Tomatoes: organic, start from seed, buy from the nursery?

[slicings]

For the last few years I started with seedlings for my tomatoes, but I'm thinking about starting some from seeds this year. I start most of my garden plants from seed anyway, but I was always taught to buy tomatoes seedlings. I think I was taught that to make sure that I had at least a few healthy plants in the garden. I've bought my seed starting soil already, and within a few weeks I'll start my seeds.

I'll still plant a few seedlings I buy from our local "plant lady" just to make sure I have a few healthy plants. What can I say, old habits die hard.

 

[Mickypoo]

I'd buy seedlings, but not from typical Walmart type places (unless they are selling a good organic company's heirloom plants). I'd probably check-out online nurseries, and as I said, get some good heirloom stock. I find that they're usually better quality plants with better flavour. I've been going to an Aussie nursery www.diggers.com.au, but probably no good to you if you're in the US.

 

[happyflowerlady]

I usually do a mix of both types. Lowes has a good variety of healthy starts, so I like to get mine there, but if you like heirloom and more of the old fashioned, unusual tomatoes, then you need to buy seed for those. I had Cherokee Purple and they have a lot of flavor, and awesome color. I saved some seeds, and am planting those for this year. I also looked on eBay and got some Sausage tomatoes, like a Roma, but longer and larger. I am trying a smaller dark purple tomato that is between a cherry and a Roma in size. It is called Indigo Rose. The pictures of it are awesome, here it is !

 

[headfullofbees]

You are less likely to infest your plot with disease if you grow tomatoes from seeds you have saved.