Finding Heirloom Tomato Plants in the Chicago Area

14 years ago

I live in Naperville, but I'm willing to travel a bit. When I'm ready to plant tomatoes in the spring (Early May), where will I be able to find Heirloom tomatoes? I know that my local Menards had a small selection, but in particular, I'm looking at:

Berkeley Tie Die

Black from Tula

Black Krim

Brandywine OTV

Paul Robeson

Bull's Heart

Zogola

Cherokee Purple

Sun Gold

Stupice

I'm putting together my plant order from Laurel's, and I'd like to get as much local as I can to avoid paying shipping.

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Comments (6)

smpetrou
14 years ago
I live in Plainfield and I think this would be a good place for you to check out. They list what heirlooms they carry. Hope you find what you want!
http://www.schaefergreenhouses.com/garden_product/vegetables_herb.html

Stephanie
gonativegal
14 years ago
Clovers is a good bet for heirloom vegetables and annuals - they're not a brick and mortar establishment. They're located around Chicagoland in portable greenhouse tents oftentimes located in and around shopping centers and closeup after Halloween. But their prices are reasonable with friendly staff and they take very good care of their stock throughout the entire season.

For free heirlooms there is also Lindalana's big plant swap in Skokie every Memorial Day weekend. Check out the winter sowing forum for more information.

Between Clovers and lindalana's that's where I got most of my heirloom vegetables this year.
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stage_rat, yes it is I who has an interest in heirloom tomatoes. I WSed about 35 varieties this year with astounding germination rates. I only wish that I had been better prepared to bring more with me to share but my decision to come to the swap was literally last minute so I threw what I could in the car. If anyone happens to be in the western burbs this week and wants some though I still have plenty to share after farming out what I could to family and friends. All those that haven't found homes by Friday get brought to the year-end picnic at the kids' school with a "free to good homes" sign. I'd love to talk tomatoes anytime. I'll be scouting out the farmers markets this summer for some fun new varieties to save seed from since my saved seeds from last year did so well. Thanks again to everyone for the wonderful plants. I came home totally inspired and have been ripping my way through previously neglected beds and overhauling them dramatically. Ellen, that gorgeous bleeding heart is the star of a new little shade garden in a newly-beautified corner of the garden...speaking of stars, shooting stars you say? I was just admiring them at a nursery the other day...making notes for next year's wish list :o) -Corrie
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GK, I can't say with certainty that you could not grow Aunt Gertie's Gold. I don't think Kathy on the Tomatoes Anonymous thread has ever grown A.G.G. She is the only Seattle grower who is a regular poster. I would suggest that you take a tour of your garden. What is the warmest/sunniest microclimate there? If you can spare that space, that is where I would plant tomatoes. In the past I have read posts from Pudget Sound tomato growers. There was even a guy from Vashon Is. who grew large and tasty tomatoes, but I think he had a perfect spot for them. Look for south facing walls that will bounce heat/light into your plants. Planting in pots next to your driveway works for some. Again, anything that will bounce heat and light into the plants. Walls of Water, (WOWs) would help keep heat around your plants. A hoop house would work, although it might be more work than you would like. 2 liter pop bottles filled with water around your plants would act like W.O.Ws. Tomato cages wrapped with thick mil clear plastic would also help keep heat around the plants. A.G.G. would most likely not be an early for you. It would not be any early down here in Eugene, OR. I hope you find this helpful. One of the best things we northwest growers can do is plant our seeds early enough. I think Kathy started hers in February and then worked them out into her greenhouse. Hope this is helpful. Mary
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You just missed out on the CHOPTAG PLANT SWAP in N.E. Cincinnati, we had it on May 8th. The CHOPTAG Pictures link doesn't have any recent pictures but should give you an idea about CHOPTAG. You do can a google search on CHOPTAG to learn about us. We always have a great time at the meets. Here is a link that might be useful: CHOPTAG Pictures
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If you don't find what you want at Sky, you might check with Furney's in Des Moines. I was in there about a week ago and they had some heirloom type tomatoes, but I don't remember which ones...I was only looking for Sun Gold & didn't pay close attention to all the others. I just returned from Dallas where I visited a nursery that was closing out their tomatoes in 4" pots at 50 cents apiece...a large selection of nice plants. Too bad I couldn't bring several home!
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PRO
Westeast Herb Gardens
5 years ago
We do live in Norwood Park Chicago. We do grow our own heirlooms since couple of years. We are family owned family ran urban garden. We provide microgreens and tomatoes and few other goodies, sustainably in our community. If anyone interested buying heirloom tomatoes or tomato plants lets connect. westeastherbgardens@gmail.com
Adam Behrens
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I live near the Roscoe Village area in downtown Chicago and have started my own shop specifically for this. Check out Windy City Tomatoes at www.windycitytomatoes.com
PRO
User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Hey Platys! We'll be hand-delivering vegetable plants and herbs to the Chicago Market starting in a few weeks. We don't have the products online yet, but check back around mid-April or contact our Customer Service team via chat, email or phone (607-288-2975) to have them send you an email when the tomato plants you are interested in are in-stock.
PRO
User
3 years ago
We did get some of the Brandywine variety in, as well as the Orange Strawberry Oxheart! The vegetable plants are all going quick though, just like last year. Just in case these are sold out, here's all the varieties we have available: https://www.shrubbucket.com/collections/2021-victory-garden-tomatoes

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Finding Heirloom Tomato Plants in the Chicago Area

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smpetrou

gonativegal

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