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The world of hand-me-down seeds, also known as heirlooms.
Howdy, Folks! And welcome! Ya’ll come on up the steps, pick your sittin’ spot and share this front porch with me! My name is Horseshoe, but you can call me Shoe. (Yeah, I know, I know, what mother would name her child “Horseshoe”? Welp, perhaps that answer is for another time, eh?)
As for right now, I have something special I’d like to share with you so please feel free to move in a little closer; you just might want to hang on to every word. My goal is to give you some great information on something that has gone on for many generations. My hope is that by sharing the following information you, too, will share it with others as well as share the, the,…well, we’ll get on to that next part in a minute.
Being new to vegetable gardening can be exciting, daunting, puzzling, and even frustrating at times. However, more often than not, it will be extremely fulfilling in quite a few areas. One of those areas might be the enjoyment of growing particular strains and varieties of vegetables that were handed down from family to family for generations. The enjoyment will come in the form of growing and eating a food that was grown and loved by others many years ago and also knowing that YOU might be involved in helping to keep that vegetable, fruit, or flower available to others for many more generations to come.
When I first started growing and collecting heirloom vegetables we referred to them as “family seeds” or “pass-alongs”. Nowadays the term “heirloom” seems to be the word most commonly agreed upon.
You might be wondering what varieties of heirloom vegetables you can choose from. Well, neighbor, trust me because in the world of heirlooms there is no need to fear being on short supply with choices. With names ranging from “Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter” (one of my most popular tomatoes with customers at the Farmers’ Markets) to “Abraham Lincoln”, “Poppy’s Plum” or “Granny Cantrell’s German” you’ll soon find that the stories behind them will provide you with good conversation to go along with the delicious food in front of you. However, this article is not necessarily about tomatoes so I see the need to throw in a few other names.
“Aconcagua”? (What the heck is that?) “Trombocino”? (Is that some heirloom musical instrument?) “Chinese Giant”? (This is beginning to sound a bit scary, eh?) Welp, take your shoes off, relax, sit back and let me tell ya something.
For years one of my most favored heirloom tomatoes I’ve grown and offered at the Farmers’ Markets has been known by the unusual name of “Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter” (RCML). Although there are several tomato varieties with the “mortgage lifter” name attached to them I’ve only grown Radiator Charlie’s over the years, so far anyway! The origin of RCML dates back to around the 1940’s when Charlie Byles of Logan, West Virginia, a radiator/auto mechanic, crossed four varieties of tomatoes and came up with a tomato that was so well-liked people came from miles around to buy plants for $1.00 each. In six years he made enough money selling the plants he was able to pay off his mortgage, hence the name! The tomato is pinkish-red, fairly low acid content, and a great slicer, often weighing around a pound. (See Note 1 below for picture/information.)
Another favorite tomato, Abraham Lincoln, dates back a bit further to 1923. An excellent slicer with wonderful disease tolerance. I hope to have it growing in my garden for as many years as I have taste buds (or have friends who do!). The meat to juice ratio is perfect! Slicing into it your eyes will witness a meaty fruit with just enough juice to transport its flavor to your tongue. From that point on you’ll discover a taste that is slightly acidic yet complemented with just enough sugar so as to not offend those of us with sensitive stomachs! An exceptional delight in the garden as well as on your plate! A friend of mine insists this tomato is “a little bit of heaven on a hot day”! By the way, “Abe” (like RCML mentioned above) produces fruit all summer long!
If you’re going to grow tomatoes in your garden you might as well grow some peppers also! The first that comes to mind is Aconcagua, named after the mountain range in South America. This sweet pepper is of the elongated variety growing approximately 11 inches long and 2-3 inches wide! It’s fantastic for eating fresh in salads or for grilling (I recommend an olive oil and garlic baste!) as well as for stuffing! Yummy!
Should you prefer a more blocky-shaped pepper then please give Chinese Giant a try. Dating back to 1900 these peppers are huge, thick-walled, and so tasty I eat them like apples! Their size is 6 inches long by 4 and a half inches across. You’re gonna love ‘em!
Hmmm, and the afore-mentioned “Trombocino”? I can easily describe it in one word, “Zowie!!” but I reckon I better be a bit more descriptive, eh?
