Harvesting 300 POUNDS of Giant Crimson Tomatoes!

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

Now you are part of heirloom seed saving history! Congrats!

[@matthewfriday2979]

Harvesting my Giant Crimsons now... delicious and super prolific! Had a friend stop by today and while showing them off I explained your story of how this breed was resurrected from extinction. Well done Luke, thanks for all your hard work!

[@billytingen3567]

Awesome story of the Giant Crimson tomato Luke. Thanks for sharing it with us. You know what I absolutely Love about you and the Journey you have been on from years ago until now? All the years I've been watching you, you still have that uncontrolled innocent excitement, that energy that greets us every time and pulls us into your story and ultimately your Beautiful Journey!! Your passion for what you do is overwhelmingly contagious! Cheers my Friend.

[@rehoboth_farm]

I'm so happy for you. I remember when you were first germinating the original seeds. You must feel a great sense of accomplishment.

[@coreymcdonough8289]

I grew the giant crimson tomato this year in Philadelphia. All four seeds I planted germinated and the fruits were absolutely beautiful. It's amazing that your 1 surviving seed from an extinct variety could now provide you with pounds of fruit in only a few years. I love the giant crimson and I can't wait to grow it again next year!

[@jasongondola9687]

Where did you get the seeds at?

[@justjlll4596]

It’s great to have an understanding of all the work that goes into the packet of seeds we buy. My giant crimson are doing well in WI.

[@DonJuanMarco1994]

Look at that, from one seed that germinated, now there are rows of them. God bless you sir and your garden.

[@laurarich2599]

Glad to know that the Giant Crimson aren't expected to be giant LOL!! I purchased seed from you this past spring. Grew 3 seedlings and saved the remaining two "just in case". I planted 2 of the seedling in my own garden and gave the third seedling to another seed saving gardening friend. I have been very happy with the production of these plants but wondered about the size. As a Maine gardener, the tomatoes are just coming on now and tomorrow we will be giving the Giant Crimson a taste test! Thank you Luke for bringing this tomato back!

[@chuckwagon7171]

They love the north, and when they were bread, an 8-10oz tomato was a giant. Tomatoes of the 1800's were just larger than a golf ball

[@covahsmusicvault8953]

Well said. My 30 something kids have grown up in a bigger must be better world & that's why food looks and taste awful now.

[@brookescott9598]

Interesting fact. Golf ball size! Hmmm...my great grandparents time.

[@ubroberts5541]

When they were bred most other tomato varieties were much smaller. Agreed.

[@brookescott9598]

Strange telegram message about shortlist and surprise. Tried to find you on telegram but nothing came up.

[@fourtwozero]

@@brookescott9598 Its a scam. Ignore it.

[@patriciaserdahl5577]

Awesome story Luke congratulations on the 1 Crimson seed making thousand more seeds a True blessing 😊 can't wait to grow them 1 day

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

It definitely has a different taste to it it's really cool I really enjoyed growing the giant crimson tomato this year. Definitely all kinds of different size tomatoes . They had a very high germination rate I believe I had a 100%. You're definitely my favorite seed company. Keep up the good work

[@run34fun]

I started the five seeds I bought from you in the early spring. All of them germinated!! I now have the most beautiful tomatoes. When I tried one it was like tasting a tomato from my childhood. Thank you for sharing your precious seeds.

[@mydailybread777]

Wow...that is so cool! The big difference to me from store bought tomatoes to home grown heirlooms is FLAVOR. Home grown tomatoes are can be picked at peak ripeness too which only makes it better.

[@highflyer13131]

I love the fact that they aren't uniform. It's like having kids, they have their own traits and story. I planted a bunch of you black prince tomatoes and had great germination rates. When they began to ripen my chickens went to town and destroyed them. 🤪 Lesson learned since it was my first gardening attempt. At least now I know I can make em grow. Next year I'm hoping I can repeat the resulst minus the chicken havoc.

[@apostlej2015]

Wow dude you saved a species. Well done. Congrats on the farm and the new store

[@MadameCasper]

I remember you germinating those seeds. Very exciting to see those ancients come back.

[@anchorageprepper9008]

Congratulations on a job well done. All from one seed! 👍

[@RunaaSteinamrk]

I have been waiting 5 years for this news 🙌 I'm so happy it worked and to read all the comments of people who have been growing them successfully and loving them. Much love from the Faroe Islands 🇫🇴

[@gpashh]

Yayyy, I spotted one on my tomato plant this morning. So happy! The heat is dying down in TX and all my tomatoes are taking off. Only one giant Crimson plant made it so praying I actually get to pick some. I did save a few seeds out of the bunch just in case this happened. Thank you!

