Laurel's Heirloom Tomato Plants

I absolutely adore Laurel and her tomatoes. I placed an order this year for several different varieties. I read the website thoroughly and carefully.The process for ordering was easy. She was very pleasant on the phone and my order was placed quickly and without any issues. In my area of California, we tend to have cooler summers and hotter autumn weather, so I chose one of the later shipping periods. My plants arrived just in time for me to get them planted over the long Memorial Day weekend. The plants were big, strong, and healthy. I am looking forward to a great harvest and will definitely be placing a larger order next year. Thank you, Laurel. You rock my gardening world!

I ordered some tomato plants from Laurel in January I believe. My wife and I are going on vacation April 30. According to Laurel's delivery schedule, I should receive the tomato plants and plant them by May 2. I emailed her today to say that my wife and are leaving on a vacation on April 30. I asked her to deliver the plants by April 30 which is a Saturday. She would not guarantee that the plants would be delivered before April 30. May 2 is on on a Monday. She wanted $9.50 to expedite the delivery of the plants which are expensive without a delivery charge. She would not do so. I canceled my order with her. You should consider canceling your order with her as well. She is not business friendly. I'm not sure how I could plant the tomato plants by May 2 which is a Monday if I did not receive them before May 30 which is a Friday. Perhaps Laurel can explain how it was possible for me to do so.

Early this week I placed an order directly with Laurel for a number of tomato plants. Rather than having them shipped to me I decided this time to go to her place of business to pick the plants up myself. She and I settled on Friday of this week for me to pick the plants up. I cancelled some other things I was scheduled to do on Friday so I could pick up the plants. I called today (Thursday, the day before I was to pick up the plants) to confirm the order would be ready. Not only would the order NOT be ready, but she had decided to substitute several (more than three) varieties I had no intention of getting for the ones I had ordered. Had I not called some plants would not be ready at all, others would be substituted for plants that were, in my book, much less desirable varieties, and to top it off, Laurel found my frustration to be upsetting to her. All of this could have been avoided if three days ago, when I ordered the plants directly with Laurel and she checked with her growers while I waited on the phone to make certain the plants were available, she had been honest with me. I have cancelled my order and urge others who are doing business with her company to make certain you are getting what you are paying for. She did agree to cancel the order.

Posted on March 16, 2014, updated May 16, 2014 This will be my fourth year ordering from Laurel, and I can only report complete satisfaction as a customer and a gardener. After a cross-country journey (I'm in Long Island, NY), the plants I ordered arrived in strong, vigorous condition, carefully packaged and ready to grow. The shipping date that Laurel and I worked out according to my grow zone was faithfully followed. In addition the vigorous condition of the plants I ordered helped them survive two cold, wet springs and a vicious attack of blight that all of Long Island was afflicted with. Viva Laurel's tomatoes! From a faithful, highly satisfied customer.

This year was my first time ordering ,but it won't be my last. Everything about my experience with Laurel was very positive. I emailed her with my order and indicated I was paying by Paypal and asked her to send me an invoice. She replied to my email within a few days - which is quick to me, I know she is super super busy in April. Everything about the transaction went really smoothly. And then today I got the plants. They are gorgeous. Large and very vigorous, in perfect condition, and packed ingeniously. I can't praise her enough. I wasn't sure how well shipping across the country from CA to PA would go, but it was awesome. Thank you Laurel!

This will be my fourth year cultivating heirloom tomatoes. I stumbled onto Laurel's website last year. I had ordered some seedlings from some other companies the year prior. I am an attorney and generally very cynical so take this review with that in mind. I ordered about 30 different strains. The selection is really outstanding. The means of ordering could definitely be more automated. And it is hard to scroll through so many choices. You do have to read carefully to find out how to structure your email. Although, I have no idea if you don't follow the instructions if you get a spanking. Laurel was very helpful in picking plants. The shipping method was awesome. Every plant came in great shape, healthy, and ready to go. No diseases, no pests. The plants were well established and did really well. When I lost a couple plants from some 50 mph wind storm, she helped me instantly get some new ones to replace them. My in-laws purchased a gift certificate for me for the holidays. Apparently, my father in law very much enjoyed speak with Laurel as have I. I am in the process of ordering for this year. Needless to say, I am a huge fan of the selection, the packing, the speed of shipping, and Laurel herself for walking me through a few things.

