Hillbilly – Bicolour beefsteak tomato with tropical sweetness
What makes Hillbilly special?
Hillbilly tomato seeds give a beautiful beefsteak tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) that combines orange and red tones in a striking eating experience. A great choice if you want to grow tomatoes from seed with both wow factor and sweetness.
Background and name
Hillbilly is an old heirloom from West Virginia in the USA. It gets its folksy name from the region where it has been grown for generations.
Appearance and growth habit
A tall-growing (indeterminate) variety that needs side shoots removed. The fruits are large (300–600 grams) and rounded, with beautiful red marbling in the orange flesh.
Flavour and uses of Hillbilly
Sweet, almost fruity and low in acidity – perfect sliced for a salad or the grill, or simply eaten as it is with a little salt.
Ripening time, resistance and storage
Ripens after about 80 days. Best in a greenhouse. The fruits are delicate and should be eaten fresh.
Pollination tips
Gently shake the flower trusses at flowering if you grow in a greenhouse.
How to grow Hillbilly
Sow in March–April. Plant out in a greenhouse or a very warm spot. Tie in and remove side shoots regularly. Ripens about 80 days after planting out.
Price is for 10 tomato seeds
Sow in seed compost and keep the compost lightly moist until the seeds germinate. Pot on into larger pots of nutrient-rich compost once the seedlings have their first true leaves. Harden off before planting out. Does best in a greenhouse or a warm spot outdoors. Give support, remove side shoots regularly and water evenly for the best results.
