Behind this tomato is Fred Limbaugh from Robinson, Pennsylvania, and an heirloom variety known as Potato Top. In 2000, Fred invited gardening journalist Doug Oster to share some seedlings. That’s how a friendship began that helped the seeds reach far beyond the family garden.
Oster distributed the seeds, asking people to send back a portion of their harvest so he could continue the effort. One summer, as many as 140,000 seeds were returned to him by readers. After Fred’s death in 2008, with his family’s permission, he named the tomato “Limbaugh’s Legacy Potato Top.” In this story, preserving the variety is a collaborative effort among gardeners—each successive harvest becomes a continuation of the legacy.
Our plants have potato-like leaves and bear fruit abundantly. The slightly flattened, gently ribbed fruits weigh about 500–800 g; they are fleshy, sweet, and have a slightly fruity note. They mature about 75–80 days after transplanting. They’re perfect for sandwiches, salads, and other dishes.
