A Celebration of Jersey Tomatoes at Reed's Farm

Some of the heirloom tomatoes we're growing at Reed's Farm.

August at Reed’s Farm means one thing: Jersey tomatoes. Juicy, sun-warmed, and bursting with flavor, our tomatoes are at their peak - and we’re growing more varieties than ever this season.

We’ve always believed in celebrating what the land gives us, and this year, the tomato is taking center stage. From sandwich slicers to cherry-sized bursts of sweetness, the rows of tomato plants at Reed’s are as diverse as they are delicious.

Our classic lineup includes longtime favorites like Sungolds, those bright yellow cherry tomatoes that taste like summer candy, and Super Sweet 100s, the perfect red cherry tomato for snacking right off the vine. For a pop of color and flavor, Gin Fizz offers marbled gold-and-red flesh that brightens up any salad, while the Striped German brings a similar sunburst hue in a slightly different form. Damsel was chosen with sandwiches in mind - plump, juicy, and just the right size for a hearty summer BLT.

We’ve also planted the classics: Big Beef, our go-to beefsteak variety, and Cherokee Purple, a rich, dusky heirloom that’s a favorite among the farm crew. And we can’t forget Abigail, the picture-perfect bright pink tomato that looks like it came straight out of a storybook.

We’re also experimenting this year, testing out new varieties like the Five Stars grape tomato (our first time growing grapes) and Prudence Purple, an heirloom similar to Cherokee Purple, with deep flavor and beautiful form.

For sauce lovers, we’ve planted San Marzanos, beloved for their rich, dense flesh, and Jersey Devils, a local twist on the sauce tomato. Shaped almost like a pepper and nearly twice the size of a San Marzano, the Jersey Devil just might be the flavor champion in your next simmering pot of sauce.

But the tomatoes we’re most proud of this season are the ones with a story.

Last year, our programming director, Melanie Reed, and program participants saved seeds from two heirloom varieties: Atlantic Prize and Great Divide. These tomatoes were revived by our partner and seed preservationist Jeff Quattrone, founder of Library Seed Bank. This summer, we're growing hundreds of plants from those saved seeds, bringing a cycle of growth, preservation, and community full circle.

So whether you’re picking up a pint at the market, slicing one up for your lunch, or simmering down a sauce, know that every tomato at Reed’s carries a little bit of sunshine with it.