Livingston’s Strain. Heirloom found by Walter Richards of Crystal Springs, Mississippi as a single plant in a field of Early Detroit tomatoes in 1917. Released by D. M. Ferry & Company in 1921. This is how they described it in their 1921 seed catalog: “We believe we have in Gulf State Market a tomato that will before many years be the chief purple fruited market variety grown in the Gulf States and California. As yet we speak more from trials than from actual marketing tests but we are confident Gulf State Market is a winner.
Gulf State Market was developed out of Early Detroit and retains the earliness of that variety. The vines are very vigorous and withstand blight exceptionally well. The fruits are large for so early a variety, round or globe shaped, show but little depression about stem and are smooth and free from cracks. Color deep purplish pink ripening well about the stem. The skin is firm and the flesh solid.
Unless all signs fail this will prove to be the most productive of all shipping tomatoes. It is also of the most desirable shape for packing.”
‘Gulf State Market’ was developed for harvesting for shipping to distant markets, intended for the regions “touching the Gulf of Mexico.” Also does very well in other parts of the county and has been a popular home garden variety over the years. Indeterminate, regular leaf plant produces heavy yields of 8-12 oz., globe shaped, pink tomatoes that are pink on the outside with a red interior. (Fruits can reach ip to 20 oz.) Fruit is smooth and flavorful. Very popular still in the Gulf states as a good all-around tomato. A great market tomato. 80 days

Culinary Use

Salad / Slicer

Flavor Profile

Well-balanced

Flesh Color

Red

Fruit Color

Pink

Fruit Shape

Oblate

Fruit Size

Medium

Leaf Type

Regular

Maturity

Mid-season

Plant Type

Indeterminate

Species

Solanum lycopersicum

Variety

Heirloom / Open Pollinated