We Grew The Rarest Tomato Ever - The Giant Crimson is BACK!

The Giant Crimson was made extict 70-80 years ago. We found seed in a shadowbox in packets ober 87 years old and grew it out… This is the result. Check out our new clothing line! http:www.freshpickedapparel.com

[@moirbasso7051]

"We're not looking to exploit this."- THIS is why I continue to come back to your channel. God bless you. You offer seed packets for 99cents! NO ONE is as honest as you. Thanks, young man.

[@ssmy5701]

Luke, I was one of your customers that bought the 5 seeds you allowed us to buy and ALL FIVE OF MY 5 SEEDS ARE GROWING. I seed start seeds from MIGardner and baby them until they get planted outside later on and the Giant Crimson looks so pretty and strong. Just wanted to let you know that I plan on saving seeds from these plants if I possibly can. Thank you again Luke.

[@bhawthorne5654]

Suggestion: Send some of these seeds to the UofM horticulture program so they can save them.. they dont sell them (I dont think) and you'd know they were preserved

[@heavenboundhomestead126]

You know Jess at Roots & Refuge is going to want some seeds! She will be so excited over this tomato. I am 60 years old and the tomatoes back then are not the same as they are now. Would love to get ahold of seeds that my uncle had. Blessings to you your land and all you put your hands to

[@seedaholicgardens9085]

My search is for my Grandma's tomato, so, i get it!Good luck on your search!May your tomato find you!

[@simplyraeann3711]

Yes she will! I can hear her gitty laugh being excited for it!

[@shastafog2516]

I remember these being common in Tennessee. 1975.

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

You are correct. Jess from ROOTS AND REFUGE will go crazy for this variety! -- Kate

[@clarissathompson]

Lol, she’s such a tomato enthusiast!

[@simplyraeann3711]

I've really been waiting to buy these! Thank you for bringing them back to the market. Its absolutely ridiculous that you've had theft threats!

[@TheMacs1]

Patience is a virtue. Can’t wait to buy more of your seeds!! We have been VERY pleased with everything MIgardener!!!

[@weqrfawe1336]

wow. just wow. i mean this is absolutely amazing. bringing an entire type of variety back from the dead and offering it to the public and turning down for (im sure) tons of money. good on you my dude, your a real one and your doing incredibly real things. a true inspiration. i hope to one day do the same.

[@PlatoonGoon]

@kshiftkometh Not parties lmao just people who want it for themselves

[@LLopez-sx1jr]

People have threatened theft? So ridiculous. So excited for this journey you've been on with this tomato, so awesome.

[@Audio017]

I was going to post this. This is one of the most wholesome and genuine channels on this website, I can believe this, but I am seriously disappointed.

[@bhawthorne5654]

Migardener is really taking off! My local gardening groups and clubs consistently mention your name in our circles now and we suggest you guys for seeds and gardening tips! I also follow a few channels on here who consistently purchase from you and refer to your channel 😊 thank you for sharing so much with us! I try to pass along the knowledge to "plant it forward " persay lol. Thanks again Migardener family!

[@camerondietz4040]

This is like literally one of my favorite garden channels. Lots of knowledge and clear too. Also has an amazing store, hope to start my new tomato collection in the fall.

[@AaricHale]

I can't wait to get a chance to grow that tomato. Thank you so much for saving this tomato for everybody !

[@davidellis4031]

Congratulations! I'm sure, at least hope you realise that this is not just the trophy for giving an old pack of dusty seeds a chance, but the latest culmination of all of your years of effort and hard work in your trade and your channel. I'm definitely in for a pack or two of the seeds, and while I appreciate that you don't want to profiteer, I hope you price them in a way that repays your effort and supports this channel. Anything up to a dollar or two per seed, plus the shipping to the UK I'd be happy to pay.

[@simplyraeann3711]

His normal seems to be 25 seeds per pack. I would be happy with 5 seeds a pack! Especially since they will go so quick maybe it will stretch out the pack count.

[@ssmy5701]

Price was for a dollar a seed and allowed to buy 5 seeds.

[@LluviaAva]

​@ssmy5701 that was really generous of him! Happy to learn that. I hope these tomatos are flurishing in all of their new homes and being spread around.

[@theresecornelius812]

I think I can speak for most that we are happy to support all you’ve done and do..your disciplined efforts, hard work, and the passionate guidance you give to those of us who love to garden that only we can truly understand! It wouldn’t be right not to pay a bit more for all you’ve done to bring this Crimson back to life!

