A sample of Contrary Mary’s heirloom tomatoes (thanks, Virginia!)

Welcome to the NEW fruits and veggies page!!! It seems to me that a lot of people are wanting to “get down to basics” lately, and kinda want to know where their food comes from. Well, nothin’ says “home grown and healthy” more than somethin’ ya grow yourself, right??! Well, Contrary Mary has some YUMMY and ENTICING plants that, if you handle ‘em right, will give you back healthy and delicious treats for your whole family (and often your neighbor’s family too!)

As always, ground preparation is essential to success. We at Contrary Mary’s always believe that ORGANIC RULES!, so for any of the following plants be sure to incorporate some good mushroom compost or aged manure into the planting area first. They all need well-drained soil and a goodly amount of sun, so choose your site carefully.

Lastly, but maybe most importantly, remember to be PATIENT (after all, it IS a virtue!)!!! Some of these plants take several years to produce fruit, so make sure you’re in it for the long haul; believe me, it IS worth it! Think of how AWESOME it will be when you can show your kids that THIS is where fruits and veggies come from (not wrapped in cellophane and devoid of taste!) We will have more info at the Farm on how to grow and train specific varieties; we too are planting some so maybe we can “grow” together!

As an aside, we are planning on making our heirloom tomato/wine/cheese tasting an ANNUAL event in August, so check back with us regarding specifics (and don’t wait TOO long ‘cause it’s a SELLOUT!!!)

Tomatoes | Peppers | Apples | Plums, Peaches, and Cherries | Pears | Raspberries | Grapes

Plant Name	Habit/Size	Container	Price
Tomatoes
Tomato ‘Alaska’	Semi-determinate	4½” pot	$3.95
(63 days) This Russian Heirloom produces brilliant red salad type cherry tomatoes (large cherry) on short to medium stocky plants. Great for cool season locations (like ours) and great in pots!
Tomato ‘Amish Paste’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(85 days) This Heirloom produces Oxheart shaped 8-12 oz tomatoes; they aren’t really paste-like ‘cause they have seeds and are juicy! It is Aunt Ruthie’s FAVORITE, and we grow it from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Aunt Ginny’s Purple’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(80 days) This is a 12 oz to 2 lb Beefsteak Heirloom that is deep pink (not really purple), resists cracking, and “cuts & tastes like filet mignon”!! WOW!
Tomato ‘Aunt Ruby’s German Green’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(80 days) This is a spicy and sweet 16 oz GREEN beefsteak Heirloom that is a pick of Chef Rick Bayless! Try something different! A favorite of Aunt Ruth, our tomato guru!
Tomato ‘Black Cherry’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(64 days) This one produces 1” round deep purple to mahogany brown fruits; the only true “black” Cherry! Yummy!
Tomato ‘Black Krim’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
This Heirloom produces 1 lb round, violet-brown beefsteaks that are intense, exotic and acidic! Pick it before it’s too ripe (when half green); a great fresh eater!
Tomato ‘Brandywine’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(90-100 days) This is one of Contrary Mary’s FAVES! It is a 1-2 lb pink beefsteak that is considered THE standard for Heirlooms! A moderate yielder and very disease resistant; grown from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Cherokee Purple’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(85 days) An 8-12 oz heirloom that is dusty pink with green shoulders and purplish tinged flesh; has a deep, rich taste and is disease resistant. A WINNER at Contrary Mary’s tasting, and Monica’s FAVE; grown from organic seeds!
Tomato ‘Chocolate Cherry’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(70 days) This prolific cherry tomato produces 1” reddish brown fruits that resist cracking and can be picked and ripened off vine without sacrificing flavor!!! A Contrary Mary taste test WINNER!
Tomato ‘Chocolate Stripes’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(79 days) Another great “black” tomato, this one has 3-4” mahogany colored fruit with olive green stripes; very earthy and full-bodied and great on sandwiches!