[@gardenerpete5232]

I would like to see a video on how you mass produce tomato seeds. Thanks again, GardenerPete.

[@victoriaisham8902]

We had great luck with these! We will continue to grow them! Thank you so much for your hard work in bringing these back to existence! 🍅🍅

[@deannewilliams3321]

Bravo for finding and saving this heirloom!!

[@jerrelc.thomas336]

I just found out about this tomato today and found your website. I ordered some seeds for the Giant Crimson tomato, and I can't wait to get them. It's kind of late in the season, so I probably won't start them till next year this is an amazing story thanks for sharing and bringing back a treasure tomato❤😊

[@Dianatorres6990]

I remember picking tomatoes in Homestead, and lmmokalee , Florida. We earned $1.00 an hour in 1965. The tomatoes were picked green. If the tomato had a star on the top it was ready to be picked and taken to the stores. It finished ripening in warehouses. They were perfect , no spots or deformatived. Those were the best tomatoes. ✌️👍

[@kimeverhart6253]

What a wonderful success story!! Thank you for saving such a beautiful, precious food that is just a joy to behold!!

[@TurboWorld]

That is a very great history, way to go on you to get this species to thrive. Thanks for sharing with us and rippling our universe with your positive energy!

[@brendaglanzman2066]

You were meant to find that tomato Luke. It's awesome you brought it back. Can't wait to order it.

[@valeriehowden471]

I remember this journey from the beginning... so been with MIgardener for over 5 years! Thanks for bringing back.

[@christophergetchell6490]

So happy to have joined in on this incredible plant's journey in coming back after being dormant for 80 something years! I think I'm going to save the majority of the seed this year with a few for me to indulge snacking on. Thank you for making these available to all of us!

[@Nikki-mx5my]

This was really fun, thanks for taking us along for the ride! I remember watching those old videos from the beginning of this journey. Luke, I would love to meet the folks that partnered with you and Sindy to bring this tomato variety back to production to be able to share with the garden world. I know it is quite a process and hope to try this variety next year. 😄

[@Nikki-mx5my]

Maybe you could invite them to your seed launch party in November and do a little presentation/Q&A. That would be really cool, (and I know that right now is prime busy time for farmers).

[@moonbladem]

I followed your journey with the Giant Crimson tomato through your videos and was rooting so much for you to succeed. You did, and it's such an awesome accomplishment! I'm sure nature thanks you!

[@BlackOnyxCat]

Yum, Yum, Yum 😋 Garden tomatoes are my favorite and that juicy, red heirloom tomato looked delicious!!! I’m so glad you were able to revive it!! Thank you for sharing the story of it. I think it is important for gardeners to preserve the GMO Free seeds. I harvest my own seeds as much as I can, a lot of trial and error but it’s worth it. Thanks again 💚🤍💛❤️

[@mohannadmalik5373]

I am sure with all the years of gardening videos along with this great avhievement you have made a huge difference that the global gardening community appreciating, your channel is my favourite keep growing

[@lc91902]

👍💖 Hard to believe it's been 5 years already! I remember your journey with receipt of the shadowbox and the growth of the tomato plant. Great job in reviving this heirloom varietal.

[@SugarBeeFarm]

I am using these in place of paste tomatoes for sauce. They are uniform in color, great texture, super healthy and blight resistant even when blight is on other varieties all around it I will always grow these. Yes the sizes are all over the place but that’s ok.

[@charlestessier7843]

Goes to show what intensification and commercialisation of farming and agriculture has done. Has led to fewer varieties of vegetables, fruits and cereals within their different types leading to a lot of monocultures. THANKFULLY, there are folks like yourself to TRY and reverse the trends if that is even possible.

[@norat6126]

Congratulations. Very happy for you. I look forward to purchasing seeds.

[@katherinecornette5315]

Great work Luke! Beautiful harvest🍅

[@leighannf.4730]

Do you have a video of processing the tomatoes for seeds? I would love to see how MIgardener seeds go from field to store!

[@Tessa-hg4hn]

He does

[@leighannf.4730]

@@Tessa-hg4hn For home growers or the MIgardener store? I'm interested in the latter...and today he shared a video on just that!

[@AjArpopP52]

Very cool video! I really like these types of videos. Not only do we learn about how to grow we have the opportunity to learn about the seeds history. Thank you.

