What is an heirloom tomato? These tomatoes are often the most anticipated of tomato varieties grown in home gardens each summer. But how do they get the name heirloom, you might ask? Heirloom tomatoes have been passed down from generation to generation. But unlike antique cars, it's not necessary for cultivars to have been grown 100, 50, or even 25 years ago to earn an heirloom designation. Instead, all heirlooms are open-pollinated cultivars, not hybrids. This means the seed can be saved and replanted each year. In fact, this is how heirloom tomatoes are kept in production. Noted for Taste. Heirloom tomatoes are known to be some of the best tasting tomatoes. That is why they are so highly anticipated each summer. These tomatoes were bred for taste, not for long-distance transport. So, many are quite fragile once ripe. But heirlooms are not only tasty, they are beautiful as well. Heirlooms come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Ripe fruit can be pink, red, yellow, orange, purple, green, or combinations of colors. Heirloom tomatoes should be available in grocery stores and farmer's markets in August and September. Try several different cultivars, maybe you will find one or two that you want to grow in your garden next year. Then you will become one of the many gardeners that prefer these flavorful reminders of the past.  Some popular Heirloom Tomato Cultivars

Green zebra heirloom tomato (immature fruit). Photo by Cindy Haynes