First there is the name, which gives me a chuckle every time I say it as it sounds like the site of an epic Trolls versus Elves battle in The Lord of the Rings.
“And there was great despair in the land, for the blood of many fearless warriors was spilled in the great battle at Hahms Gelbe…”
It feels like “vanquished” should be used in there somewhere. Or perhaps Hahms Gelbe is a badlands where people are sent to exile. “He was doomed to live out his final days as a lost soul wandering wearily through the blackened and barren desert of Hahms Gelbe.”
Needless to say, I’d better not quit my day job as a garden writer. Doesn’t look like I’ll be making my millions ghost writing fantasy fiction for World of Warcraft fans.
Anyways…..
Seeds for this rare variety are available in my seed shop.
Hahms Gelbe Topftomate – Heirloom. Early determinate/tall dwarf with rugose leaves (means wrinkled and puckered). 60-65 days. Golden, round cherry.
Despite my little medieval diversion, the name ‘Hahms Gelbe Topftomate’ actually translates from German to something along the lines of “Hahms yellow pot tomato”, and you can immediately see why. This mid-sized dwarf cherry really goes for the gold in a container. I’m growing two plants this year: both on my front stoop where they get a lot of light and heat that radiates up from the concrete. They’ve been yielding ripe fruit for some weeks now, so what you see here represents only some of the bounty that they’ve produced so far this season. As for the taste; they’re delicious, very sweet with a bit of acid, and surprisingly juicy if you allow them to fully ripen on the plant. The skins are thick, making this a variety that keeps well. Just today I ate a few with lunch that had been sitting around for at least a week or possibly even two. At this time of year I start to lose track. They are definitely one of the better dwarf tomatoes that I’ve grown and tasted and while I have grown this variety before, there is something about their performance this year that has inspired me to keep them on my roster of varieties worth having around.
Growing:
I’m growing these 8″ (ish) plants in sap buckets with several holes in the bottom, that are just over 1 ft deep. They’ll do fine in an even smaller pot. I have grown dwarf plants of this size in pots that are as small as 8″ deep.
They look great! I love how prolific this variety this is. I like these ones better than the other dwarf varieties I’ve grown as well – plus the yellow colour is just so cheerful and pretty.
I can’t believe no one has stolen them from my stoop. In my other neighbourhood they would have been gone weeks ago!
I love this tomato and am always up for some Lord of the Rings references via @yougrowgirl http://bit.ly/pUxj4s
Love this little guy. Amazed too that no one has ran off with him…street eats are very tempting. Are you divulging your seed source?
Where did you get the seeds for these? I’ve already put this on my list of tomatoes to try out next year!
Hey, I think you’re a pretty good writer. Thankfully, you’re an even better gardener. I will have to look for these seeds. I can’t believe there are so many in such a tiny pot.
Megan: I got these in trade from someone, but if you do a search on Google, there are a few niche seed companies selling them.
Diana: I think I’m a pretty good writer, too… most days. I’m just saying that fantasy fan fiction is not my genre!
“… the great battle at Hahms Gelbe…”
*ROFLASTC* This is absolutely hilarious – especially for Germans :-)
As I twittered before, my plant is still more on the side of “Hahms Grüne”. Hope to see some yellow soon!
Rhonda & Megan – I got my ‘Hahms Gelbe’ seed from Heritage Harvest Seeds (Canadian).
What lovely looking tomatoes! I should start getting some orange cherry tomatoes soon – if the sun ever shines again in these parts – looking forward to it!
Look at the amount of tomatoes that were grown in a pot! Gayla Trail’s "Grow Great Grub" has become one of my… http://fb.me/uRMs1RPM
Thanks for the link Meighan! I spent about an hour last night looking at all the different tomatoes they had to offer – I’ve got lots of ideas for next year!!
I love these! I wonder if they’re related to the golden cherry tomatoes I bought at the Farmers’ Market last night…If I can keep from eating them maybe I’ll keep one or two for seeds!
great post! i just started some hahms gelbe last month that i hope will work as an indoor tomato once the temperatures dip. they’ve just barely sprouted now so i don’t think there’s time before frost.
i’ve had really good luck with tiny tim this year, a similar dwarf tomato (though the fruit is red and the plants get slightly larger.) i’m growing three in pots and one in the ground, and while the one in the ground produced way more tomatoes they don’t taste nearly as yummy as fruit from the potted plants. i didn’t expect there would be such a difference.
As a gardener and a fantasy fan AND a former German student, I’m loving this post. I’m going to be hunting down some of those seeds because my 4 year old is a yellow cherry tomato junkie, and I look forward to telling her “Go pick some Hahms Gelbe!”
Seriously, I could say that all day long. Hahms Gelbe, Hahms Gelbe.
Gorgeous! I am inspired & think I’ll try them next year, in a container no less. That is, if I can get my hands on some seeds. Looking forward to spring, & summer’s not even over!
I’ve grown these for two years and love them. They’re my favorite snacking tomato, and mixed with red grape tomatoes are a beautiful mix for bruschetta.
When making sauce I always throw some of these in because their sweetness balances out some of the acidity of other tomatoes.
I’m a very beginner gardener and just love it so far! I want to continue gardening in the winter and grow veggies in the basement. Obviously, I don’t want tomato plants that grow really tall so the Hahms Gelbe looks perfect judging by the picture. Any other veggies (tomatoes/peppers/etc.) that stay small and controllable in a basement setting? Thanks!