Dear Gardeners,
here is the penultimate issue of “News from Pomidorlandia” this season. Here in Warmia, the first snow has already fallen. It’s time to switch to winter tires and slowly start getting ready for Christmas.
Have I mentioned that our tomato seeds can make a beautiful gift for a loved one? Such a small packet holds a surprising amount: a touch of mystery, the anticipation of spring, the work of tending seedlings, and that wonderful peak of the season when a gardener and their family can enjoy the taste of fruit grown from a tiny seed—a seed whose story began at the Christmas Eve table.
If it’s hard to choose just one variety, a set of several varieties might be a good idea—for example, our Pomidorlandia favourites set.
In this issue, you’ll read about the results of the “Biggest Tomato” contest, what we learned from our first survey, and the peppers that are making a comeback in the store.
1. The 2026 Biggest Tomato Contest—We Know the Winners
This year, we received a total of 78 valid entries. That’s the highest number in the history of our contest—last year there were 54. The tomatoes from these entries weighed a total of over 70 kilograms (70,259 g, to be exact) and belonged to 44 different varieties. The most frequently submitted varieties were Cuore Antico di Acqui Therme, Anna’s Legacy, and Mexico—with seven entries each.
The top ranks were dominated by tall, large-fruited varieties with fleshy fruit—only such varieties made it into the top ten. Each tomato in the top ten weighed over 1.2 kg, and the top six exceeded one and a half kilograms.
The grower of this year’s largest tomato was Jarosław Wasilewski, whose Florida Pink tomato weighed 1,976 g. Mr. Jarosław also has two more tomatoes in the top fifteen—this time of the Mexico variety. We extend our warmest congratulations!
The top three spots went to:
- Jarosław Wasilewski — Florida Pink, 1,976 g
- Katarzyna Birnbaum — Big Rainbow, 1,791 g
- Artur Majsterek — Cuore Antico di Acqui Therme, 1,667 g
Thank you to all participants—behind every entry lies an entire season of work and care.
See the full results and all the contest tomatoes →
As is our custom, we’d like to invite you right away to the next edition—this is already the eighth edition of our contest! The entry portal for the 2027 season will be open from June 1 to September 30. You may enter tomatoes grown from seeds or seedlings purchased from us between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027.
Seeds for all three top-three varieties are available in the store. Who knows—maybe one of them will break a record in your garden?
2. 2026 Survey — Thank You for Your Responses
The first edition of our survey is now behind us. We received a total of 68 responses. Considering that the survey had 29 questions, that’s a really good start—thank you to everyone who took the time to participate.
The responses paint a picture of the season that many of us recognize from our own gardens. The most frequently cited challenge was the heat—64% of respondents mentioned it. Interestingly, however, cold weather was also mentioned in those same responses.
You can find the results along with our analysis in a separate post:
The 2026 Tomato Season Through Gardeners’ Eyes — Survey Results →
3. Bell Peppers Are Back in Store
After receiving numerous phone calls and messages, we know just how much you’ve been waiting for bell peppers! We’re therefore all the more pleased to announce that we’ve completed germination tests and packaged the seeds. Currently, 14 varieties of bell peppers are available—both sweet and hot.
We encourage you not to put off ordering your peppers. We do not anticipate restocking these seeds for the upcoming season.
As a reminder: when stored in a dry, cool place, bell pepper seeds remain viable for about 2–3 years, and tomato seeds for 5–7 years. So the few months that separate us from planting are no problem at all for them.
See you in the season’s final issue
Thank you for being with us—for the photos of the contest giants, your survey responses, and every question about peppers. We have one more issue of “News” ahead of us—the last one of the season.
We wish you peaceful, warm days and safe travels on your winter tires.
The Pomidorlandia Team