Lipscomb Heirloom Seed Company

Release Date of Newest Heirloom Tomato

Pioneering the Future of Heirloom Gardening Since 1910

Established in 1910 in Liberal, Missouri, Lipscomb Heirloom Seed Company is the oldest family-owned heirloom seed company in the United States. For over a century, we have been dedicated to preserving rare heirloom varieties while pioneering new heirloom vegetable seeds for gardeners who demand the highest quality, flavor, and resilience.

Developing a new heirloom variety is a rare and time-intensive process, requiring five years of meticulous crossbreeding, selection, and refinement. Due to the financial and time commitment, very few new heirlooms ever reach the market—but we are proud to carry on this tradition for future generations of gardeners.

Introducing Our Newest Heirloom Tomato – Iron Chief

Launching February 15, 2025, our latest release is a groundbreaking cross-pollination of Cherokee Purple and Black Krim—two of the most flavorful and nutrient-rich heirloom tomatoes in existence. By combining their best traits, Iron Chief surpasses them in every category—boasting a bold, complex flavor, deep color, superior disease resistance, and exceptional productivity.

Because of limited seed availability, we are offering exclusive 100-seed packs for just $19 this 2025 season—giving heirloom gardeners the chance to be among the first to grow and experience this extraordinary new variety.

Secure your Iron Chief heirloom tomato seeds today and be part of heirloom gardening history. Order now at Lipscomb Heirloom Seed Company at— johnlipscomb.substack.com

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Introducing IRON CHIEF – The Ultimate Heirloom Tomato Hybrid (2024 Release!)

A Rare Cherokee Purple × Black Krim Cross – Available for the First Time Ever!

After five years of development, we are proud to introduce Iron Chief, an award-winning heirloom hybrid born from the legendary Cherokee Purple and Black Krim varieties. This deep purplish-pink beauty delivers a bold, smoky-sweet flavor, dense, juicy flesh, and a rich umami depth that makes it one of the best heirloom tomatoes for flavor ever created.

Now, for a limited time only, you can be among the first to grow this rare, one-of-a-kind tomato!

100 Seed Pack – $19

Free Shipping | 📦 Same-Day Processing | 🛒 Order Now Before They’re Gone!

Why Choose IRON CHIEF?

Rich, Smoky-Sweet Flavor – A perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and umami depth.
Thick, Meaty Flesh – Ideal for slicing, gourmet salads, and heirloom sauces.
Vibrant Purplish-Pink Hue – A stunning, unique addition to any heirloom tomato garden.
High-Yield, Indeterminate Growth – Produces large, beefsteak-style fruits (10-16 oz) all season long.
Exclusive & Limited Edition – Only 100 packs available. This is the first-ever release of this rare heirloom tomato hybrid!

Best Uses for IRON CHIEF

Fresh Slicing – Perfect for burgers, sandwiches, and gourmet dishes.
Fire-Roasting & Grilling – Enhances its deep, caramelized smokiness.
Salads & Charcuterie – The velvety, juicy flesh pairs perfectly with fresh basil & burrata.
Heirloom Tomato Sauces – Thick, rich texture for premium pasta sauces and stews.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Full Sun (6+ hours/day) – Maximizes size & flavor.
Moderate Watering – Helps prevent cracking & enhances sweetness.
Indeterminate Growth – Requires staking/caging for best support.
80-85 Days to Maturity – Harvest when deep purple-pink with slight green shoulders.

Order Iron Chief Today – Limited Availability!

100 Seeds per Pack – $19

Free Shipping | Same-Day Processing | Secure Checkout

Buy Now at LipscombHeirloomSeedCompany.com OR JohnLipscomb.Substack.com

Learn More on Our Blog & Podcast → JohnLipscomb.Substack.com

OUR STORY: The Legacy of Lipscomb Seed Company & The Timeless Value of Heirloom Tomatoes

The History of Lipscomb Seed Company and the Grain Elevator of Liberal, MO

The Lipscomb Seed Company traces its roots to the fertile lands of Missouri, where generations of farmers sought to cultivate the highest quality seeds for resilient crops. One of its defining features was the Lipscomb grain elevator, built in Liberal, MO, a crucial hub for storing and distributing grains and heirloom seeds throughout the region. For decades, the grain elevator in Liberal, Missouri, stood as a beacon for local farmers, ensuring high-quality seeds were accessible and preserved.

During the early 20th century, the grain and seed industry flourished in small towns across America. The Lipscomb grain elevator was more than just a structure; it was a lifeline for local agriculture, allowing farmers to store heirloom seeds safely before the next planting season. This was a time when organic farming techniques were the norm, and seed-saving was an essential practice.

For those interested in soil health and maintaining traditional farming methods, our Garden Soil Thursday Podcast with Buster Tyme explores how historic grain elevators like Lipscomb’s influenced modern organic soil enrichment techniques and the importance of crop rotation for heirloom plants.

Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to choosing seeds for your garden, the debate between heirloom vs. hybrid seeds is a crucial one. Many gardeners today are rediscovering the benefits of heirloom tomatoes over commercially bred hybrid varieties. But what exactly sets them apart?