Trombocino (also known as Tromboncino and Rampicante) is a delicious and fun to grow Italian heirloom! This squash/gourd (considered a gourd in some countries but in the USA more often referred to as a squash) can grow sprawling on the ground or trained onto a trellis. The vines can get very long and it needs a bit of room to grow. When left to sprawl the squash grows in a circular fashion; if trellised they will grow straighter and can easily resemble a baseball bat! A beautiful plant that produces a vegetable up to 3 feet or more in length. When picked at the 10 inch stage it can be eaten raw as is (or dipped into Ranch dressing), in salads, or lightly steamed. Picked when larger I prefer to cut them up and boil (with onions and tomatoes), or steam, saute’ or grill them. (They’re great added to veggie-ka-bobs!) It can also be baked. I’ve harvested the end-of-season squash and stored them until February and they were still delicious!
The picture below (left side) shows a ten-inch trombocino ready to eat! On the right, one that is approximately 24 inches, still tender and delicious!
And now, Folks, what was I referring to in the second paragraph regarding sharing? The most wonderful thing about growing heirlooms is that you can not only share your harvest but yet also save and share the seeds. This will allow you to have an ongoing “seed larder” for seasons to come. Some of your saved seeds can be passed on to friends and families like the many generations before us have done. By doing so you’ll play an integral role in the preservation of varieties of vegetables that could’ve easily been lost and unavailable to future generations.
And remember, this porch has no door so ya’ll come on back! See ya soon!
Friend Shoe
(Note 1: More information, pictures, and seed sources for all plants mentioned in this article are listed at http://davesgarden.com/pf
{Note2: Open-pollinated heirloom seeds will come back “true” to type. This means the seed will produce the same fruit as from the previous year, barring no cross-pollination. Hybrid seed, which is what many of todays vegetable seeds are, will not come back true to type and are often sterile. Saving seed from hybrids is not recommended.)
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About Horseshoe Griffin
R.H. “Horseshoe” Griffin grew up in the mountains of North Carolina under the guidance, mores and morals of his Grandparents. Part of that guidance was the early introduction to “diggin’ in the dirt” helping out in the family gardens. He states, “We were growing organic way back then but just didn’t know that was what it was called.”
Nowadays he is not only an organic produce farmer but also operates a 1500 square foot greenhouse growing herbs, shrubs, perennials, and fruit trees, as well as heirloom plants. In addition to life on the farm “Shoe” is also a has-been musician, a well-known story-teller and a writer of “whatever comes to mind” (most often tall tales, gardening information, and family-oriented musings).
Horseshoe lives on MoonDance Farm, located on the outskirts of beautiful historic Hillsboro, NC, with his exceptionally wonderful and giving wife, Alexandra, and their fantastic daughter, Alex. (Oh yeah, and don’t forget the menagerie of chickens, two dogs, Hazel and RosieJane, a gander named Alice, a peacock, and his favorite pet earthworm named Wiggly-Giggly who is always so happy he seems to smile at both ends!)
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on April 6, 2008 at 12:27 AM:
I see I am in very good company, Shoe.....Now why didn't I know about this article earlier, and why can't I find more that you have written?
Loved the information, by the way. It's never too late to learn, even if I am reading this article a year later. So.. I am adding heirloom tomatoes to my list this year, maybe Mel will help me get started.
Thank you!
sharon
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on April 6, 2008 at 2:08 AM:
Heheheh...talk about "resurrecting the dead"! Yes, this is/was an older article, eh?
(It was written for the purpose of kicking off Gardens.com; sorry, haven't taken time to write more.)
Glad to hear you are gonna try some heirlooms. No doubt about it Melody will get you started but please feel free to holler if you need something she may not have!
Best,
Shoe
...
Subject: Importance of Heirlooms
Posted by jkehl (from Rome, GA) on February 9, 2007 at 10:09 PM:
Hi Shoe,
Mostly just wanted to let you know that I had read and enjoyed your article. But also, I have been looking around DG for some more information about Heirlooms versus Hybrids because I have been teased recently for using Hybrids. And I wanted to let you know that one of the themes that really came through to me in your article was your custodial attitude towards maintaining the BEST cultivars and passing them on to other folks.
I applaud you for doing that and hope that I will be able to do something similar when I'm a bit more skilled in my growing techniques. I'll get the bees in line and stop growing every seed packet I see in front of me soon but until then please know that your posts are very appreciated!
Jeff
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on February 9, 2007 at 11:39 PM:
A bigtime THANK YOU, Jeff! I always like hearing positive words and talk about future gardening! You just covered both of those topics! Thanks!
