Growing tomatoes in your own garden has a very long tradition. You can harvest your own fruit outdoors, in the greenhouse or on the balcony and terrace. If you value an aromatic variety, you have a wide range of tomato seeds to choose from. Put this into the ground in spring. Some cultures can be harvested all year round and have a very good and aromatic taste.
Old tomato varieties
Old tomato varieties are no longer commercially available
There are many different reasons why you can no longer find various older varieties in the register. Compared to new and very modern tomato varieties, the older seeds have disadvantages that you should know before you decide to grow them. However, it can also be observed that some of the older tomato varieties have made it back into the variety register after a few years. Once you've decided on a seed, it's a good idea to first look in the variety register. Perhaps your favorite older strain has managed a revival.
Tomato plant with fruits
Good to know:
Not all of the old tomato varieties have disappeared from the variety register forever. Some are reinstated after several years have elapsed.
High quality variety
Requirements for a high-quality tomato variety
The requirements for a good and recommendable tomato variety are defined quite uniformly. They also form the basis for inclusion in the variety register. The most important characteristics of varieties include the following.
- weight of each fruit
- ripping of the fruit
- Ability to train a green collar
- resistances
Tomato varieties that do not meet these requirements because they are not resistant or because they are too small may not be included in the variety register under the respective trade name. However, if it is an aromatic and highly recommended tomato variety that was very popular in the past, it is often in demand. You can now purchase such varieties from a private source. Not all traders shy away from registering using the simplified procedure, so it can be expected that older tomato varieties will become more widespread again.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros and cons of old tomato varieties
The advantage of the older tomato plants is clearly their special taste. Maybe you know the tomatoes from the past or you bought the corresponding variety from a private farmer or gardener and now you want to grow them yourself in your own garden. Many of the fruits that come from older tomato plants are particularly firm. They are not only suitable for direct consumption after harvesting, but can also be processed very well in the kitchen. In addition, one or the other variety is particularly resistant to cold and high humidity. This makes rearing easier.
Tomato varieties, ox heart tomato
Resistant Varieties
Raise resistant tomato plants outdoors
In addition, these tomato plants can be planted outdoors in spring without hesitation. Other plants need a greenhouse to grow, which is not possible in every garden. Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages, which is one of the reasons that the variety in question was removed from the variety register. These disadvantages include those listed below.
- no use for the intended purpose
- Size does not match specifications
- Shell is too soft
- There is no resistance
- Green collars cannot be trained or not sufficiently trained
For many growers, these criteria are not a reason not to grow the tomato variety. You like the flavor or decide to use something other than the intended purpose. In addition, many of the old tomato varieties have a very long tradition. This is one of the reasons why this so-called "forbidden vegetable" is always a topic of discussion. Many of the varieties have sold very well for years or decades and were then removed from the variety register due to new regulations. The lack of understanding among breeders, but also among private gardeners, means that many of the old tomato varieties are still available today.
tomato seeds
Popular tomato varieties
Checking out popular old tomato varieties
Before you decide on one of the old varieties of tomatoes, it is worth knowing the differences and delving into the characteristics. This is especially important if you're new to it and have specific requirements for the fruit that grows on the plants. These types of plants and fruits are distinguished as follows.
beefsteak tomatoes
These varieties are characterized by a large fruit. This contains a lot of flesh, is round and has a slightly ribbed surface. The taste is very balanced between sweet and sour.
harvested tomatoes
stick tomatoes
This classic tomato plant grows very tall. She should be supported with a staff. Hence the name. They are characterized by strong, almost unlimited growth.
plum tomatoes/romato tomatoes
As the name suggests, these tomato varieties have an oval, somewhat asymmetrical shape. They are characterized by a very intense taste and are darker on the inside than on the outside.
Tomato varieties, plum tomatoes
wild tomatoes
These tomatoes are very aromatic. They can be grown not only in the garden, but also on a balcony or terrace in a bucket.
Cocktail tomatoes/cherry tomatoes
These tomato varieties are small, round and very sweet. They are good for snacking on or to garnish dishes, salads or cold dishes.
Tomato varieties, cocktail tomatoes
Good to know:
Many of these species fall within the range of ancient tomato varieties. For you, this means that you have to look for alternative sources of supply if you want to plant one of these species in your garden or on the balcony and terrace.
20 recommended tomato varieties
20 recommended old tomato varieties
With many breeders devoting themselves to the ancient tomato varieties, to this day you still have plenty of choice when deciding to breed. You may be familiar with some of the strains from the past, or you may have heard of them and would like to try breeding them. Sometimes some of the species have already been reinstated in the variety register. The special taste, small adjustments in breeding or the fact that the species are particularly resistant are often reasons for the species to be included in the variety register again. Otherwise look around for alternative private sources of supply. The tomato varieties described below are particularly popular.
very best
This tomato variety stands out because it grows a deep red on the bush. It has a very sweet taste and a slight heart shape. The skin is firm, the flesh is full and very tasty. You can't see any ripping. Go for this strain if you like flavor and value a bountiful yield.
Apollo 2
Buy this tomato seed if you value particularly fast fruit ripening. The perennials are easy to care for, the fruits are classic red and round. The tomato tastes delicious, but can also be used in the kitchen.