[@LoquaciousByNature]

How many seeds did you get from the initial harvest? It was awesome to get to watch the seeds germinate, despite their age. I'd love to see another Heirloom seed success story 😊

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

Oh my gosh -- Luke -- I clicked on your video the minute I saw the words GIANT CRIMSON! Congratulations! This is so exciting! Thank you so much for reviving the variety and preserving its genetics for future generations! This kind of preservation is what makes my heart sing! (👍#488 and comment #122). Blessings and best wishes from Kate in Olympia, WA - 4/29/2019.

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

Oh...and wait till Jess at ROOTS AND REFUGE sees your post! She will go crazy! -- Kate

[@nickc5696]

Luke I came across your 87yr old Giant Crimson tomato videos after researching tomato propagation. I'm now intrigued by this tomato. Have these seeds made it to your shop after 2 - 3 years? I'm a frequent purchaser and a fellow Michigander like yourself. I live in Novi and would love to purchase some of these! Anymore info on that "Giant Crimson" tomato would be awesome!

[@kimtrinh1524]

I'm glad these seeds fell in your hands. You truly have a deep appreciation for plants and I'm confident you have the interest in the survival of these species for generations to come.

[@zsandmann]

I just planted 45 tomato plants mostly beefsteak and heirlooms I grew from seed. I’d love to get some of these seeds when they become available!

[@Carol32547]

I do remember the tomatoes as you are describing. When you cut into it..I said yes...that's it. Glad it was saved...great job Luke

[@TinaSpencer-mr1cp]

I remember watching your video about how the original vintage seed packet came into your hands. What an amazing story. I was completely geeked then and still am today. I missed out on getting seeds from you when they were first available, but made sure to get some just the other day when your seed sale started. Cannot wait to give these a grow!

[@spendleton360]

Great video. I have to say, I've never seen someone so in love with a tomato, lol, but that's just how us gardeners are. Have a great rest of your day.

[@BrianTheLog]

Wtf threats to a gardening channel? This world is truly sick

[@jiaunmew878]

I wonder what you eat if we don’t have gardener or homestead to grow fruit and vegetables and raised animals. So be thankful.

[@shalonamaranth]

Yeah. Threats over the very valuable and extinct tomato.

[@prestin6798]

Yea I’m glad I’m not the only one that was truly bothered by that

[@Re-op5fc]

I have a feeling that there’s probably some exceptional healing properties in this type of tomato! Big Pharma tries to bury anything natural that cures!!!! “Essiac Tea”, apricot seeds, peach seeds, apple seeds, etc Vitamin B16 cures cancer! Check out “A World Without Cancer” by Edward G Griffith! Also the Harry Hoxey Scandle, also The Gerson Therapy!

[@wobblybobengland]

Hats off to you for doing this, it must be a fantastic feeling to bring something back from the dead. My grandfather grew a Scottish variety called Ailsa Craig, and so I grow them too, a variety that was first registered 1925 but thought to have originated around 1895 and is still available as an open pollinated heirloom. It is a completely unremarkable tomato in terms of size and yield but has good disease resistance (even compared to contemporary blight resistant varieties) and the fruit has a near perfect and beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity, and was the standard to which many new varieties were judged throughout the fifties and sixties. Last year my mum bought me a packet from 2007 which she bought for 16p (20 cents) which will keep me going for at least ten years (12 plants a year). It is amazing to me how commercialised the whole world of tomato growing has become. I think I'm always going to stay with this variety alongside cherry tomato (of which I haven't yet really found my standard!) - it is a fantastic variety, as old as the Giant Crimson and has kept going through the years because it was so good. I suppose the holy grail for me were to find a 1925 pack of Ailsa Craig.

[@jeanoconnor3163]

Since the Giant Crimson has changed its flavor over the years I was thinking, probably ALL of our tomatoes have also. I think you should carry some of the pollen from the Giant Crimson to a modern beefsteak and a modern paste tomato and cross pollinate those two tomatoes to see if the addition of the Giant Crimson genes improves them. What do you think?

[@matthewpicard4463]

Now THAT is a good idea

[@IsraelTour]

Great thinking!!!

[@noahmeme2]

I'm planning on crossing it with Italian heirloom from Uprising Seeds. That variety does very well.

[@ShedeasVideos]

Isn't that how it went almost extinct in the first place? Through being crossed with other varieties? After its miraculous 87 year regeneration, it deserves care and preservation. I'm also curious to know how the Giant Crimson changed its flavour over the years. Maybe it did, but.. how do we know? Did I miss something here?

[@demetriuspowell29]

@@ShedeasVideosit went extinct for a reason lol new variants are created old unproductive varieties tend to fall by the wayside

[@Papadoc1000]

I just found this channel and have been eating it up. I love your enthusiasm for knowledge and passing it along. Science meets passion. You have a new customer for next year for sure and I will be sending this info out to some serious gardening friends of mine. Don't let success ruin what you have. Please.