[@blue_satin_sashes]

i've been harvesting loads of cherokee purples! i'm obsessed. they taste SO good

[@pathoward5721]

Love Cherokee purple, so delicious 😋

[@jonniricard7460]

This is so interesting! What a story! Congratulations for saving the Giant Crimson!

[@we2824]

Wow! What a neat story and journey! Congrats Luke!

[@aardyn8564]

I've been waiting a long time for those seeds to come back into stock at the store, as I missed to first chance to get some.

[@Nikki-mx5my]

They won’t likely be available again until the MIgardener 2023 seed launch in November and will likely be a few more years or more until they can be brought up to production and as widely available as other tomato varieties.

[@mammaec]

Congratulations Luke, I remember you taking this seed packet out of the frame 🖼 then planting it. The one plant that survived did not look so great. But look at you now!! I salute you dear boy 👩🏽‍🌾

[@aphillips5376]

Just beautiful tomatoes Luke! Congrats!!

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

Luke, Thank you for resurrecting this variety. I remember how excited you were when removing the seed packets from that old shadow box. Many of us were there - cheering you on! It has been a long time coming, but you did it! KUDOS! Best wishes from Kate in Olympia, WA - 8/30/2022.

[@gardenerpete5232]

I want to thank you for your wonderful videos, and the Giant Crimson tomato. It is super sweet!! Wonderful. And, yes, definitely Indeterminate! I have 9-foot-high string trellises, I had to top it off just above the trellis because my ladder isn't tall enough to reach any higher. on my string trellises, I grow Tomatoes (20 varieties, Tomatillos 2), Melons (4 var.), Peas (28 ft long, 3 in. spacing, 6 var.), Cucumbers (4-6 var. 6 in spacing), pole beans (4 var., 3 in. spacing), 2. 4x10 ft. plots have lettuces, Braccias, Kale, beets, turnips, kohlrabi, spinach, carrots, swiss chard, broccoli, peppers, and (radishes, they go in the tomato plots along with onions, leeks, more carrots, herbs, & flowers). I've had a rough time this year with weather (90's in May, 20 deg. in late April), heavy rain, stand very hot, dry July. I'm zone 7A, lower Westchester Co. New York. I plant my greens and root vegies starting first or second week of March, depending on the current weather. I usually have everything in by the third or fourth week. It takes 2 busy weeks to get everything (greens & Root v.) sown. Surprisingly, the 2 days of 20 deg. weather didn't kill anything, and the 90 deg days made everything bolt, but pants were too young to set flowers or get bitter, so I've had excellent harvests this year. Tomatoes, not so lucky. Grey Catbirds brought all their friends and ate 1/2 or more of each tomato. Hot pepper spray did nothing. Found 8x12 mesh bags to cover tomatoes. Vollia!! problem solved! Now enjoying the tomatoes, zero damage! Thank you, GardenerPete

[@vanessaadams9145]

Super exciting!! Luke I bought some Inciardi Paste seeds from you guys this year and they are the most unique looking tomato plant I have ever seen, long almost droopy leaves and tall oh my goodness, I finally had to cut the tops a week back now our frost is Sept 20th so now the MASSIVE fruit at the bottom has began to ripen! So excited to save those seeds for next year ❤️ I also sold a few start plants to spread the love this year. Awesome! You guys are awesome

[@richevertz1608]

Luke, thank you for doing this. We purchased some of the seeds and grew them this year. The plants are about 10 feet tall and produced wonderfully. I think they taste amazing! I will definitely grow these again. I appreciate your efforts and determination in bringing this variety back! Some of the tomatoes were the absolute best looking tomatoes I've grown. Thanks again!

[@lumpyslongshot2113]

Great job, very proud of you for bringing something back from extinction, frame the story with photos. Hurry and ferment those seeds, I’m buying two packs. Thanks pal. Be very proud of what you and your family have done.

[@Zeropatience1]

Absolutely beautiful harvest and well done on the 5 years of hard work and bringing back the giant crimson. :-)

[@75Bigsistr]

Growing 2 from seed I purchased from your shop. I just love the history behind this yummy heirloom!

[@eileenredfern8364]

Great story on your seed find. Glad it was successful. Blessings from Massachusetts.

[@Who_Else]

I have a few growing on my plant!! Desperately hoping they ripen before the first frost, which is usually early-mid September!

[@lavernfoy4591]

That’s so awesome. Thank you for your Love of the garden. I saw the video of you and the shadow box and the planting of that beautiful tomato. Can’t wait to get some of the beautiful seeds!!

