshy tomatoes have an excellent sweet flavour and are equally at home in the kitchen or eaten straight from the garden.

A particularly versatile variety, the substantial fruits are excellent fresh in salads, sandwiches and on platters. Their combination of flavour and fleshy texture also makes them well suited to bottling, cooking, sauces, pastes and other preserves.

Plants have a determinate bush habit, producing generous yields on relatively compact plants. They require less training than climbing tomatoes, although staking or caging is recommended to support the weight of the large developing fruits.

Seed count: approximately 250–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 40 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: February–August
Subtropics: August–April
Mild climates: August–December
Cold climates: September–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5 mm deep into seed-raising mix or directly where conditions are warm. In cooler climates, seed can be started indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting after the last frost. Best soil temperature for germination is approximately 16–35°C.

Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart with 60–150 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Plants are compact and generally require less training than climbing varieties, although staking or caging can help support the heavy crop. Water at soil level where possible and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Maturity: approximately 70–80 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.