Tomato ‘Crnkovic Yugoslavian’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(85 days) This 1-2 lb pink beefsteak heirloom is a high yielder, disease resistant, and has a deep rich sweet taste. A winner at our tomato/wine/cheese tasting and a new fave!
Tomato ‘Dr. Carolyn’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(75 days) A big, vigorous very disease resistant plant that produces 1 oz. pale ivory to deep yellow cherry tomatoes—stunning and delicious! Has strong deep flavor, both sweet and tart and matures early!
Tomato ‘Dr. Lyle’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(90 days) This beefsteak has Angora-type (gray-green and fuzzy!) foliage and produces large deep pink fruit that is intensely rich; high producer and extremely disease resistant!
Tomato ‘Dr. Wyche’s Yellow’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(80 days) This beefsteak produces deep golden 10 oz to 1lb unblemished and smooth fruit that is one of the best tasting yellow tomatoes ever! Meaty, deep and rich taste and a good producer!
Tomato ‘Druzba’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(82 days) This Bulgarian Heirloom has 8 oz to 1lb deep red globes that grow in clusters of 3 to 5. Balanced taste, a high yielder, and ideal for all gardeners!
Tomato ‘Eva Purple Ball’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(70 days) This Heirloom from the Black Forest region in Germany produces perfectly shaped, 6-9 oz cherry red juicy globes; a high yielder, excellent disease resistance, and a great all purpose tomato! It was grown from organic seeds. A really perfect tomato and a new fave of Aunt Ruth and Contrary Mary!
Tomato ‘Flamme’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(70 days) This French Heirloom produces 2-3 oz persimmon orange fruits in abundance. A perfect blend of sweet, tart and fruity and gorgeous to boot, one tomato expert says “this tomato can do no wrong”!!!
Tomato ‘Garden Peach’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(75 days) This adorable Heirloom was introduced to American gardens in 1862, and produces 2 oz light yellow fruits that actually look like little peaches! A prolific producer, a favorite of all here, and a WINNER at our tasting! It was grown from organic seed.
Tomato ‘German Head’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
85-90 days) This dark pink beefsteak produces 10-12 oz fruits with very high yield. Has a creamy texture (like ‘Lillian’s Yellow that I LOVE!) and smooth and luscious!
Tomato ‘German Red Strawberry’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(80 days) This one produces 10 oz 31/2” long deep red heart shaped fruits. A great sandwich tomato; one expert called it “one of the best-tasting tomatoes I’ve ever grown”! Has solid meat, few seeds, and not overly juicy.
Tomato ‘Green Zebra’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(78 days) This 2-4 oz green striped heirloom is Contrary Charlie’s FAVE (and actually all of us here LOVE it!) The taste is described as “zippy” and “tangy” and actually has different flavors depending on when picked—try it still green (not quite ripe) AND tinged with yellow (ripe)! It was a WINNER hare at our tasting; grown from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Italian Heirloom’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(75 days) This one produces lots of 12-16oz meaty, pear-shaped fruits that have good acidity and are well-balanced. Awesome for canning!
Tomato ‘Julia Child’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
This Beefsteak produces 4” luscious pink fruits; was a big winner at Tomatofest Tasting and was grown from organic seeds!
Tomato ‘Lillian’s Yellow Heirloom’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(98 days) This heirloom from Tennessee produces clear yellow 1lb globe-shaped beefsteaks that are creamy and rich with outstanding citrus flavor; not a high yielder and produces few seeds. Also very disease resistant! A fave of Contrary Mary; creamy, delicious, and really pretty!
Tomato ‘Matt’s Wild Cherry’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(70 days) A very early, very prolific producer of cardinal red marble sized gems; excellent and WILL self seed (hence the “wild”!) and AWESOME for fresh eating and salsa. A Chef Bayless favorite; grown from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Mule Team’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(78 days) An American heirloom that produces perfectly shaped 9-12 oz red globes with well balanced flavor—said to be “the perfect tomato for an Heirloom skeptic”! Disease resistant too!
