Where to buy Sungold cherry tomato sprouts (NOT Pembies)?

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I came home from a long weekend at the Cape to find the ten Sungold sprouts I'd coaxed up from seed (via almost too much effort) wilted dead or nearly-dead. While howling the F-word like an angry Gregorian chant I tried my best to save the few that weren't entirely dead, but they are now shriveling before my eyes. I expect them to be dead by morning, and I don't have any more seeds. These were the only kind of tomato I wanted to grow this year and I'm heartbroken. I need to find a local source for sprouts.

Before you say Pemberton's, for the last three years the sprouts labeled "Sungold" that I've bought from them proved absolutely not to be Sungold. The first two years they were some kind of generic not-very-good red cherry tomatoes, and last year they were some shit-stock full sized tomatoes that had blossom end rot right out of the gate. (I know, the bee stings thrice, shame on me.)

I'll buy from a nursery, I'll buy from any home gardener, I'll buy from you if you have them. Specifically seeking Sungold, or barring that possibility, another cherry tomato variety that tastes just like them for container growing.

Sunburned and sulking, I thank you for any leads.

Comments

[veek.livejournal.com]

How local are we talking? There are Mahoney's locations in Brighton and Winchester, the latter being probably closer to Davis (and also less traffic-prone). The website lists Sun Golds, but says that it doesn't reflect what's in the stores. Locations with phone numbers are here (http://www.mahoneysgarden.com/locations).

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I could ask beowabbit to get a Zipcar if need be, so it could be less-local than Davis. I'll check this out, and thanks! (beowabbit is the best life partner in the world, because he HATES tomatoes but would help me source their sprouts!)

[beowabbit]

¡Mi Zipcar es tu Zipcar!

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

I've gotten mine from farmers markets in the past, but it's not a sure thing. I don't have any this year.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

That's the problem with my Kendall day job -- I miss all the markets except the tiny Kendall one on Wednesdays. :-(

[ron_newman]

Try Saturday in Union Square, 9 am to 1 pm?

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

It's not far to the Central Square one on Mondays, and that usually has a bit more in the produce department.

[thespian.livejournal.com]

there is also the farmer's market at SoWa, which also lets you go to the craft fair and the Gazebo of Food Trucks.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Belated reply on an old thread, but...in case you didn't know, there are actually farmer's markets in Kendall Square on both Wednesday and Thursday. Today is the first day of the Thursday one, which is kind of hidden away behind the Red Cross building, near the canoe/kayak rental place.

[nonelvis]

I got my Sungolds from Russell's out in Wayland, but you'd need a car to get there.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I've always wanted to go there. Thank you for the lead!

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

A couple of stalls at the Davis farmers' market have had tomato seedlings the past two weeks. At least one had a variety of cherry tomatoes, but I don't know if they had Sungold specifically.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I may end up having to settle for some other kind of cherry tomato. Can't waste all this organic potting soil I bought today!

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

just as another data point, we grew sungold cherry tomatoes (in a hydroponic pot with weird clay balls, from GYO on Mass Ave!) last year, and we got the plant from Pemberton's. It was definitely a sungold. That being said, I'd be hesitant to try Pemberton's again too! I imagine it's probably too late to order seedlings from Burpees at this point? (or maybe you just prefer to find them somewhere relatively local!) Anyways, my sympathy to you, I know the heart break of watching the veggies you are trying to grow die from the heat (my attempt at purple potatoes last year were doing great until the several 100 degree days in a row that just flattened them). Good luck!

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yup, I just checked Burpee and the sprout shipping window of time has closed. Ironic, because just today I bought the 8 bags of organic potting soil for my green babies at Pembie's, thinking smugly how my Sungolds would be so superior. I've had gardening FAILs before, but this one hurt.

Well, I have to use the soil, so maybe I'll grow something I haven't before. I guess I could always barter my produce for someone else's Sungolds!

[ron_newman]

I could try to buy something for you at the Davis Square farmers' market this week, except that I really don't know what I'm doing and could end up buying the wrong thing ;-(

[alphacygni]

Kimball's and Red Fire are both farmstands that had tons of great tomato seedlings right now. Of course, I know this because I work near South Station, and both of them are at the Dewey Square afternoon market on Tuesdays. But possibly look into their schedules and see where else they are? Or if you can, hop on the red line on Tuesday at lunch, The farmer's market is literally clustered around the Dewey Square exit from South Station, so if you work in Kendall it shouldn't be too big of a trip. Sun Gold is definitely there. I saw tons of it last week.

[grapefruiteater.livejournal.com]

The actual Kimball Fruit Farm is in Pepperell, if you (the OP) felt like taking a minor road trip. It's not as far as you'd think—you can take Route 3 most of the way there, and then you can hop over to Nashua and make a day of it by buying liquor at Trader Joe's and Target crap with no sales tax.

[42itous.livejournal.com]

If you don't find plants for sale anywhere, I do have Sungold seeds and I'd be happy to share with you -- i.e. you can have the rest of the packet if you come pick it up from me.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

I have been gifted more sungold tomato seedlings than I can manage, so I can give you my seedlings from cee if you'd like.

email me at this address at gmail and I'll send my address to you.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I would love to take them! I'll email you.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I've gotten them from Verrill Farm before, but rather earlier in the year than this. Sorry. That's happened to me before too.

[spettacolo.livejournal.com]

I've got 5 leftover Sungold plants which I don't have room to plant. I was about to compost them. Two are tall and flowering. I'm out of town right now, but if you're still looking, let me know and I can put them on my porch for you on Wednesday.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

You're on! I will absolutely take them! I'll PM you for your address and will plan to come get them after work on Wednesday. Thank you so much!

Edit: Or if you don't use PM, my email is moonstonewater at yahoo dot com.

[entrochan.livejournal.com]

I found sungolds on Sunday at Manohey's in Winchester.

[dreams-of-wings.livejournal.com]

Busa farms in Arlington is a good bet, as well.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Looks like you're covered, but just in case: I definitely saw Sungold plants at the Davis Sq farmers' market last week, at either the first or second stall on the left (starting at the street). And Red Fire Farm is offering seedlings in their bulk order program right now, which would be delivered to any of their regular CSA dropoff points (days/times vary, but most go into the evening), and you don't need to have a share with them to order.

[reeborg.livejournal.com]

I have two extra Sungold seedlings in case you or anyone else is still looking! I bought a flat of four from Enterprise Farms on Wednesday, but I only need one or two plants. They're free to a good home.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I'm all set now with 7 plants, but I hope someone takes them! Sungolds are so yummy!