| The Blaby Tomato: Introduction Early in 2006 there was an article in the Leicester Mercury about a researcher, Dr Sharp, initially at DMU but now at the University of Lancaster, who had found seeds of a 'Blaby Tomato' in a seed bank and successfully grown them. The variety was one famous in the area grown by Sholts in Blaby between the 1920s and early 1950s. It was renouned at the time for its flavour and people would come from all over the county to buy them especially during world war II. |
A Blaby Tomato in a bowl of other produce.
|
| The Project: Chris Heaton wrote to Dr Sharp on behalf of the Society and was provided with some seeds to try out. All eleven seeds germinated but two plants died. They 'damped off' being close to the edge of the propagator they received a little too much of the condensation on the lid. Of the remaining nine, two good plants were selected and planted in the greenhouse away from other tomatoes (We grow all our tomatoes outside normally). These were to be the seed producers for 2007. Six were given to neighboring allotmenters to try. The last plant was set outside with the other tomatoes to see how it faired as it was said the Sholts grew them under glass. | 
Blaby Tomato seedlings Apr. 2006.
|
|
Results: The results were encouraging. The outdoor plant thrived
and produced well though not as well as the modern outdoor varieties around it.
The tomatoes were sprayed twice in July with Bordeaux Mixture against blight
and once in August. The Blaby tom didn't develop it until right at the end of
the season in Late September! The seed plants were not as productive but the
greenhouse was kept very warm for the chilli and sweet pepper plants in
there. |
Blaby Tomato plant outdoor Jun. 2006.
|
| The tomato: The Blaby tomato fruit was found to be tasty as its reputation said. Though not extra special in comparison to many other organic home grown fruits it certanly holds its own and knocks spots off much supermarket produce. It produced good sized fruit with slightly tougher skin than we're used to now, but a pleasant eating experience nonetheless. Where it really stands out is when cooked. Cooking really seems to bring out the flavour. | 
Blaby Tomatoes greenhouse Aug. 2006.
|
