Ashleigh 1lb. 6oz.

[ajax]

Here is my lovely Ashleigh from last year. This is the largest tomato I have ever grown, and I did not "try" to grow it large (i.e., no pruning, removing fruit, etc.) The taste was magnificent! I just stood there in my kitchen, revelling in the ecstasty. It was so rich, so deep, so sweet and so tart---all at once. I can almost taste it now.....
BTW, the knife next to the pics is a FULL-SIZE bread knife!

First, a side view (same as my avatar)...


Now from the top...



And cut open!! I couldn't even wait long enough to snap the picture before taking a bite! Just look at how meaty! Such tiny seed cavities!


Thanks so much to Neil Gilliard for sharing this wonderful tomato with me!!
I hope I've made you drool a bit---I know I am! Come on, Summer!
Ajax (Andrea)

[jerseyjohn61]

Wow,
What a great looking, meaty tom that fellow was.
Are Ashleighs native heirlooms to your area Andrea?
....JJ61

[ajax]

Ashleigh is not from my area, it is an old family heirloom from a Canadian Village that Neil Gilliard shared with me.

[bigcheef]

Wow! That looks great. Do you know if seeds are available comercially yet?

[Tomstrees]

Looks like a winner !
Good growing !

~ Tom

[JerryL]

Here is what Neil posted about Ashleigh on June 14, 2005


Hi-I can tell you about Ashleigh. I introduced it to Seed Savers Exchange and sent seeds to Carolyn. I got this tomato near Eganville Ontario from the owners of the summer cottage I have been staying at for the last 25 years. They got it from their neighbour. It is originally from Lazek Macedonia,is a large tomato and I named it for my niece Ashleigh.To be honest I'm not sure if its red or pink-but will check it this year as my father is growing some. It is a good tomato in my opinion.

Neil

My notes from growing it in 2005 say ‘Moderately sweet, few seeds, meaty, with a lemon finish. Moist shapely fruit.’