Tomato ‘New Big Dwarf’	Determinate	4½” pot	$3.95
(Don’t ya just LOVE the oxymoron?) 60 days An heirloom created before 1915, it produces 8-12oz deep pink tomatoes on short stocky plants—great for containers!
Tomato ‘Paul Robeson’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(75 days) A “black” tomato that is a Russian Heirloom and produces medium sized almost perfect fruits said to be “sweet but tangy” with the richness that all “black” tomatoes possess! A Tomatofest Tasting winner and Chef Bayless pick; grown from organic seeds! A new favorite of all of us here and a really beautiful tomato!
Tomato ‘Pink Ping Pong’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(75 days) An American Heirloom that’s a heavy yielder of 3-4 oz  ping pong sized fruits that grow in clusters. Sweet and juicy with no blemishes, rarely cracks, and no blossom end rot too; grown from organic seeds. Recommended by customers (thanks Rick and Kim!).
Tomato ‘Principe Borghese’	Determinate	4½” pot	$3.95
(75 days) This small and compact plant produces plum shaped 1 ½” long fruits that are PERFECT for drying! Meaty with little juice and few seeds; a great producer!
Tomato ‘Pruden’s Purple’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(75 days) This heirloom produces 10-16oz pink (not purple!) beefsteaks with deep red flesh; compares to ‘Brandywine’ but reputedly a heavier and earlier cropper. Called “excellent”, “savory”, “luscious”, and “sweet” and is a Chef Bayless fave; grown from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Purple Russian’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(75 days) This Ukraine heirloom has 6oz plum or egg shaped dark red/violet brown fruits that are exceptional for salads, tomato sauces, canning and salsa! Another great “black” tomato that is a real looker too! One tomato expert says “a tomato worth living for”!!!
Tomato ‘Red Rose’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(85 days) An 11oz globe type tomato that is a cross between ‘Brandywine’ and ‘Rutgers’ and is described as “as good as a tomato gets”! Disease resistant, a big producer, and awesome for sandwiches; grown from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Russian Big Roma’	Indeterminate	4½'” pot	$3.95
(85 days) This one produces deep red very large (2x4”) plum tomatoes that are perfect for sauce!
Tomato ‘Ruth’s Perfect’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(80 days) I had to try this one for our tomato expert Aunt Ruth! (We’ll see if it lives up to its name!) It is a Wisconsin hand me down that produces 2-3” , 7 oz perfectly round red yummy fruit…try it and tell Aunt Ruth what you think!!!
Tomato ‘San Marzano’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(80 days) This Italian Heirloom bright red plum is considered “essential”; is THE standard for canning and sauces—just ask my customers who make it a sell out immediately! We grow it from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Stupice’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(52 days) This Czech heirloom is EXTREMELY early and produces deep red 3-4oz globes; prolific producer and sweet and tangy (like a mini beefsteak!). Received a great rating at Contrary Mary’s tasting and is THE standard for an early tomato! We grow it from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Thessaloniki’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
This Greek heirloom produces baseball sized perfect red fruits that are resistant to cracks, spot and sunburn. A WINNER at Contrary Mary’s tasting and a personal favorite of Contrary Mary Herself! We grow it from organic seeds.
Tomato ‘Virginia Sweets’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
This American heirloom is an AWESOME red-gold bi-color that produces beautiful 1lb beefsteaks in abundance! Intriguing looking and tastes sweet and rich!!! A winner at our tomato/wine/cheese tasting and one of the most beautiful tomatoes I’ve ever seen!
Tomato ‘Yellow Pear’	Indeterminate	4½” pot	$3.95
(78 days) I had so many customers tell me how wonderful this one is, I just had to try it! This is a true heirloom (pre 1800’s!) that produces TONS of “garden candy”—small yellow to golden approximately 2” long pear shaped cuties. Described as “the life of the salad” and perfect for enticing kids to try!