[@botanicalstig]

Almost 2 years later still no updates. Hope this one doesn't get lost to time again

[@ElizabethKudlesky]

Any update on these seeds? I haven't seen them in the catalog

[@cooltimo]

You are a true American hero! I can't WAIT to grow them when seeds are available!!! Thank you Luke!

[@markaxelson5940]

Thank you for doing this difficult selfless act, Luke!

[@azoutlaw7]

My Dad had a 15' x 15' garden area for tomatoes back in the 80's. People came from all over town to buy his tomatoes. We would eat them like apples! These look wonderful! I just subscribed!

[@cheakychic1]

Oh i remember last year waiting for that tomato to grow out...I would love to try a few of those seeds...i'm 64 and i remember my mother's tomato garden they were so beautiful and the flesh was so solid with few seed that i know she saved...I would love to have some of those now...I will have to see what MIgardener has to sell one day Congratulations for bring back a true taste f the past and simpler days

[@lisak9013]

Love love love! Can't wait til the seeds are available to us as well, I reallylook forward to joining in the effort of bringing this variety back into gardens!

[@ellenchappell1574]

I think it is incredible you got those seeds , that old old packet of seeds to produce! Great job. Inspiring

[@deniseview4253]

Beautiful tomato. The color was so deep. I love growing tomatoes. Its my main thing in my garden. Thanks for sharing.

[@RickMitchellProvenanceAndRoots]

This is just SO awesome that you've done this! I still remember watching the video where you'd found the picture frame with those seed packets in it. I'll be paying attention for when you release these seeds and plan on getting at least one packet! Good work, Luke!

[@paigesandy7417]

Only a gardener would appreciate a tomato so much your amazing keep doing what your doing love your channel! 🍅❤️💕

[@Funkyr2010]

I have been following the giant crimson journey for years, love this project so much. Would really like to get my hands on 1 of those seeds to let Holland enjoy this tomato.

[@ryanarmishaw3305]

God I love your integrity. You don't care about the bags of money that people are throwing at you - all you care about is the seeds and getting these heirloom plants back out into the world. You are awesome. I feel so blessed to have found your channel. What a wealth of information. I could watch you talk forever :)

[@michelemack504]

Beautiful tomato, looking forward to growing a few when you have seeds ready, your passion and integrity, is awesome, thank you for everything you share🌱

[@Possumcods]

NOWW THAT'S COOL!!!👊 I've been watching your videos for the past 2yrs. Last spring I ordered over 30 kind of seeds from you. I've never grown anything before then. I now have a good sized vegetable and fruit garden, orchard. This year I'm focusing on propagating 5 different Japanese maple trees. Thanks for putting together exceptional and informative videos.

[@Possumcods]

I had to hit the like button for my comment just because there was another like buttton. Wish I could give this video 10 out of a 5 star rating system👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Awesome Video!!!

[@bentley1960]

you should try watermelon beefsteak. It is a heirloom and very similar. Mine get big enough that one slice will cover a piece of bread. Very meaty and few seeds around the edges.

[@philcoppa]

thanks for the tip, never heard of it

[@RobBackyardGardenerr]

Wow! That’s a beauty! Congrats again on reviving this amazing variety.

[@derekcox6531]

Well done young man! This chapter was so amazing! Love your narrative on the texture and colour and growth of the plant. I was quite shocked that people have threatened you! ...or threaten to steal ? WHat is that about!? As we say back where I’m from “what are people like at all!?” I love your content and you’ve really helped me a lot with becoming a gardener. I never grew plants until just 3 years ago,but all of your advice and “how to” videos have really given me the inspiration to continue even when things don’t go so well in my tiny garden. Keep up the great work! I can’t wait for the day when this tomato variety is available in your shop.

[@mirandadurham5378]

I am really excited to try growing these!! I would love to help bring them back into the gardening world!!!

[@LakeSideGardener]

This series is what brought me to your channel. I love seeing this whole process.

[@bwayne40004]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how this project was going. It is almost like going back in a time machine to get a taste of what life was in the 30s or so. I am glad that one seed germinated.

[@celestekittie]

I can't wait! I still think you should maybe toss a small bonus bag of the seeds in for repeat buyers. Like maybe 5 seeds or so. I'm almost ready to make my 5th purchase from you guys. 😉

[@subarashiiai16]

Super exciting! I've been following the story loosely since last year and I'm amazed at the results! Keep up the good work, and thanks for keeping us in the loop.

