Home Grown In Illinois

10/15/2026

10/13/2026

Red Riot Tomato

Red Riot is a cherry tomato variety selected by Bill Jeffers. The plants are indeterminate and produce red cherry fruits that don't seem to split often, even when watering isn't consistent.

These plants are highly productive, but they also require a lot of support. They are indeterminate and grow tall and spread very wide, so please give them plenty of room. Otherwise, they will happily choke out their neighboring plants like they own the place.

The production on this variety is impressive. These fruits would be an excellent choice for market growers because they have a good shelf life and the plants seem to have an almost endless supply of tomatoes. There also appears to be some late blight resistance, which is always something I appreciate seeing in a tomato.

The fruits have more of a classic tomato flavor rather than being extremely sweet. If you prefer a cherry tomato that tastes like an actual tomato instead of a piece of candy, this one may be right up your alley.

I have grown many fruits created and selected by Bill Jeffers and have never been disappointed. I have a great deal of respect for the work he has done with his varieties, and I am happy to be able to offer some of them here.

To find out more about Bill and his varieties you can find him at his facebook group "Rosedale Tomato Works".

10/11/2026

Venus Tomato

Venus is one of those tomatoes that almost didn’t make it.
Created by Steve Whiteaker of Double Helix Farms, Venus came from a cross between an obscure heirloom heart variety and a European striped variety.

Steve spent about three years growing, selecting, and working toward stabilizing it when he was suddenly struck by a severe case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. While he was in the hospital, Steve had one request: Save the seeds from this plant! Even if everything else in the garden had to be lost, he wanted Venus saved.

Thankfully, it was.

Venus produces clusters of beautifully striped purple heart-shaped fruits with outstanding heirloom flavor. The plants are indeterminate with wispy foliage and tend to ripen in the later part of the midseason. Because of that, this may not be the best choice for outdoor growers much farther north than Wisconsin.

This is another one of those tomatoes Steve continues to grow for himself every year, which says a lot about a variety that he could have easily lost. It is absolutely delicious! I am incredibly grateful that he trusted me with his work and allowed Venus to be shared beyond his own garden. This is the first time Venus has been made publicly available.

You can learn more about Steve and the story behind his work in the blog section on my website.

10/10/2026

Anamas el la Agua Tomato

A wonderful creation by Ongweh Ias of Good Mind Seeds, Anamas el la Agua came from a cross between a Guatemalan heirloom and a beefsteak. The result is one delicious tomato.

These medium-sized beefsteaks load up on indeterminate potato leaf vines and pack a fantastic combination of sweet and tart flavor. The fruits ripen green, without the earthy flavor that can sometimes come with green-when-ripe tomatoes. When fully ripe, they will show a pink blush on the blossom end, giving you a good indication that it's ready to enjoy.

The plant also showed some resistance to blight in my garden. It handled the high heat and humidity without struggling to set fruit and continued producing when the weather was less than cooperative.

This is one of those tomatoes that checks a lot of boxes for me. Great flavor, an unusual appearance, a productive plant, and the ability to keep going when the garden conditions aren't exactly ideal.

10/08/2026

October 20th!

These delicious treasures plus many more will be available at our website!

09/22/2026

✨ Ziggy tomato Sneak Peek ✨

Ziggy is a tomato created by Steve Whiteaker of Double Helix Farms.

Indeterminate and wispy foliage plants. Producing delicious clusters of elongated and pointed fruits that ripen mid season. Ziggy tomato doesn’t struggle to set fruit in high heat and humidity. Making this a great variety for market growers.

The skin doesn’t crack easily but is pleasantly crisp to eat. Has a wonderful hanging or shelf time. Bright, well balanced flavor is delicious eaten fresh or cooked. I personally loved its versatility, using this variety for salads and tomato soup.

Coming to the website for our 2027 update!

www.homegrowninillinois.com

09/18/2026

SEED HARVEST UPDATE

I have received multiple emails as well as messaging through the website. I am doing by best to work as efficiently as possible. Unfortunately it makes it very difficult to respond to each general info or release inquest at this time. Please know I am working as quickly as possible to bring you these gems.

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The tomato harvest is officially done, which means I can finally stop pretending I’m going to have a clean kitchen again 😂.

The seeds are drying, and I’m working my way through the mountain of tomato seeds that have been cleaned, dried, waiting for packaging, labeling, and organizing before they make their way onto the website.

And there is A LOT coming.

I’ve got quite a few new varieties coming this season, along with some really exciting tomatoes from some incredibly talented breeders that I’m thrilled to be able to offer you. There are some things in this batch that I’ve been looking forward to sharing, and I think you’re going to find some new favorites.

I’m not going to rush the process just to get them listed. I want the seeds cleaned, dried, packaged, labeled, and ready to go before I put them up for sale.

Once everything is ready and the website has been updated, I’ll make a post letting you know the new seeds are officially LIVE and ready to order.

So for now, hang tight while I dig myself out from underneath this seed-saving operation.

Thank you for continuing to support my little one-woman seed business, especially during the part of the year when the work happens mostly behind the scenes. I appreciate every order, every share, every recommendation, and every person who gets excited about growing something a little different.

I’m really excited about what’s coming!

The first to be notified on a release date will be anyone signed up for emails and then those who have followed the page.

www.homegrowninillinois.com

♥️🍅,
Sam

Discover premium homegrown Illinois seed, including heirloom tomato and pepper seeds, perfect for your garden!

08/25/2026

An amazingly productive variety will be returning to market via the website this fall.

Cupid’s Arrow is a creation by Blane Horton of Mississippi. It is an indeterminate, potato leaf plant with complex and amazing flavor! One plant here carried nearly 300 fruits with no assistance during a horrible weather year. It will need ample support in your gardens.

Its taste blew me out of the water following heavy rains. Cupid’s Arrow is sweet, acidic, tart, and smoky all in one bite.

Please consider signing up for email alerts on the website as long as following this page. Those signed up for emails will be notified 24 hours in advance that seeds will be available for purchase.

www.homegrowninillinois.com

I would like to thank Blane Horton for trusting me with his varieties and allowing me to reintroduce some of them to the community. They are far too delicious to not be grown by everyone!

08/01/2026

Please take a moment to read my most recent blog. Meet the breeder: Ongweh Ias

If you read our recent Breeder Spotlight featuring Russ Crowe, then you already know I have a soft spot for introducing the people behind the tomatoes. We spend years growing their creations, admiring photos of their new...

07/23/2026

Looking to share or trade garden goodies? 🌾🥚 Don't miss our Farmers' Market Swap located in the lobby of the exhibit building. Bring extras from your garden OR take a few items with you on your way out. We never know what will land on our table, but it always goes fast!