Hi Kim,
If you grow hybrids, they will not come true to type. Some babies can look similar to the parent, but they can also look completely different. If you like to experiment, it can be fun, but if you like to know what you will get, you are better off not saving seed.
Heirlooms will come true from seed. Tomato blossoms and pepper blossoms are self-pollinating, but peppers seeds are more easily crossed with other peppers because of the open nature of the flowers. They attract a lot more insect visitors so the chance of pollen swapping is greater. So you can keep them a good distance apart if you wish to save seed. If you don't have room, you can bag blossoms to stop cross pollination, or grow one variety for seed saving, or just grow a bunch and don't save seed.
Remy

I've always wanted to grow heirloom tomatoes! So far Big Beef have been the only ones I've grown. Better than store bought, but nothing exciting like the descriptions of heirlooms. It's nice to know that if I make the investment in seeds I will be able to save them and they will come true from seed.
Kim

Hi again Kim,
You won't be disappointed in growing heirlooms. There's such a wide range of wonderful tastes out there to try. When I first got my house, I planted tomatoes. The regular ones for sale at the local nursery like Big Beef I planted. I was disappointed. I remembered the tomatoes from my childhood, big ugly green shoulder varieties that tasted fantastic. I eventually figured out what I remembered were heirloom type tomatoes and I've been growing lots ever since : )
Remy

The only person that I knew that ever tried growing an heirloom is my father-in-law. I told him I bought seeds to grow Brandywine (for next season). He told me I shouldn't have. All he said was "ugly". I tried to explain that I wanted to grow them just to try what one of the arguably best-tasting tomatoes tasted like. He again responded with "ugly" and shook his head. I'm not looking to grow tomatoes to win a beauty contest. I just want some tasty tomatoes.

I have yet to grow (or even taste) an heirloom, but I plan on it next season. I've been reading up on the Growing Tomatoes forum about their favorites. Now I have a list of those that I want to start with. Now I am going to get some seeds and give it a try. Hopefully some of them will be a success so I can start saving my own seeds rather than buy them every year.

Thanks for all your help Remy.

Kim

Kim,
A few years ago I too heard about the great taste of Heirloom tomatos but didn't know where to find seeds or plants in the spring. So I did the next best thing, at a farmers market I purchased several Brandywine heirlooms from a vendor.
Each time I cut one open to serve the family, I was picking out and drying on a paper towel seeds.
So I ended up with seeds from 8 or so different heirlooms.
The following year I planted plenty of these seeds per container and waited to see if any would sprout.
They did, only about 20% did come up (so plant plenty) and several found their way to my garden come late May.
Along with these plants, I planted store bought plants which did grow faster and produced better looking plants and the perfectly round tomato. But later in the season when the heirlooms began to ripen...yum.
They were "ugly" as your father-in-law said, but they are full of flavor. They aren't that perfect engeneered round store bought, but the taste and wait was well worth it.

My heirlooms had thin skin so a soft touch in handling is nesc. and they didn't keep too long once picked. But who cares when they taste that good they don't last long.
I still plant enought seeds each year to get one heirloom plant. I don't recemend savings seeds a "second" generation as I have found the plants grow but do not produce as well. Good luck and don't be discuraged by the Uglyness, the taste is well worth it.

Tales from Rex's garden.

Thanks for the words of encouragement Rex. I can't wait to start planting.
Kim

Kim, Remy and all - I have been saving heirloom tomato seeds for a few years now and do have some seeds I could gift you. Varieties include: Boxcar Willie, Lemon Boy, Rose de Berne, and Costeluto Genovese. Just drop me an email!

Kind Regards,
Carol/Irisgirl

Kim,
You're welcome : ) There are pretty heirlooms too that taste good. I'm sure you saw the thread on the Tomato forum. I think some people thin all heirlooms get green shoulders or are not completely smooth. I like ribbed tomatoes though.
Good Luck next year!

Carol,
Thanks for the offer. It is very generous of you, but I need more seeds like I need a hole in the head, lol.
Remy

Carol,
I sent you an e-mail. With your seeds I think I have a good variety to try next season. Thanks to everyone for your advice and seeds. I'll make sure that I let everyone know how my first experience with heirlooms goes. The good and bad. I'm sure there will be both, but it'll sure be a lot of fun trying to get some tasty tomatoes.
Thanks!
Kim

kr222, you might want to check out the tomato swap on the round robin forum. If you have 20 or so seeds of each variety, you can divide them in half, keep half and send the other half to the swap to get however many you send in new varieties. Thats what I am doing.

Yotetrapper,
That sounds like so much fun. I'll have to remember that for next season. I wouldn't have enough seeds to participate this year.
Kim