Regarding Hybrids vs Heirlooms, don't let the teasing bother you. Although my preference is to grow out heirloom/open-pollinated varieties I also am open to a few hybrids. As a matter of fact one of the best-tasting tomatoes I've grown in the past 20 years was a hybrid called Johnny's 361 (get a load of that, eh? Didn't even have a real name, just a number!). Unfortunately it is no longer available on the market. Ah, yes, another reason to grow OP varieties, eh...so we can save the seeds and help keep them available.
I would recommend you grow both hybrid and heirlooms. That way you can be more familiar with both areas and have a better grasp of what is involved. And, of course, I'm going to encourage you to go heavy on the heirlooms! (Last year I didn't grow any hybrid tomatoes but the year before grew one variety, just to see it in action!) (I also prefer a hybrid corn, called Kandy Korn, very sweet!) As for most everything else I prefer the heirloom/OP varieties I am either familiar with or ones that I'm growing out for seed banks/friends.
As for encouraging you to save the best "cultivars" (don't get me started on the term 'cultivar' as it has many meanings) I think that will be an individual preference. Some folks will continue a variety because of its taste, others because of its growth habit, still others because of its earliness or its disease tolerance. The best part is all those decisions are totally up to you, the grower.
And yes, passing them on to others is a biggy, too. I'm very happy to hear you have that as part of your goal! Thanks!!
You strike me as one who is very interested in your gardening and growing. I love that! I think you'll do great! And if I ever come down your way I hope we get a few minutes to chat in person. Please feel free to holler, anytime.
Again, many thanks!
Happy Growing! Happy Gardening!
Shoe
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Subject: Hey Shoe, Stan says
Posted by Kathleen (from Panama, NY) on February 3, 2007 at 11:26 AM:
That he's impressed with how you stayed on topic, but he missed the wandering around!
Good job. Hmm, want to talk about some seed trades?
k.
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on February 6, 2007 at 12:39 PM:
Hah! Does my reputation for going off topic precede me or sumpin'!? :>)
Thanks for the compliment, Stan! Maybe I can wander (aimlessly?) around some more in the future! If so I'll be sure to let you know!
Ya'll stay warm up there! Cold as cubes up your way from what I hear!
Shoe.
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Subject: Mighty Fine
Posted by tcfromky (from Mercer, PA) on January 29, 2007 at 7:36 PM:
Great article Shoe! Told in a most amusing and entertaining way, as only you can. ;~)
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on January 29, 2007 at 10:35 PM:
Thanks so much, TC.
As you know, I'm more of a 'story teller' so writing this article was a bit of an "entertaining challenge" for me. I really enjoyed it and surprised myself how much more easily the words came out the ends of my fingers than I had previously imagined.
Will be reading and watching for more of your articles, too! Looking forward to them!
Shoe
...
Posted by tcfromky (from Mercer, PA) on January 31, 2007 at 9:52 PM:
I knew you'd get right back into the thick of things once you started writing again. I'm so glad you did.
...
Subject: Shoe's Article
Posted by billyporter (from Nichols, IA) on January 29, 2007 at 6:20 PM:
This was the perfect opening story. Growing as our grandparents did out of necessity and something we should all try at least once. I grow the Abe Lincolns, but didn't save seed. Due to the lack of windows, I'm getting a lighted plant stand in March, built by my DH because they are too expensive otherwise. I'll be able to start a lot of plants now! Thanks to Dave, all my new friends have inspired me to do a lot more than I was doing on my own.
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on January 29, 2007 at 10:38 PM:
Congrats on the new lighted plant stand, billyporter! You'll go hog wild now, eh!?
There was a link a while back on Daves Garden about how to build a home-made "heat mat". I'll try to find a link to it and post here (you can have hubby make that, too!) *grin
Happy Growing! Happy Gardening!
Shoe
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Posted by billyporter (from Nichols, IA) on January 29, 2007 at 10:40 PM:
Thanks! That sounds interesting. Happy Belated Birthday!
...
Subject: About those Abraham Lincolns....
Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on January 29, 2007 at 5:42 PM:
We've always grown the Mortgage Lifters, but haven't tried the AL's. Are they more of a Southern grower or do you think they'll be okay here in zone 6a?
On a side note, so happy to see you writing here :)
Dea
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Posted by tcfromky (from Mercer, PA) on January 29, 2007 at 7:39 PM:
Dea, I plan on tryin the ALs here in my zone 5 (or is it 6 now?) garden this year.
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on January 29, 2007 at 10:31 PM:
Howdy Dea and TC...
Dea, Abe Lincolns were first introduced in Illinois (a zone quite a bit different than where I am!) and I'm sure they'll do both you and TC justice.
