Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Seed Collection

Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Seed Collection

7 seed packets

Grow a colourful harvest of yellow, peach, pink, red, purple and mahogany tomatoes. This collection combines seven distinctive varieties with a range of fruit sizes, shapes, colours and flavours for fresh eating, salads, slicing and summer entertaining.

Includes one packet each of:

• ‘Anna Banana’ tomato
• ‘Black Zebra’ cherry tomato
• ‘Blue Beauty’ tomato
• ‘Garden Peach’ tomato
• ‘Indigo Rose’ tomato
• ‘Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye’ tomato
• ‘Japanese Black Trifele’ tomato

Grow several plants to create a varied summer harvest, from small striped cherry tomatoes through to large slicing and oxheart varieties.

A colourful tomato harvest

Heirloom and open-pollinated tomatoes have been preserved by gardeners for their distinctive colours, shapes, flavours and regional histories. Unlike supermarket tomatoes selected mainly for uniformity and transport, these varieties offer a broad range of textures and flavour profiles.

‘Anna Banana’ produces bright yellow, heart-shaped fruit with a sweet, mild flavour. ‘Garden Peach’ has soft, fuzzy yellow skin that develops a pink blush as the fruit ripens.

‘Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye’ combines pink flesh with striking green striping, while ‘Blue Beauty’ develops deep blue-purple shoulders above rich red fruit. ‘Indigo Rose’ produces firm tomatoes with dark purple colouring where the fruit is exposed to sunlight.

‘Black Zebra’ produces small mahogany cherry tomatoes with green-gold striping, while ‘Japanese Black Trifele’ develops rich, pear-shaped fruit with mahogany colouring and green-tinged shoulders.

Open-faced tomato and cheese toastie

Makes 1 toastie

Ingredients:

• 1 slice of bread
• Butter, for spreading
• Mayonnaise, for spreading
• 2–3 slices of cheddar cheese
• Sliced ripe tomato, using any variety from the collection
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, optional

Method:

1. Lightly butter both sides of the bread.
2. Spread mayonnaise over the top of the bread.
3. Layer the cheddar cheese over the bread, followed by the sliced tomato.
4. Season the tomato with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Place in a toaster oven or under a hot grill and cook until the cheese has melted and the edges of the bread are golden.

Serve hot with fresh basil scattered over the top, or enjoy it simply as it is.

Using the varieties

‘Anna Banana’ produces bright yellow, heart-shaped tomatoes with sweet, juicy flesh. Use it for slicing, salads and colourful fresh dishes.

‘Black Zebra’ produces small mahogany cherry tomatoes with deep green-gold stripes and a sweet, earthy flavour. It is ideal for salads, platters and fresh eating.

‘Blue Beauty’ produces medium to large beefsteak tomatoes with blue-purple shoulders, red flesh and a rich, balanced flavour. Use it for sandwiches, slicing and salads.

‘Garden Peach’ produces mild, sweet fruit with soft, fuzzy yellow skin and a pink blush. It adds an unusual texture and appearance to salads and fresh tomato platters.

‘Indigo Rose’ produces firm tomatoes with striking dark purple skin where the fruit receives direct sunlight. Allow the underside to ripen fully before harvesting for the best flavour and texture.

‘Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye’ produces eye-catching pink beefsteak tomatoes with green striping and a sweet, complex flavour. Use it for slicing, sandwiches and colourful salads.

‘Japanese Black Trifele’ produces mahogany-coloured, pear-shaped tomatoes with meaty flesh and a rich, savoury flavour. It is well suited to slicing, roasting and gourmet dishes.

Growing tomatoes

For sowing and germination instructions, see our Tomato & Pepper Seed Germination Guide.

For guidance on planting, feeding, supporting and caring for your plants throughout the season, see our Ultimate Chilli, Pepper & Tomato Growing Guide.

Plant tomatoes in a warm, sunny position after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Allow approximately 50–75 cm between plants.

All seven varieties are indeterminate and will continue growing and producing throughout the season. Provide strong stakes, cages or another form of support and tie the plants in as they grow.

Harvest ‘Anna Banana’, ‘Garden Peach’ and ‘Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye’ once the fruit is fully coloured and slightly soft. Pick ‘Black Zebra’ and ‘Japanese Black Trifele’ once their mature dark colouring has developed and the fruit gives slightly when gently pressed.

Allow ‘Blue Beauty’ to develop deep blue-purple shoulders and a rich red base before harvesting. ‘Indigo Rose’ should be left until the shaded underside has changed from green to its mature colour and the fruit has softened slightly.

Harvest ripe fruit regularly to encourage continued production and prevent heavy clusters from placing unnecessary strain on the plants.