Heirloom Seeds: These seeds have been passed down for at least 50 years or more, maintaining their genetic purity. Unlike hybrids, heirloom vegetables, particularly tomatoes, offer rich, complex flavors and adaptability to local environments.
Hybrid Seeds: Created by cross-breeding two different plant species, hybrids are often developed for uniformity, disease resistance, and higher yields, but they do not always match the taste and texture of heirloom crops. Plus, hybrid seeds cannot be reliably saved for future planting.

On our Homesteading Wednesday Podcast with Host Melisa Willows, we dive deeper into the importance of heirloom seed-saving, and how homesteaders can maintain self-sufficiency by preserving time-honored tomato varieties.

What Makes Heirloom Tomatoes Special? A Guide to Their Unique History

Heirloom tomatoes are prized for their heritage, unique flavors, and genetic purity. These varieties have been carefully cultivated for generations without genetic modification, making them some of the most authentic tomatoes available today.

Historically, heirloom tomato seeds were exchanged between families and farming communities, ensuring biodiversity and regional adaptation. Unlike modern hybrids, heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated, meaning they can be saved and replanted year after year, keeping the lineage intact.

Popular heirloom tomato varieties include:

Brandywine Tomato – A classic with a deep, rich taste and large, meaty texture.
Cherokee Purple – Known for its dark, smoky flavor and vibrant color.
Green Zebra – A tangy, striped tomato that stands out in both taste and appearance.

For in-depth discussions on organic farming techniques, tune into our Sustainable Farming Tuesday Podcast with Host Bill Landy, where we explore how heirloom tomatoes contribute to soil health and sustainable agriculture.

The Benefits of Crop Rotation for Heirloom Tomato Growth

One of the key factors in growing heirloom tomatoes successfully is understanding the importance of crop rotation. Unlike modern monoculture farming, crop rotation was an essential practice 100 years ago, ensuring soil nutrients remained balanced and plant diseases were minimized.

Benefits of Crop Rotation for Heirloom Tomatoes:

Reduces soil depletion – Avoids overuse of essential nutrients.
Prevents disease build-up – Protects against soil-borne pathogens like fusarium wilt and nematodes.
Improves soil structure – Different crops enhance microbial diversity in the soil.

Farmers a century ago relied on traditional organic gardening methods to replenish soil health. Legumes and cover crops were often rotated between tomato plantings to fix nitrogen levels and enhance productivity. This technique is still used today by organic farmers and homesteaders dedicated to preserving heirloom plant varieties.

If you’re interested in learning more about how soil and organic composting impact heirloom crop success, listen to our Organic Gardening Monday Podcast featuring Kim Mars, where experts discuss time-tested heirloom gardening practices.

How Heirloom Tomatoes Were Grown 100 Years Ago

A century ago, heirloom tomato gardening looked quite different from modern large-scale agriculture. Farmers and home gardeners relied on natural fertilizers, companion planting, and manual pest control to ensure their crops thrived. Here’s a look at how heirloom tomatoes were grown in the early 1900s:

Seed Saving & Exchange: Families preserved tomato seeds from the best plants each season, ensuring continued adaptation to their local climate.
Natural Fertilizers: Farmers used compost, manure, and organic matter to enrich soil instead of synthetic fertilizers.
Companion Planting: Tomatoes were planted alongside basil, marigolds, and garlic to deter pests naturally.
Rainwater Irrigation: Before widespread irrigation systems, rainwater collection and mulching techniques were vital to retain soil moisture.

These traditional heirloom tomato growing methods ensured robust plants and superior flavor, a contrast to modern industrialized farming that prioritizes quantity over quality. If you’re looking to revive traditional gardening techniques, our Homesteading Wednesday Podcast with Melisa Willows covers topics like seed-saving traditions and heirloom plant care.

Conclusion: Embracing the Heirloom Tradition

The history of Lipscomb Seed Company and the Lipscomb grain elevator in Liberal, Missouri, is deeply rooted in America’s agricultural heritage. Just as our ancestors carefully selected and saved the best seeds, today’s gardeners and farmers continue the tradition by growing heirloom tomatoes and practicing organic farming.

By understanding the difference between heirloom and hybrid seeds, embracing crop rotation, and learning from traditional farming techniques, we can ensure that heirloom tomatoes continue to thrive for future generations.

For expert insights into heirloom gardening, sustainable farming, and organic soil health, explore our podcasts:

Garden Soil Thursday Podcast with Buster Tyme (link coming soon)
Homesteading Wednesday Podcast with Melisa Willows (link coming soon)
Sustainable Farming Tuesday Podcast with Bill Landy (link coming soon)
Organic Gardening Monday Podcast featuring Kim Mars (link coming soon)

We encourage you to watch any of the prior mentioned podcasts, including the Lipscomb Seed Company podcast, and visit their award-winning blog at johnlipscomb.substack.com, where you can also purchase heirloom tomato seeds from the oldest heirloom seed provider in America!