Peppers
Pepper ‘Early Jalapeno’	Compact	4½” pot	$3.95
(60-65 days) This one produces 3 ½” x 1 ½” sausage shaped fruits in abundance. 10-15 days earlier than regular Jalapenos. It starts deep green and matures to red; we had TONS of them even last summer (2009) with all the cool and wet weather! Very hot at 25000-30000 Scoville units!
Pepper ‘Fooled You’ Jalapeno	27” ht	4½” pot	$3.95
(65 days) A customer brought me one of these plants and they are AWESOME! VERY flavorful but without the heat of regular Jalapenos; perfect for sauces, salsa and stir fry!
Pepper ‘Giant Marconi’	30”ht	4½” pot	$3.95
(63 days) A 2001 All American Selection winner, this produces one of the biggest Italian-type sweet peppers anywhere! Peppers start green and mature to red, are 8” long and sweetest when red; OUTSTANDING grilled or roasted! VERY high yield!
Pepper ‘Golden Cayenne’	Compact	4½” pot	$3.95
(72 days) This one produces HOT clear lemon yellow slightly curved peppers 4” long and 1” wide. VERY pretty and a high yielder! Pretty hot at 20000-30000 Scoville units!
Pepper ‘King of the North’	28”ht	4½” pot	$3.95
(65-70 days) We grew this Sweet bell pepper last year (2009) and it was AWESOME! It bears huge (6” x 4”) blocky green peppers maturing to red. Excellent for short season areas like ours; VERY prolific producers!
Pepper ‘Tennessee Cheese’	Compact	4½” pot	$3.95
(75-80 days) This ancient heirloom from Spain (seeds recovered by a couple in Tennessee!) produces 4” round or apple-shaped fruits with flattened bottoms and thick delicious skin.  Perfect for stuffing or use it fresh like a bell, pickle it or dry it for paprika!
Apples
Malus ‘Akane’	12-15’ ht	#10	$59.95
This early to mid season Apple (mid-September) produces small to medium bright cherry red fruit with juicy, crisp white flesh. A good keeper, drier, and noted dessert apple; good resistance to scab. Use ‘Wealthy’ as a pollinator.
Malus ‘Freedom’	12-15’ ht	#10	$59.95
This mid to late season Apple (late-September) produces large red fruit that is crisp, juicy, and somewhat tart…an all around awesome apple for eating, sauces, or juices, and very vigorous and productive! Immune to Apple scab and resistant to mildew, rust and fireblight. Requires pollinator; use Honeycrisp, Liberty, or September Wonder.
Malus ‘Honeycrisp’	12-15’ ht	#10	$69.95
Now THIS is one absolutely FABULOUS apple (and Contrary Mary’s FAVE!) It is mid to late season, exceptionally crisp, juicy, and sweet but well balanced. Perfect for fresh eating and is a long keeper; also resistant to apple scab and fire blight! It sometimes exhibits leaf mottling but is NOT an indicator of a disease or an insect problem!!! Use ‘Liberty’ or ‘September Wonder Fuji’ for a pollinator. VERY limited supply!
Malus ‘Liberty’	12-15’ ht	#10	$59.95
This is a mid-season apple that produces an apple similar to McIntosh but is more tart and crisper! It is one of the easiest apples to grow and train, is resistant to apple scab and rust, and never needs spraying! A GREAT keeper too! Use ‘Honeycrisp,’ ‘Freedom,’ ‘Wealthy’ or ‘September Wonder’ as pollinators.
Malus ‘September Wonder Fuji’	12-15’ ht	#10	$59.95
This sport of ‘Red Fuji’ bears fruit mid-season that is bright red, crisp and juicy…great for fresh eating and a long keeper! Use ‘Liberty,’ ‘Freedom,’ ‘Wealthy’ or ‘Honeycrisp’ as pollinators.
Malus ‘Wealthy’	12-15’ ht	#10	$59.95
This old variety (from 1860) was developed in Minnesota and was my Gram’s very FAVORITE apple! It produces striped red fruit (gorgeous!) that is tart and is great for fresh eating or cooking! An excellent pollinator and is resistant to fire blight, scab, and cedar apple rust. It bears fruit at a very young age, and it’s best to thin it early to increase harvest in future years. Use ‘Akane,’ ‘Liberty,’ or ‘September Wonder’ as pollinators; VERY limited availability!
