• Pack of Hillbilly Tomato Seed Pack de Graine de Tomate Hillbilly
  • Two Whole Hillbilly Tomato and one sliced Deux tomates Hillbilly entières et une en tranches
  • Hillbilly Tomato seeds, perfect for home gardeners Graines de Hillbilly Tomato, parfaites pour les jardiniers amateurs
  • High-quality Hillbilly Tomato seeds, for cultivation Graines de tomates Hillbilly de haute qualité, pour la culture
  • Hillbilly Tomato seeds, highlighting quality Graines de Hillbilly Tomato, mettant en avant la qualité
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JNB Seed

Hillbilly Tomato Seeds

Hillbilly Tomato Seeds

$4.50 CAD
$4.50 CAD
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Seed Count

Hillbilly Tomato, a cherished heirloom variety hailing from West Virginia, boasts remarkable characteristics that set it apart in the world of tomatoes. Its striking appearance, with vibrant marbling of yellow, pink, and red, adds a touch of uniqueness to any garden. Sporting hefty fruits weighing in at 454-907 grams each, this beefsteak-style tomato promises a delightful slicing experience, thanks to its dense texture, minimal seeds, and pleasantly sweet flavor profile. Notably, its low acidity further enhances its appeal, making it an ideal choice for those who savor the freshness of garden-to-table produce.

Originating from the heart of West Virginia, the Hillbilly tomato embodies the spirit of resilience and adaptability. Its indeterminate nature allows it to flourish in diverse environments, exhibiting commendable heat tolerance and crack resistance. As the vines stretch skyward, reaching heights of 152.4-305 centimeters, they bear testimony to the robustness of this cherished heirloom variety. Whether basking in the warmth of summer or facing the challenges of adverse weather conditions, the Hillbilly tomato stands tall, offering a bountiful harvest to gardeners yearning for quality produce.

With fruits that can tip the scales at a whopping 680.389 grams, the Hillbilly tomato is a heavyweight contender in the world of beefsteak tomatoes. Renowned for its suitability for slicing and fresh consumption, its multicolored flesh, adorned with hues of red, orange, and yellow, presents a visual feast. Despite its generous proportions, this tomato maintains a harmonious balance of flavors and textures, making it a sought-after favorite among gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike. To ensure optimal growth and support for its substantial fruits, staking is recommended, allowing the vines to thrive and produce abundantly.

Nurtured amidst the mountainous terrain of West Virginia, the origins of the multicolored Hillbilly tomato date back to a bygone era. Its journey to prominence took a significant step forward when Ohio gardener Jerry Lee Bosner introduced its seeds to the renowned Seed Savers Exchange for wider commercial adoption in 1994. Since then, its popularity has soared, captivating the hearts and palates of gardeners and tomato aficionados across the globe, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of heirloom varieties in preserving our agricultural heritage


How To Grow

Sowing: Begin sowing tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring. Plant the seeds in a flat, burying them 1 centimeter deep and spacing them 2.5 cm apart. Maintain a temperature of 21-24 degrees Celsius until germination, ensuring adequate light exposure either through a sunny window or under a grow light. Keep the soil consistently moist while ensuring proper drainage. Once the seedlings develop their second set of leaves, transplant them into individual pots, burying the stems up to the lowest set of leaves to promote robust root growth. Gradually expose the seedlings to outdoor conditions a week before transplanting to harden them off. Avoid transplanting until all risk of frost has passed and the soil temperature reaches at least 21 degrees Celsius. Plant the seedlings in full sun and nutrient-rich soil, burying the stem up to the lowest leaves.

Growing: Indeterminate tomato varieties benefit from trellises or support structures to protect them from pests and diseases associated with soil contact. Install supports before the vines develop fully and tie the vines to the support as they grow. Protect the plants from temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius, as cold temperatures can damage production. Apply a thick layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Water the plants weekly, avoiding wetting the leaves. Prune the suckers—shoots that grow between the main stem and branches—to enhance productivity and plant strength.

Harvesting

Determine tomato ripeness by gently pressing the flesh, which should yield slightly. The mature color of the tomatoes also indicates ripeness. Harvest ripe tomatoes by cutting the stem with scissors if it does not detach easily from the vine. For best flavor, allow tomatoes to ripen on the vine, but harvest all tomatoes before the onset of frost, even if they are green. Unripe tomatoes will ripen indoors if kept in a warm, sunny location away from direct sunlight.

Seed Saving

Cross-pollination is unlikely among most tomato varieties, eliminating the need for isolation. Collect fully ripe tomatoes and cut them horizontally, squeezing out the pulp into a container. Alternatively, blend smaller tomatoes to extract the seeds. Ferment the pulp for several days until a layer of mold forms to remove the gelatinous layer around the seeds. Strain and rinse the seeds under running water, then spread them to dry in a shaded area. Stir the seeds twice daily and use a fan to accelerate drying in humid conditions. Once completely dry, store the seeds in a cool, dry place for up to four years.

Extra Facts

Planting Methods: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost.
Blooming Season: Blooms from late spring to early fall.
Planting Season: Suitable for Solanum lycopersicum/USDA Zones 3-11.
Sunlight Required/ Height: Requires full sun; height ranges from 152.4-305 centimeters.
Shelf Life After Test Date: Shelf life of 2-3 years after the test date.
Seed Type: Open-pollinated heirloom seed type.
Soil Type: Adaptable to loam, clay, or sandy soil types.

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