I've seen blurbs stating that DTM are 70-80 days but I've pulled them as early as 62 days from date of setting them out. (And remember, "days to maturity" (DTM) are contingent on temperatures/weather fluctuations, nutrition, micro-climates, etc.)
I hope you give them a try! They're a favorite of mine!
Shoe.
TC...it seems we all "zone out" sometimes, eh? And now the weather is doing it to us, too!
...
Posted by mystic (from Ewing, KY) on January 29, 2007 at 10:57 PM:
Dea,I have grown Abe's here the last 2 or 3 years thanks to shoe. I'm the same zone as you so they should do great. I've always been really pleased with it and I sold out at the Farmers Market with plants this year. Nobody really knew what it was but wanted to give it a try. Everybody has already asked me if I will have it next year they want it. Give it try I think you will be happy with it.
Shoe great article. I expected nothing less. I look forward to more. Reading your stories are articles are always fun you don't realize you are learning something as well as getting a smile on your face along the way.
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on January 29, 2007 at 11:39 PM:
Aw shucks, Mystic...(he says, blushing, looking down, and kicking an imaginary rock to the side...).
Shoe
...
Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on January 30, 2007 at 5:14 AM:
Thanks folks, we'll definately be seeking out some AL's then from Bakers. If Peggy's did well and TC's gonna give 'em a whirl, then ours should do just fine here!
Oh, on the Mortgage Lifters - 2 years ago I brought in seeds for the whole office and we had a mater germinating and growing contest. You should have seen it! About 20+ people some who'd never grown anything from seed. I brought in pots and potting soil; some made little greenhouses with cellophane on their desks - it's really something to see when people finally get the bug :)
...
Posted by Gustichock (from Tandil
(Argentina)) on February 13, 2007 at 10:17 PM:
Great article Horseshoe! By the way, your name in Spanish would be "herradura". It doesn't sound like yours, doesn't it?
I would like to start my own veggie garden but I'm afraid it's too late for this season (mid summer already). What do you recomend me? Are tomatoes easy to grow?
I've sown some parsley and basil and they are doing quite well.
Let me know, mister!
Take care!
Gus.
...
Posted by Gustichock (from Tandil
(Argentina)) on February 13, 2007 at 10:18 PM:
Oh, if you want to know, "herra" comes from "hierro", meaning iron.
...
Posted by Gustichock (from Tandil
(Argentina)) on February 13, 2007 at 10:19 PM:
But your name woul literally be "zapato de caballo".
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on February 13, 2007 at 10:51 PM:
Howdy, Gus! Thanks for posting! And thanks for your compliment.
As for my name, THANKS for the interpretation as well! I can add those to my list of names people have called me (most of them very nice names, too!). :>)
As for growing your veggie garden, I'm not familiar with how long your growing season is. If you have basil growing though then you have the proper climate/temperatures for growing tomatoes. If it is too late for them this year then you might want to plan for growing them next year. (I would allow 6 weeks from sowing your seed to planting out the tomato plants; from that plant out date you should see tomatoes on your plant, ready to eat, anywhere from 65 to 80 days later, depending on the variety.)
As for now, I bet you could still sow seeds of yellow squash, zucchini squash (you may know them as courgette; or maybe that is a term used by Europeans only?), cucumbers, bush beans, and perhaps a few other goodies!
Hope to see you check back in and let us know what you decide. It is always fun to learn of other's country, climate, gardens, and interests!
Again, many thanks for your words.
Shoe
...
Posted by Gustichock (from Tandil
(Argentina)) on February 14, 2007 at 7:26 AM:
Great! I'll try with squashes and pumpkins! As a matter of fact I have sowed (oe sown, I forgot the proper way for this verb) some pumpkins like 2 months ago and they are all blooming. I've noticed they are short in size but all covered by flowers. Is it because they suffered a little bit? My mom says it is because of the specie.
Oh, I've heard that tomato, basil and peppers are "friends" in the veggie garden. So I'll try next season!
Thank you very much pal!
This is contagious!
:)
Gus.
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Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on February 14, 2007 at 1:05 PM:
Good going! If your pumpkins have flowers it looks like you'll be seeing baby pumpkins coming on soon. (Look where the back end of the flower attaches to the vine; if there is a rounded bulb-like area that is a female flower and, if/when pollinated, will turn into a pumpkin.)
Have fun!
Shoe
...
Posted by Gustichock (from Tandil
(Argentina)) on February 16, 2007 at 8:07 AM:
Many thanks amigo!
Take care!!!
...
