About

I've been an avid gardener for most of the past 50+ years, with an emphasis on tomatoes, melons, peppers, and squash. But I grow just about anything that can produce in my area, and am a compulsive seed saver. As of this writing (November 28, 2023), I still have more than 1,000 batches of harvested cucumbers, peppers, melons, peppers, beans, tomatoes and more from which I need to extract and process seeds from the 2023 season. It will take me well into Spring, 2024 to complete this task. Thus, lists of available seeds published in SSE's printed catalog are necessarily at least five months behind. I keep my current seed lists updated on almost a daily basis at my website (search for Delectation of Tomatoes). There are hundreds of varieties of melons, squash, peppers, etc. that I have available, but that are not listed here, along with an additional 350 or so tomato varieties. This is a one-person operation, with occasional help from volunteers who exchange labor for fresh produce, seeds, or seedlings. No reselling, participation in seed co-ops, or the like. All photos are original and everything is raised using natural methods (not certified organic though - no time for that). Over the years, I have raised over 3,200 varieties of tomatoes, plus over 1,000 varieties of other garden plant types. For updates and more information about what I'm up to with my gardening adventures, please read my online blog posts, published monthly, at: https://delectationoftomatoes.wordpress.com.

Order Instructions

Standard SSE rates apply for smaller seeds. Some larger seeds, which require shipping at package rates (minimum of $5.10 postage per package now, with rates rising every few months), are priced higher, as indicated. It makes no sense to offer seeds at rates lower than what I have to pay for shipping. This is no longer just a hobby for me, as I am not supported by retirement income, a spouse's income, or investment income. Electronic payment preferred, snail mail is also fine. Seed requests filled 365 days of the year, but plan on up to two weeks for your seeds to arrive. Payment through the SSE system preferred. PayPal (dale@gianttomatoseeds.com), credit card, Venmo (@Dale-Thurber), or cash is also fine. Personal checks can also work, but please include an extra $1 for postage and the extra time to handle, prepare, and mail a check to my bank, which is two hours away. For questions, please drop me an email (dale@gianttomatoseeds.com) or check out the developing website: www.delectationoftomatoes.com.

Location

I moved to East Carbon, Utah, in January, 2020. Elevation is 6,200'. It looks like the average growing season is around 110-130 days - way shorter that what I'm accustomed to. I plan to put in a high tunnel or a full, heated greenhouse as soon as I can manage. Native soil looks to have good potential: 51—Hernandez family - sandy loam down to 60", parent material: Alluvium derived from sandstone and shale, low salinity, calcium carbonate 35%. On site soil tests are needed. The main problem is not the plant cold hardiness zone (borderline 6a and 6b), but the fact that even in the middle of summer, nights can get rather cool here. Thus, many heat-loving plants (watermelon, okra, hot peppers, etc.) do not thrive here.

Dale's Images

Variety	Plant Type	Available