Plums, Peaches, and Cherries
Prunus ‘Alderman’	10-15’ ht	#10	$69.95
This plum produces large burgundy-red soft and sweet fruit that is great for fresh eating or preserves. Produces the second season after planting and is also beautiful and makes a superb ornamental tree. A Clingstone type that ripens late August; use ‘Toka’ as pollinator. VERY limited!
Prunus ‘Toka’	15’ ht	#10	$59.95
This Plum hails from the South Dakota Experimental Station and was introduced in 1911; it’s one TOUGH and PRODUCTIVE cookie! The plums are apricot in color and have a complex flavor that is sweet and somewhat spicy. An excellent pollinator; plant with another ‘Toka’ or ‘Alderman.’ A Clingstone type that ripens in mid-August.
Prunus ‘Saturn’	12-15’ ht	#10	$69.95
This GOURMET Peach is a variety of white Peach developed in Asia. It produces STUNNING double pink flowers in early May. The fruit is donut shaped, is a freestone type, and ripens in July to early August. They are self-pollinating but ya KNOW ya need at least of couple of these yummy beauties! VERY LIMITED!
Prunus ‘Evans Bali’	15’ ht	#10	$75.00
This Cherry is technically classed as a ‘sour cherry,’ but the deep dark red 1” fruits are MUCH sweeter than other sour cherries and are perfect for baking and fresh eating…YUM! (Ya know, Cherry Pie is Contrary Mary’s FAVORITE dessert…!!!) They ripen in August and there is no need for a pollinator (self-fruitful). VERY, VERY limited!
Pears
Pyrus ‘Clapps’	20’ ht	#10	$69.95
This delicious pear produces fruit in late August that is lemon yellow with bright red cheeks and is juicy and fine textured. It bears fruit annually and requires a pollinator (use ‘Seckel’). FYI: All Pear trees require more pollinators and bees due to the small amounts of nectar they produce; therefore, 20-50% of the trees should be pollinators. They also all have lovely pure white flowers in May (great as ornamental too!)
Pyrus ‘Seckel’	20’ ht	#10	$69.95
This Pear produces fruits that are small, russet colored and sweet and spicy; great for cooking, canning, and just eating! They ripen in August and September; blight resistant too! Use ‘Clapps’ as pollinator.
Raspberries
Rubus ‘Fall Gold’	3-4’ ht	#2	$13.95
This is a yellow fruited Autumn Raspberry; beautiful sweet, medium sized fruits in September with good yield. Raspberries may be planted in full sun to partial shade; they like adequate moisture when young but do not want wet feet! After they are established, Autumn raspberries should be pruned to near ground level in March.
Rubus ‘Hertitage’	3-4’ ht	#2	$13.95
This Raspberry bears medium sized bright red fruit twice; first crop is mid-July, second crop is September.
Grapes
Vitis ‘Concord Seedless’ Grape	Grape vine	#1	$13.95
Yummy blue-black clusters of seedless grapes that are great for jams, jellies, or just eating! All grapes are self-fruitful (but why not try AT LEAST a couple!) Plant in as much sun as possible and they REQUIRE a well-drained soil! Also, all grapes must be pruned annually!
Vitis ‘Edelweiss’	Grape vine	#1	$13.95
This one, developed by the University of Minnesota, is very cold hardy and extremely disease resistant! It produces greenish white grapes with high sugar contents making them awesome for desserts or wine!
Vitis ‘Himrod’ Grape	Grape vine	#1	$13.95
This is an EXCELLENT seedless white; one of the hardiest and ripens a month earlier than ‘Concord!’
Vitis ‘Reliance’ Grape	Grape vine	#1	$13.95
This red seedless grape lives up to its name both in production and quality!!! It is outstanding for both fresh eating and juice!