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Nineveh- Live Plant PRE-ORDER
  • Nineveh- Live Plant PRE-ORDER
  • Nineveh- Live Plant PRE-ORDER
  • Nineveh- Live Plant PRE-ORDER
  • Nineveh- Live Plant PRE-ORDER
Nineveh- Live Plant PRE-ORDER

Solanum lycopersicum

$4.25
Description

No shipping. Pre-orders must be picked up in person in Gainesville, Florida at GROW HUB Nursery 2900 NE 8th Avenue. 

Plants are usually available end of February through early March of 2027 depending on the season. We will email you when your order is ready for pick up. Please do not arrive until you have received our message. 

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A variety from Mosul (formerly Nineveh) Iraq that was collected by Iraqi ex-patriate Aziz Nael who brought it to Baker Creek Seeds who then distributed it to western gardeners. From Baker Creek:

"Conserving and distributing these seeds is important. A main reason is that, with the forcible introduction of US agribusiness interests into Iraq, backed by the US Government, traditional varieties and traditional seed saving practices are disrupted and threatened. Present-day Iraq was the home of the Mesopotamian civilizations, which were possibly the very first societies where humans created a fully-developed agricultural society. Therefore we are looking at links stretching back to the very dawn of agriculture. These Iraqi varieties have more than historic value, however. They represent some very productive and vigorous types that are well suited to the heat and other conditions in which they were selected by generations of traditional farmers and gardeners."

Many accounts of this tomato say it is sour and acidic, best for cooking mostly. But we did taste tests and thought they deserved a lot more accolades than that! Yes they are a more acidic tomato, but still has a nice sweetness, and is both juicy and fleshy. There seems to be enough sugar content that dehydrating could be really great. Skin is quite thick, probably what helps it do well in our climate. Overall has a really nice flavor.
Product details
  • One tomato plant in a 4.5" pot
  • Semi-determinate. Small to medium- sized red slicer
  • 60 days from transplant to harvest
  • Seeds grown in Working Food gardens at GROW HUB in Gainesville, Florida
How to grow

Transplant outdoors once the risk of frost has passed—or earlier if you’re willing to keep an eye on the forecast and cover plants when cold weather threatens. For us in North Central Florida, that's usually end of February through mid March.

When transplanting, plant tomatoes deeply. Remove the lower, tender leaves and bury the stem as deeply as you can, up to just below the lowest remaining branch. Tomatoes will develop roots along their buried stems, creating a stronger, more extensive root system.

Water plants in thoroughly when transplanting and keep them well watered, especially during the first week or two as they establish. Mulch with straw, pine needles, or leaves to conserve moisture and help prevent soil from splashing onto the foliage during rain.

For best results, stake or trellis your plants and remove lower leaves that touch or rest close to the soil. This improves airflow and helps reduce disease problems.

Learn all you need to know about growing tomatoes in our free guide: Homegrown Tomatoes in the Southeast.
How to save seeds

If you can grow a tomato, the hard part is done—saving the seeds is easy!

Harvest fully mature tomatoes, and even better, let them ripen a little longer indoors until they are just slightly overripe, while still edible. Tomatoes are mostly self-pollinating, but not always, so there is always some potential for varieties to cross with one another. To help prevent unwanted crosses, space different varieties as far apart as possible. Or, let nature make a cross for you—you may end up with a great new tomato!

You can save seed from as few as one plant, but saving from more plants is always better for maintaining genetic diversity and keeping your variety healthy over time.

Squeeze the seeds and their surrounding pulp into a jar and let them sit for 24–48 hours, depending on how quickly the fermentation progresses. Stir the mixture once a day and look for a layer of mold to form on the surface—this is normal and part of the process! Once the jelly-like coating around the seeds has broken down, rinse and strain the seeds several times with fresh water. The good, mature seeds will generally sink, while lighter, immature seeds and debris tend to float. Pour off the floating material and continue rinsing until the water runs mostly clear.

Spread the clean seeds out to dry completely on a cloth napkin or coffee filter. Avoid paper towels or newspaper, as the seeds can stick to them. Let the seeds dry for several days, then store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Properly stored tomato seeds can remain viable for many years.

Learn all you need to know about saving tomato seeds in our free guide: Saving Tomato Seeds

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