Comments on: Where to Buy (Recommended Vendors) http://www.settfest.com/2009/01/where-to-buy-recommended-vendors/ The annual South East Texas Tomato Festival (SETTFest) is a gathering of tomato growers and friends who want to celebrate, grow, and sample Heirloom tomatoes. Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:13:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bill http://www.settfest.com/2009/01/where-to-buy-recommended-vendors/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Bill Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:00:28 +0000 http://www.settfest.com/?p=194#comment-75 By way of introduction, I don't live in Texas. Was born in Austin when my mom and dad attended UT, but only lived there 2 years before moving to MS, then VA, now in Indiana. My daughter lives in Austin and we visit a few times a year. Anyway, the seed vendors listed above are without question the best. Another vendor worthy of notice is Gourmet Seed International in Tatum, New Mexico http://www.gourmetseed.com/ They sell tomato seeds grown by Robins such as Bear Creek and Black Master. I ordered Bear Creek seeds this winter by talking to the owner personally on a cell phone. He very patiently answered all my questions and even initiated discussion of other topics of horticultural interest. Nice fellow. The seeds came in a vacuum packed foil packet and there were far more seeds than advertised. I got nearly 100% germination and the seedlings are strong. Two springs ago (2007) on a visit to Austin, I found Merced plants even after they'd been discontinued, and last spring (2008), I found JD's Special C-Tex plants at Wal*Mart on Ben White at I-35. I read yesterday at GardenWeb that H.E.B. Plus in Kyle has JD's Special C-Tex for a buck a plant! Cheap. Sent some Indian Stripe seeds to a fellow near San Marcus earlier this year, and he reports at Dave's Garden that it was the first plant to set fruit. I'm looking forward to visiting Austin June 30 or thereabouts and can't wait to see fresh vintage tomatoes hopefully still in abundance ... although I guess it'll be gettin' kinda hot by then. Oh well, if no fresh tomatoes available, I'll just have to drown my sorrows at Maria's Taco Express's patio on Manchaca or tool over to Chueys for grub and suds. Bill By way of introduction, I don’t live in Texas. Was born in Austin when my mom and dad attended UT, but only lived there 2 years before moving to MS, then VA, now in Indiana. My daughter lives in Austin and we visit a few times a year.

Anyway, the seed vendors listed above are without question the best. Another vendor worthy of notice is Gourmet Seed International in Tatum, New Mexico http://www.gourmetseed.com/

They sell tomato seeds grown by Robins such as Bear Creek and Black Master.

I ordered Bear Creek seeds this winter by talking to the owner personally on a cell phone. He very patiently answered all my questions and even initiated discussion of other topics of horticultural interest. Nice fellow.

The seeds came in a vacuum packed foil packet and there were far more seeds than advertised. I got nearly 100% germination and the seedlings are strong.

Two springs ago (2007) on a visit to Austin, I found Merced plants even after they’d been discontinued, and last spring (2008), I found JD’s Special C-Tex plants at Wal*Mart on Ben White at I-35. I read yesterday at GardenWeb that H.E.B. Plus in Kyle has JD’s Special C-Tex for a buck a plant! Cheap.

Sent some Indian Stripe seeds to a fellow near San Marcus earlier this year, and he reports at Dave’s Garden that it was the first plant to set fruit. I’m looking forward to visiting Austin June 30 or thereabouts and can’t wait to see fresh vintage tomatoes hopefully still in abundance … although I guess it’ll be gettin’ kinda hot by then.

Oh well, if no fresh tomatoes available, I’ll just have to drown my sorrows at Maria’s Taco Express’s patio on Manchaca or tool over to Chueys for grub and suds.

Bill

]]> By: Sherri http://www.settfest.com/2009/01/where-to-buy-recommended-vendors/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Sherri Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:21:00 +0000 http://www.settfest.com/?p=194#comment-17 I LOVE all the great info!!!! I work at a retail garden center, and am known as the "veggie girl". Now I have help, I can send people to your site for even more info. This is great!!! I LOVE all the great info!!!! I work at a retail garden center, and am known as the “veggie girl”. Now I have help, I can send people to your site for even more info. This is great!!!

]]> By: ReedYates http://www.settfest.com/2009/01/where-to-buy-recommended-vendors/comment-page-1/#comment-12 ReedYates Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:30:28 +0000 http://www.settfest.com/?p=194#comment-12 Everyone should visit Laurel's Heirloom Tomatoes at www.heirloomtomatoplants.com/. Laurel has a fantastic selection of available varieties. The plants are a bit on the expensive side of the ledger, but she has varieties you won't see anywhere else. The website is marvelous and service is first rate. I highly recommend Laurel to all tomato fanatics. Reed Yates Ft. Worth, TX Everyone should visit Laurel’s Heirloom Tomatoes at
http://www.heirloomtomatoplants.com/. Laurel has a fantastic selection of available varieties. The plants are a bit on the expensive side of the ledger, but she has varieties you won’t see anywhere else. The website is marvelous and service is first rate. I highly recommend Laurel to all tomato fanatics.

Reed Yates
Ft. Worth, TX

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