Written by: Marge Vorndam, Emeritus Pueblo County Master Gardener, 1995
Gardeners enjoy the variety of tomatoes that are available in today’s world; where tomatoes are found from the cold climes of the Arctics to the heat of the Tropics. Tomatoes first grew as wild berries in the Andes of South America and spread through the cultures of surrounding peoples. In Mexico, the small wild yellow orb was adopted by 500 B.C. and began its long history of cultivation and physical alterations that have resulted in the thousands of tomato varieties available worldwide today.
Historical records vary as to how and when the tomato first made it to Europe, but as explorers moved between the old and new worlds, this plant eventually traveled with them. One interesting fact that touched its history is that tomatoes are in the botanic family, Solanaceae, that shares its origins with the Deadly Nightshades. These plants contain Atropine, a psychoactive drug. This fact tainted tomato’s initial acceptance in Europe as Nightshades are known for their poisonous properties. However, with time and use, culinary acceptance grew and by the mid-1700s, it was widely introduced as a popular addition to many favorite dishes throughout the world.
Photo from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/are_bumble_bees_causing_my_tomato_flowers_to_fall_off
The first cultivars developed are still known as Heirlooms and remain a stalwart favorite of many gardeners. These varieties include Stupice, Brandywine and Mortgage Lifter, among many others. Stainbrook, D. 2024. Guides to Tomato and Pepper Growth Characteristics. Heathglen’s Farm to Jar.
https://farmtojar.com/2013-heirloom-tomato-and-pepper-varieties-heathglen-mn-farmers-mar kets/
There are currently no genetically modified tomatoes available for market at grocers, although several are under consideration. In 2024, the first GMO cultivars have been offered for sale to home gardeners.
Woodruff, S. 2024. Gardeners can now grow a genetically modified purple tomato made with snapdragon DNA. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/06/1228868005/purple-tomato-gmo-gard eners (audio)
One topic related to tomatoes in our area where elevation is an issue, are the trials underway by many dedicated researchers in high altitudes around Colorado. You can find them and other area sources for high altitude tested seeds here:
https://www.pennandcordsgarden.com/the-cool-list.html
I hope that you will experiment with high altitude tomato seeds, as I have, and find just the right tasty one to grow at your location.