Tuckers – Established in 1831 and based in Ashburton, Devon this is a very workman-like catalogue, mostly text with a few colour-page inserts but with lots of interesting vegetable and salad seed varieties to choose from. Ordering is by the usual phone, fax, email, web or post. P&P for seeds is £1 for orders up to £25; free on orders over £25.
There are 37 tomato varieties on offer. The tomato section is organised into 6 colour choices: red, yellow-orange, pink-purple-black, green, white, and multi-coloured.
In the red corner: Shirley F1, Vanessa F1, Roterno RZ F1, Carousel RZ F1 hybrid, Big Boy, Alicante, Super Suncherry F1, Gardeners Delight, Moneymaker, Roma Improved VF, Ovata RZ F1, Maskota, Amoroso RZ F1, Cheramy RZ F1, Mini Charm F1, Floridity F1, Sweet Olive F1, Country Taste F1, Shady Lady F1, Diplom F1*, Moneymaker*, Mecano*, Gardeners Delight*, Beefsteak*, San Marzano*, Red Cherry*. ( * Organic seed.)
In the yellow-orange corner: Golden Sunrise, Golden Cherry, Caro Rich, Tumbling Tom
In the pink-purple-black corner: Pink Brandy Wine, Black Russian, Black Cherry
In the green: Green Zebra
In the white: White Wonder
Multi-coloured: Pineapple (Ananas), Tigerella
The RZ refers to Rijik Zwann UK Ltd . The Tuckers catalogue explains; “We have lots of new introductions this year may of which are from RZ – we are thrilled to be able to offer these, as in our opinion the quality of the seed is second to none, and has been welcomed into our growers range over the past season. With this range we are offering the very latest breeding and varieties with the best disease resistances, in short professional quality seed for the home gardener“. All seeds sourced from RZ are referred to as being for “greenhouse growing”.
Apart from the above, varieties that caught my eye included:
Shady Lady F1 : determinate variety produces fruits on a sturdy vine with few leaves and has a fantastic flavour
Caro Rich : large beefsteak, orange fruits with a level of Vitamin A ten times higher than in most tomatoes. Very nice sweet flavour. Good productivity.
White Wonder: large vigorous plant which produces white skinned fruits which ripen to cream. The 5cm white flesh fruits are exceptionally sweet.
Pineapple: large 13cm yellow/red striped beefsteak tomato with a rich, fruity and sweet flavour.
