With a 6,000 square-foot greenhouse, Michael and Mary have been growing 24 varieties of tomato since March. Most of which are of a heirloom variety - plants that have been grown for generations without being modified. Some heirlooms have been in families or communities for hundreds of years and are a part of their history.

Unlike large-scale productions that are harvested mechanically, heirlooms are limited in quantity and cannot be harvested in such manners. So they are best used in smaller scale gardens such as home gardens. They don’t have much of a consistent look and some may even look a little strange at first glance. Though most believe, they all have a pleasing taste and texture that is better than their hybrid replacements. Another benefit to heirloom plants is their resistance to local disease and insects, if they have been grown in the same location through their generations. However, there are many opinions on heirloom plants in general, and some scientists suggest that heirloom tomatoes are no more natural than commercial ones.

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