[@kimmyseegmiller985]

This is so amazing! I love what you are done! I tried to get some seeds but they are sold out!

[@cherihabegger9856]

I love this. What an accomplishment!

[@twotonenavy]

I absolutely love mine! Thank you for sharing them with us! All five seeds I sorted had great germination and are thriving in my garden down here in Roseville. 😁

[@nuckyjohnson3213]

It's awesome that you have come so far Luke! Glad to see the g.c. tomato has been resurrected

[@KerriEverlasting]

Incredible story, great job! 💖

[@HybridTheJackal]

Salute to you still out there in all that crazy UV!

[@sheilaquattrocchi9274]

Wow! This IS super exciting!! Congratulations!! I am so glad you committed to do this project. I look forward to getting some seeds of my own.

[@barbaramcclure536]

So glad I could view this video! Thank You! Going to try next year. Any hints for me? Spacing , fertilizer etc? Thanks, Barb

[@jacobspranger1267]

How far apart do you space out your different varieties of tomatoes when it comes to saving seeds?

[@Earthy-Artist]

I've been following your Giant Crimson adventure from the beginning, so much fun!

[@helenmcclellan452]

Grrat video! I would live to see you show all the tomato varieties you sell online so I know how big they grow, resistance, and especually a tasting/ rating. That would be fun to see and learn from so I know which to order for our family. Same goes with peppers.

[@williammiller5897]

O my goodness this is exciting I wanna get ahold of some of these seeds I love tomatoes I can’t believe how excited you must be

[@soulalchemyfarm8674]

That was the first video of yours I watches when it came out.. its so awesome to see the progress.

[@MorroccoM13]

I LOVE THIS STORY !

[@pennycricket2294]

I am hoping to get seeds from some of these. Were sold out in Spring when I tried. They sound wonderful. Amazing story!

[@katiehoy7638]

I grew some of your giant crimson tomatoes 🍅 this year in New Jersey they are so delicious, 🔥 and almost 9ft tall so far!

[@KansaSwede]

Luke, have you submitted some of the seeds to the Svalbard Seed Vault?

[@deliadeitz]

Back from the brink!!! Congratulations!!

[@tonyajackson8827]

I'm SO EXCITED!!!!! I'm going to try to order some just as soon as I hear they're available!!

[@pineapplebob06]

i was so excited to get seeds for this season and grow them, such a delicious variety and will be saving seeds going forward for friends and family.

[@HomewardBound961]

Wow! Doesn't seem like it's been 5 years . Been watching you a whole lot longer than I realized. Btw thanks for my seed delivery.

[@MIgardener]

Time flies when you’re having fun in the garden! :)

[@jessicapayne8622]

I’ve got some giant crimson tomato seeds, 3 packets and as far as I’m aware labels have gone missing, I’ve got 4 plants growing. On these 4 plants, so far 2 plants have for fruit growing. I’ve got over 40 tomato plants of various varieties. Yes. I love tomatoes!

[@colleenbowman1399]

Just ate my first one yesterday! Yum!!!

[@DJ-nz2lk]

Would love to grow some giant crimson - yum !

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

This is absolutely amazing Luke! 👏👏👏 I've heard some similar stories that came out of Baker Creek early on and in the bringing back as many apple varieties but, c'mon! The tomato is often the first initiation into gardening for most people! This really seems like a God-plan. 😏😉 I'm glad He chose you for this work. Would you be permitted to rename it 'Lazarus'?😄☺️ Love and blessings! 💜

[@Hummingbirdhillhmstd]

So cool Luke! Congratulations!

[@VinylToVideo]

Oh, never saw this! Have been wanting to obtain some of these seeds! Spring soon.. where can I get some?!

[@brandonminiman]

Wow great farm! You are like a kid in a candy store Luke!

[@isabellaabruzzi9611]

Luke, you are amazing!