Auriga
This tomato variety has bright orange flesh and a sweet and tangy aroma. The fruits are very juicy and weigh up to 100 g. They can be eaten raw or used very well in the preparation of dishes in the kitchen. The seed originally comes from the GDR. The tomato seed is very suitable for beginners. The plants grow fast and bring rich yields.
Grow your own tomatoes in the garden
Better
This tomato variety is characterized by its very high resistance and can be planted outdoors very early in the year. The fruits are the size of a cherry and weigh between 10 and 50 g. They are suitable for snacking or for use as a party tomato. The quite old red is high-yielding and was bred in Freiburg as early as the 18th century.
Bye's harvest blessing
This tomato seed produces a red and aromatic fruit. It has a round shape and a juicy taste. The tomato is soft but has a rather firm skin. The fruits are 50 to 200 g heavy. They can be offered freshly harvested or processed in the kitchen. The variety has no ribbing and comes from Magdeburg. In keeping, she is undemanding. It can be cultivated in large pots but also outdoors.
Blonde Sarah
This yellow tomato variety has a rather flat shape and a firm skin. Inside it is fleshy. The fruits weigh about 200 g, sometimes they are heavier. You can eat this tomato fresh or use it in a variety of ways in the kitchen. It is slightly ribbed and was first cultivated around Freiburg.
German diligence
If you decide to buy this seed, you will get a red, round, very mild and juicy soft tomato with a rather firm skin. The fruits weigh 10 to 50 g and are rather small compared to other varieties. They have no ribbing and a smooth fruit tip. Here, too, you do not need to observe any special features when cultivating.
Elbe
You choose a tomato variety that was already cultivated in 1889. The fruits have a weight of 50 to 200 g. Accordingly, this tomato is very versatile. The small fruits are suitable as party tomatoes, the large ones for classic use. The color of this variety is orange, sometimes golden yellow. The tomato is fleshy, has a sunken fruit tip and is heavily ribbed. It is also easy to cultivate.
Yellow Date Vine Tomato
As the name suggests, this is a yellow variety that is very sweet and aromatic. It is well suited for direct consumption after harvest. The shape is oval, elongated to pear-shaped, the skin is rather soft. The plant brings a rich yield and can also be cultivated on the balcony or terrace. The fear has no ribbing and a slight fruit tip.
Tomato plant in the garden
Golden Queen
The fruit of this tomato variety is yellow, round, sweet and very aromatic. The flesh and skin are rather soft, the fruit weighs 50 to 200 g. The fruit has no ribbing, a smooth fruit tip. The plant is very productive and is also a good choice for planting in containers.
German lunch box
You can harvest small party tomatoes on this plant that weigh between 10 and 50 g. The smooth fruit tip and the lack of ribbing characterize this tomato. The color is pink to light red and the fruit is very sweet. The inner flesh is soft and hidden under a firm shell. The fruits are oval. The plant can also be cultivated very well on the balcony or terrace.
Striped from Germany:
Here the name reveals that it is a multicolored fruit that is full of flesh and very heavily ribbed. You can see a deepened fruit tip. The fruits weigh more than 200 g and are quite large. It is best to put the plants in the garden, because this variety is not so well suited for the terrace.
Landshut Giant
This large and fleshy fruit is pink or light red. You harvest a very aromatic tomato that has many uses in the kitchen. The fruit is heart-shaped and fleshy, the skin is soft. The fruit has a slight point. These large varieties are more suitable for a border in the garden than for cultivation on the patio.
Maltitz brown
This particular tomato is brown or black in colour. It tastes very mild and has a firm skin with a clearly deepened fruit tip. The fruit is heavily ribbed. You can harvest small fruits, weighing around 50g, or large ones with full flesh, weighing up to 200g. Originally it is a variety from Maltitz.
Matina
Opt for this deep red and very mild variety with soft flesh and skin. This tomato variety is perfect for growing outdoors or for growing in the garden. It is a salad tomato that is processed rather than eaten fresh due to its soft skin. The fruits weigh between 50 and 200 g. The tomato seed was also sold under the Tamina name.
Tomato plant with ripening fruits in the garden
Quedlinburg Early Love
You choose a small and flavorful tomato, which you can get from a variety of sources. The weight of the fruit is 60 g. Thus, this tomato belongs to the smaller varieties. The color is red, the inside fleshy. After harvesting, you can eat the fruit fresh or process it.
Red Riding Hood
This tomato variety was first bred in Quedlinburg. It is red, round, very slightly ribbed and has a smooth fruit tip. The fruits are 50 to 200 g heavy. The seed is very robust and can also be cultivated on the terrace or balcony.
Schellenberg's favorite
The fruits of this tomato plant are yellow or orange. They can be round, fleshy and heavily ribbed. Another feature is the deepened fruit tip. The fruits weigh 50 to 200 g.
Schunter's Obate
This tomato variety is orange and has the shape of a cylinder. It tastes pleasantly mild and has a very soft flesh. The plant bears abundantly and produces small and larger fruits weighing up to 200 g. Thanks to the soft skin, the variety is well suited as a salad tomato. The fruit is slightly ribbed and has a pronounced tip.
White beauty
This tomato variety is almost white. It tastes mild, but still slightly sour and very fleshy. It is very suitable for outdoor cultivation.