Subject: Tomato questions
Posted by DigMontana (from Libby, MT) on January 29, 2007 at 12:47 PM:
Hey shoe, I like your writing style.
I love to garden, but have never done too well with tomatoes. How do I get seeds or plants of the 2 tomatoe plants you mentioned in your article? Also can you tell how you grow your tomatoes from seed to plant to harvest? Im in Montana in zone 4b-5. Thanks again!
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on January 29, 2007 at 2:14 PM:
Howdy, DigMontana, and thanks for the compliment on the writing.
They not only have a great assortment of both tomato and pepper seeds but have a fantastic reputation for maintaining their seed purity.
As for growing from seed to harvest, that would have to be quite a detailed and long post, much too involved at this time. (Perhaps that can be covered in future articles?)
Very briefly though, start your seeds in a sterile seed starting mix (I recommend Metro Mix or Promix, available at most garden centers.) Best soil temperature for germination will be around 70 although anywhere between 60-85 should be fine.
Once the plants "declare" give them plenty of light and grow on at cooler temperature, 65 would be perfect! When their true leaves appear I'd recommend moving the plants into bigger pots (I used 4 inch pot but you can also use 12-16 ounce paper cups with a couple holes punched in the bottom for drainage). The seedlings can be planted right up to their leaves.
That should get you started for when the time comes, and that time should be around 6-8 weeks before your planting out date (no longer or you'll end up with spindly plants).
As time allows perhaps we can continue this more in-depth. As for now you might also like to check out a book by Carolyn Male (a wonderful heirloom tomato guru) called "100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the American Garden". Not only does it have seed starting tips/growing but has wonderful pictures of various tomatoes, their history, growth habits, etc. I can't say enough good things about that book or about Carolyn herself!
Shoe
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Posted by DigMontana (from Libby, MT) on January 30, 2007 at 6:18 PM:
Thank-you for the quick response. I understand the time constraint situation! You gave me some food to work with and thanks for the link to tomatoe growers supply. DM
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Posted by fireant13 (from Mascotte, FL) on January 30, 2007 at 8:34 PM:
I look forward to a more detailed article. How do I find out the planting out date for my area?
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on January 30, 2007 at 9:12 PM:
You're welcome, DM. Hope to hear back from you as to how things are going. And please feel free to ask questions should you need to. Or just post and brag a bit on how things are going for ya! :>)
fireant, to find your planting out date, especially for tomatoes/peppers/squash, you can either contact your local Ag office (they'll even have free handout literature for you!) and ask them when your last frost is or you can ask at your local garden centers/nurseries. (Although I was born in Florida I'm sorry I am just not familiar with your area, weather, plant-out times.)
Shoe
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Subject: WOW!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by vic (from Rutherfordton, NC) on January 29, 2007 at 12:03 PM:
GREAT article and makes ME want to grow veggies! *grin*
Folks, I've been the very blessed recipient of the veggies mentioned above and in the word of one of my favorite chefs..... YUM-O!
Shoe knows more about growing "anything" than just about any gardener I know. And uh, great writer, composer, singer, etc........
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Posted by tcfromky (from Mercer, PA) on January 29, 2007 at 7:42 PM:
I've heard him sing too Vic. And yes, he can. ;~)
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Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on January 29, 2007 at 10:09 PM:
Thanks, you two! But as for the singin'...NOT! :>)
Now as for talkin', I do that much better!
Shoe
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Posted by Jianhua (from Shangshui, Henan
(China)) on February 6, 2007 at 8:59 AM:
Hi, Shoe, my old friend.
Your tomatoes make my mouth watery,
Green thumb!
Your articles are wonderful,
A mighty pen, as
We Chinese often say complimenting a writer.
By the way, vic,
If you want to grow the veggies,
Of course, Shoe will send you seed for free.
I hope to see the newest picture of your lovely daughter.
Jianhua
...
Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on February 6, 2007 at 12:32 PM:
Howdy, Jianhua! Always nice to hear from you!
Thanks for the compliments. That is a nice way for me to greet the day!
As for the seeds for Vic, no need to send any! She and her hubby have actually been here picking delicious corn and even dancing in my garden! What could be better than fresh-picked food and dancing to the tune of "It's a Wonderful World", eh!?
Howdy, Folks! And welcome! Ya’ll come on up the steps, pick your sittin’ spot and share this front porch with me! My name is Horseshoe, but you can call me Shoe. (Yeah, I know, I know, what mother would name her child “Horseshoe”? Welp, perhaps that answer is for another time, eh?) 