[@covahsmusicvault8953]

I saw similar looking tomatoes in 2017 that were sold in store as "heirloom" varieties. I didn't have a garden, so I wasn't able to plant any on my own but I sure wanted to. I'm eccentric/odd.....so I'm a magnet for anything in nature that is what most folks won't touch. On the topic of tomatoes....I really need honest advice & greatly appreciate it in advance. Written below is the full story: I bought my forever home last Nov. & planted a 9x15 garden on June 1st. Some things were planted in July. My garden has done better than many neighbors expected & all are telling me it's time to pull tomato plants & cut flowers from those that still have fruit on them. Maybe they're just disgruntled neighbors. {I say this because their crops did so poorly. So w/o hesitation I offered every thing abundant and told them to come pick & enjoy.} We're in NE, Montana {about 30 min. from Dickinson, N. Dakota}. The garden's in the back yard which receives up to 14 hrs. of total sun most days. My 2 tomato plants are still very green & heavy with tomatoes as well as flowers. My neighbors plants are brown yet still producing, but have no flowers. These folks have been here for 5 & almost 12 yrs., one an avid gardening family. So my query is...Do I leave my plants alone & let them/nature decide when its done? Thanks, ~ Covah

[@HomewardBound961]

Those plants have more life in them. Please don't pull them now or you will never know their true potential! {Maybe neighbors are a bit jealous lol.)

[@covahsmusicvault8953]

@@HomewardBound961 That's what I'm thinking....100%. I also can't & won't use pesticides in my home or garden. I've lived in MT for over 21 yrs., just never lived in this region which is much more arid... so you could say I'm winging it. It seems almost impossible to find any advice for my area when it pertains to growing a garden. This is our 2nd summer of triple digit temps & severe infestation of grasshoppers. It got extremely frigid here, we even had a wet blizzard that closed down over 500 miles of I-94 this past spring. Unfortunately the ground just didn't have a chance to freeze deep enough to kill off all the pesky critter eggs & larvae that got to sit comfy in the ground. I'm doing my best & I know Mother Nature has sent whatever arsenal she could to allow this garden to flourish. The bumble bees are getting drunk on my sunflowers. Did you plant anything this season?? I love hearing about other's success...even losses are nice to share. The flood ripped my Bell pepper out & it was too hot for my cabbage, the plus side is they ended up being "sacrificial" plants instead.

[@Nikki-mx5my]

Your garden sounds amazing! I say let your plants keep going and let nature decide when they’ve reached the end of their life. Enjoy!

[@Nikki-mx5my]

Also kudos to your success in growing in a different climate than you’re used to. 😀

[@ingekaivola4685]

Because I live at an elevation of around 7500 feet and because of the short growing season, I know that frost is coming soon. I have been cutting off all the blossoms and the tiny tomatoes. They don't have a chance here. I want my tomato plants to put all their energy into growing and ripening the tomatoes that are already on the plant. That could be what your neighbors are thinking. But definitely not ripping plants out of the soil at this time!!

[@hollynelson543]

What a beautiful harvest.

[@missourigirl4101]

Luke. Out of 6 seeds I got 2plants. They are small to med size and acidic. Fun to be part of the renewal of food. Thx!

[@growjoyfullyhomestead]

This is so cool congratulations! I was watching the episode of when you opened the shadow box!

[@pramodreddy9195]

I went to slow farm last month and the giant crimsons looked great!

[@pramodreddy9195]

Scammer

[@jackiehorsley9263]

Luke sounds like some awesome variety,s I well have to try growing them next season

[@cyberwinn]

I remember when you called Cindy that two had sprouted...you where like a proud dad..and just look at you now...dang we bern following forever it seems.

[@yx6889]

Huh, I'll have to add that tomato to my rotation for next year. What a cool back story!

[@danielboyd4079]

Got an orange roussolini going in my patio garden here in north Texas. Just need the temps to drop a bit more and think I’ll start seeing fruit set. Definitely want to try the giant crimson in the spring!

[@donnarichey144]

Getting the tomato seeds, do you use the rest of the tomato in sauce or use? They look amazing, I am so happy for you. I like the big paste tomato.

[@susanruzicka2555]

I'd love to see how you can them. Or do you do all tomato canning like your Grandma taught you? I'm only a year into canning and I've pushed them whole into the jars and I've done sauce with fresh basil. So exciting to even think that a fruit type that was non-existent has been brought back... it gives me hope for mankind. 😋 Did I say thanks?

[@reginawhite1235]

I read the title and it makes me hopeful that I will be quick enough to order some giant crimson before they sell out. I know they go quickly!! Now on to watch the video....

[@donnab6890]

Such a great story! ❤️

[@kylekoenig4730]

You don’t know how excited I am to get an update on this

[@cswan1541]

Purchased these and maybe the plants themselves are the giant part because all my seeds germinated and the plants are close to six feet tall! Just starting to come on in southern Michigan. Going to try slips and sending to Florida for the winter. Who knows? It’s been fun telling the story. Three other family members each got a plant from me and they all are doing great. Had one for a snack today for the first time.