Abraham Lincoln Tomato
TOMATO Abraham Lincoln Solanum lycopersicum
Seeds per pack ~25
Germination: 81% Sep 2024 Packed for 2025
DAYS TO MATURITY: 60-100 days
Origins and History
The Abraham Lincoln Tomato is a classic American heirloom introduced in 1923 by the W.H. Buckbee seed company of Rockford, Illinois. Named to honor the revered president, this variety quickly gained popularity among home gardeners and market growers for its dependable yields and richly flavored fruit. During the early to mid-20th century, it was widely cultivated in the Midwest and Eastern United States. Over time, as hybrid tomatoes dominated the market, Abraham Lincoln faded into obscurity, but seed savers and heirloom enthusiasts helped preserve it, ensuring its survival as a treasured open-pollinated variety.
Appearance and Characteristics
The Abraham Lincoln Tomato produces large, globe-shaped fruits typically weighing 8 to 12 ounces, with some reaching up to a pound under ideal conditions. The fruit has a deep red color with a smooth, slightly flattened shape and meaty texture. Plants are indeterminate, meaning they continue producing fruit throughout the season, and they are known for their strong, vigorous growth and disease tolerance. Its balanced sweet-acid flavor profile makes it a standout among heirloom slicers.
Culinary Uses
This tomato is considered an excellent all-purpose variety. Its size and flavor make it ideal for slicing onto sandwiches, burgers, and salads. The meaty consistency also lends itself well to sauces, soups, and canning, providing a rich tomato base with fewer seeds than many other heirlooms. Gardeners often prize it for fresh eating while also appreciating its ability to preserve well for winter use.
Growing Tips
Abraham Lincoln thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10, though it performs best in warm, sunny locations with well-drained, fertile soil. Seeds should be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost and transplanted outside once danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep in a light seed-starting mix. Provide full sun, consistent watering, and support with stakes or cages, as the vines are tall and produce heavy fruit clusters. Regular pruning of suckers can help maintain airflow and reduce disease risk.
Harvesting Guidance
Fruits are ready to harvest about 85 days after transplanting, when they turn a deep, uniform red and feel slightly firm but give gently to pressure. Harvesting regularly encourages continued fruit production. For best flavor, pick when fully vine-ripened, though fruits can also be harvested slightly earlier and allowed to finish ripening indoors if frost threatens late in the season. Properly harvested and stored tomatoes can last several days at room temperature, preserving their full heirloom taste.
