“The life of the salad,” said seedsaver Jan Blum (1986).
Yellow Pear is a joy to have in the garden. This miniature pear shaped tomato draws everyone’s attention. And its mild and sweet taste make it easy to snack on in the garden or toss in a salad. Yellow Pear is a garden classic that brightens up everything.
This charming cherry tomato is also drought-tolerant, disease resistant and super productive. And it is one of the oldest tomato cultivars known in the seed trade. In her book, Heirloom Tomatoes: From Garden to Table, Amy Goldman writes that the Yellow Pear we know today, was likely the same one described by Italian botanist Filippo Re back in 1811.
In more recent times, Yellow Pear was one of the first seed varieties offered by the respected seed saving organization Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) in their inaugural 1975 yearbook. In that yearbook, SSE cofounder Kent Whealy offered inspiring comments and Yellow Pear tomatoes to trade:
“The ‘True Seed Exchange’ is a reality. A small one, but at least it’s off the ground…I personally find that gardening is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Good healthful food for my family is invaluable…Seeds have always seemed really magical to me. They are so little, but they contain such energy…I want the idea to grow because I believe in it…This year I’ll have the following seeds to trade: Okra (gumbo); Yellow Pear Tomatoes; Radishes (red and white); Zucchini Squash, Banana Muskmelon, Yucca seed and Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glories (small purple with red star in center).”
Yellow Pear is an easy and reliable variety to grow. It grows to be about 5 feet.
How to Plant: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Plant seed 5mm (¼ inch) deep. Keep moist. When true leaves appear, transplant to a larger container if needed. Transplant outside after the danger of frost has passed/later spring.
Photo caption 1: Yellow Pear. By cygnus921 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/cygnus921/2776442204/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6908178
Photo caption 2 & 3: 1926 Maule Seed Catalog. Front cover and description of Yellow Pear.