[@cararoby1947]

Time to get the pre sale list started Luke...put me down please...lol.. Your excitement is exciting ... Cara in Indiana

[@michaelmorgan383]

Sounds great but try a giant Belgian . They are very fussy and not that prolific and they are more difficult to graft. but they are the best I have ever tasted. I get about 25 to 30 per-season when grafted. Wilts and such will kill them off early. You will get maybe 6-8 if they are not grafted. If you want to grow them without Isolation, Southern seed exposure sells the muslin bags to put around the blossom clusters . Put them on and after the flowers open play switch. the muslin bags are the same ones that we used to buy gold nugget gum in. Good Luck . The wife and I just retired so we opened the back garden back up this year. 450 more sq. feet. .

[@theuniversalhomesteader7155]

I have been waiting for this since you made your first video on this series! I have told so many of my gardener friends about this. You should be famous because of this! So happy you guys took the time and energy to do this. I would love to buy some seeds for our new garden. The new nickname sould be named after you or your channel. Thanks for sharing!

[@ladyhawk6999]

WOW! You are lucky to have the ability to bring back these seeds! As a seed enthusiast, I would LOVE to try a few of them.

[@RunaaSteinamrk]

That big smile of yours definitely put a smile on my face 😀 I'm so excited about the journey of this tomato and so happy that it tastes better than expected 🙂

[@Tanymsun]

Any updates on the Giant Crimson Tomato?

[@dougzwife]

Amazing! This journey of yours has been so interesting to me! I would love it if you brought these back for all! 💕

[@mesquitegroverabbitry4531]

First of all, it's amazing that you found these seeds and were able to germinate/clone even 1 of them. Secondly, giving back to the world for food diversity instead of monetary gain is indescribably amazing. We've started following all of your videos and will begin an aquaponics set up as soon as we can. We live in southern Az and would love to be able to grow and share these with our local community. If/when you reach a point in seed stock, will you be selling them, distributing them, what is your game plan for distributing these amazing seeds? We would love to be added to some kind of "waiting list" if you have one. :) My husband and I are completely speechless at how successful you are with this beautiful plant.

[@kilavolts]

When will seeds be available on the website?

[@mycontainergarden]

Good Work! I really appreciate your knowledge and care put into your videos! Its helping me learn more about gardening! Thank You!

[@christyjohnson6967]

Good goin, Luke! What a great contribution you are making !!!

[@mollysmith6055]

Great update, thank you for sharing the results with us. It is a shame you have had such a crazy response from people threatening to take advantage of you. I will be patient and wait until you are ready and will be happy to purchase some of this beautiful old variety.

[@jannavozar2634]

This is very exciting and fun to watch. Can't wait for a chance to grow it myself.

[@hereswhatshappennin]

So very thrilling, Luke! I have always loved how your enthusiasm is so contagious! Thank you for sharing this journey with your followers!

[@simonepoling6166]

You are just too cute! Embrace the moments. I wish more people find joy in moments that are meant to be celebrated. Every tomatoe... every strawberry... every bean. I’ve been following you for a couple years... started core gardening last year (verdict still not out), bedding out plants (👍🏼), indoor basement gardening (for the most part 👍🏼), vermiculture (👍🏼👍🏼 and if I had more thumbs I would give you more), raised beds and just starting fruit trees on so much of your advice. In Northern Ontari, I estimate we’re about 3 weeks-ish after you. I have had so much fun watching you and learning from you. I get about 80-90% germination rate from your seeds... although my 6 and 4 year old take the actual planting rate down to about 50% ... gentle fingers.... (ummmmm.. not!) so I make sure we plant lots indoors (which they love anyway.) Keep loving life. 🎈🎈

[@rachelball1174]

Thanks so much for the update. That is a gorgeous tomato! Can't wait until we can buy seeds.

[@tiarranelson8252]

When is this comming out? Feels like irs been a few years

[@oracle3d]

I've been wondering the same thing.

[@mistydarrah7558]

"I know I'm usually excited..."😆 haha, it's good you love what you do.

[@simonebourgeois9544]

Watching you harvest & taste your first taste of summer is getting me excited for my own I just discovered yesterday that my heat master tomato has a small tomato growing!

[@Adanos_ger]

Thumbs up for this project.

[@raquela281]

I have been waiting SOO long for this video! And that color..WOW. I literally gasped. Its such a deep red, but definetley not purple or maroon at all. I'm a little envious that you get to taste our grandparents' tomatoes. Looking forward to buying some seed!

[@jchny00]

Exciting!!! I'm looking forward to seeing a raised bed packed full of these beauties!

[@JeanCarloz1]

WOW, I remember way back when you posted the video when you got the seeds, it's so awesome that you are doing this and just to get the tomato back in circulation. You are one of my favorite channels and I wish you all the good luck in your future endeavours.

[@robertlopez972]

Awesome job luke ... cant wait to see more from your channel. The seeds I got from you are doing great and I will comment on your seeds store on my results down here in Texas!

[@pacificnorthwestgardener3511]

Congrats Luke!! Nice to see this happen😀

[@snakelady7489]

OMG this is so exciting! I'm looking forward to trying my hand at growing these. Thank you so much for sharing this journey and for just doing what you do.

[@mindy779]

Beautiful tomato. So healthy and the shine wow. The inside is so different too. I hope you will have seeds soon. Would like to see how it would grow in Florida zone 10.

[@thehomeplatespecial597]

Melinda Schneider me too!

[@VinylToVideo]

Still waiting to acquire seeds. Been following this since first posted. Would be nice to have these rare tomatoes in Canada! Please let me know; don't want to miss out, thanks.

[@heavenlyhelper81]

Thank you so much for bringing these tomatoes back!

[@janpenland3686]

Thanks Luke. Could you put me on the waiting list...if there is one. I really want to grow this tomato and have been anticipating the seed release since you germinated the first one. Much Love

[@reddevil331]

They sound delicious! I think I need to grow a few to see for myself. Keep us posted!

[@malhavickduclayn2547]

Hi, How can I find out more about this tomato and get on a list for possible seed purchase? I start plants and share them out to friends and farmers in my area.

[@jenniferponzini2433]

YAY!!! I've been waiting for this update!!!!

[@brandywvstrong9531]

Any updates ??? 🍅😃🍅

[@LSFprepper]

Any update on when these will be available?

[@SirCracker]

I have been waiting for Ever to be able to add this to my garden, I can’t wait much longer but it looks like it’s totally worth waiting for thank you Luke and your family for bringing this beauty back to life. It is going to find itself a nice comfortable place in my garden and in my family’s garden for generations.

[@budlight924]

Very cool. Cant wait to be able to buy some seeds. love all the product I've bought. Thank you for doing this.

[@wifarmchick7946]

I keep watching the website, will any be available for this years gardens???

[@MsChucklebunny]

Any 2020 updates about this tomato journey?

[@Junzar56]

This has been so amazing to watch you grow these! I can’t wait until they are available!

[@ajc4314]

You've probably heard of seed savers exchange but just in case you haven't, you might look into them to see if they can help you bring this back

[@Sniffl3s-fl]

Super confused the other tomato he tasted was smooth no ribs and now all these have ribs do they change shape from plant to plant?

[@Usonian7]

Update on when seeds will be available?

[@barbsnyder480]

I'm so excited to see this video. Thank you for the share! You gotta be kidding me about the threats....people are sooo coo coo. I just don't understand it all. I'm really happy to see theese plants. My mouth is watering for that beautiful tomato. The color is unusually gorgeous for absolutely sure.and it is artistically beautiful in a way I cannot describe. Wow to think this was the tomatoes of our past blows my mind ..thank you again. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COMPARE THE TWO TOMATOES SIDE BY SIDE TO SEE THE COLOR DIFFERENCE.🍅🍅🍅

[@erdiaz13]

That's exactly what I was thinking too!

[@farnabyurquhart6970]

Considering the video format is only 360p its pretty beautiful

[@trevorfichtner3539]

You getting more this year????? Just got hip this year and REALLY want one of these giant crimson now that you brought them back. That's legendary man. I want some lol.

[@heatherbright7214]

Have you released this tomato yet. I would love to try one.

[@RSJ-Texas]

It is so cool Luke that you are able to bring back a very unique heirloom tomato breed. Hope to grow som of this tomato myself in the future!

[@THECHAOS111]

Any update on the tomatoes?

[@normaaustin845]

Would love to thank you so very much for this gift. I say gift because, I am a gardener at heart. I have been so inspired by your passion for gardening. This tomato would be the most important, beautiful and loved tomato in my garden. If you have any seeds to sell, I would really like to grow it. I have many seeds but, I do have a passion for Heirloom tomatoes. I would be willing to pay for the postage. At 62 years of age, I have one life to live to the fullest and enjoy watching the videos you make. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and kindness. God bless you and yours.

[@jujularue7611]

Contrary to many ancient varieties, this one have little seeds. Usually in nature the flesh is scarce, but loaded with seeds.

[@zepguwlthistle7924]

can't hardly wait. I got so excited last year when I watched your 1st video about it. I sure want one! might think it is funny but I am going to pray for protection of your tomatoes!