Posted on May 23, 2007, updated June 12, 2013 The plants I received were in peak condition and the packaging could not have been better--not a speck of dirt outside the container. I wish I could show you a picture of how they arrived. Two plants will be shipped later because they needed to grow a little more. Hope they are in the same condition. I will order again.

I placed an order with Laurel in mid January this year and she was extremely polite and helpful in handling the order. I later called and added to my order, and asked to change the shipping schedule. She again patiently and politely complied with my request, as well as spending time chatting with me and giving me a lot of great tomato growing advice. I received all the items I ordered exactly on time. The plants I received were absolutely mind blowingly excellent. I have never seen such strong and healthy plants of any kind. I won't hesitate to buy from Laurel again.

I am UTTERLY DISAPPONTED with the plants I received this year from Laurel. Last year more than half of the plants I got died very soon after planting because they had arrived so stressed. I blamed our Mississippi Hot Sun and did not bother Laurel with it. So this year I had the plants arrive sooner, so they would not be received in the 100+ degree heat. I was not home the day the plants arrived (Saturday), so when I got home on Monday night and the poor plants were all nearly dead... it was not hot out at all... in fact it was cool and had been cloudy and rainy for two days prior to my opening the box. The PLANTS ALL DIED now, a week later. Laurel maintains that this is all my fault, and will not even offer a discount or anything to help ease my pain. I WAY OVERPAID for these plants to begin with, but I was intrigued with the heirloom varieties.... not worth it if what is received is a box of death. For better service and much healthier plants, I recommend tomatobabycompany.com. Alainia is much more responsive and concerned for her customer's happiness than Laurel is... Laurel saw my situation as an opportunity to bilk me for another order of overpriced plants! I should have never stopped buying my plants from Alainia at tomatobabycompany.com... she did a great job with the packing and she was very pleasant and cares about her 'babies'. In short: avoid Laurel's unconcerned posh California overpriced plants that arrive dead and go with a nice country gal who will send you the best tomato starts you've ever seen. And just to let you know, I did give Laurel an opportunity to settle this situation with me and told her I would probably leave a scorching review for her on Dave's Garden... but she simply DOES NOT CARE! Spend big $$$ for DEATH-IN-A-BOX if you want to... you have been warned.

This is the second year I have ordered from Laurel's Tomatoes. I found Laurel's web page while surfing the net for different types of tomatoes. I called and we talked briefly, I placed my first order. My tomatoes came on time and they were beautiful plants. I put them in the ground and they grew and produced just as advertised. I was so impressed with how each individual plant was packaged. Great care and study was done with the design to shipping. My tomatoes arrived with all leaves attached. Not one broken little branch!! I was amazed. Laurel is very professional and knows her product! I just received my second year's order and the quality of the healthy plants didn't disappoint. The plants have quite a journey. From California to the good old Midwest, Des Moines Iowa I could and have all my years of gardening bought plants locally. I can honestly say it is worth a little extra to pay for shipping and get the quality and positivity of Laurel's Tomatoes.

I came across Laurel's excellent webpage last year, and enjoyed its literate and extremely helpful comments on all matters tomato, including cheerful links to the seed companies from which she starts her plants. I took her advice on selections, and appreciated her frank comments, but bought the plants from local purveyors. The results were promising, enough to make me believe that she deserved my business. I called her on the phone, marveling at her availability and her apparent personal interest in my project. I ordered seven plants, drove down to her Orange County location, and picked up the plants (regretting only that I did not get to meet her). I have since planted the seedlings and begun to harvest wonderful tomatoes, and my plants are now approaching six feet in height. I will say more at the end of the season, but so far, I have to say that in 40 years of gardening this is the best gardening connection I have ever made.

Shipping was quoted as estimated at $10.80. Actual shipping $23.96. Since that is more than double the quote I think I should have been notifed of the increase.

Five Star Experience ***** My order arrived in the first week of my "delivery window". The plants were beautiful and healthy. I had a large green house planned to receive them, but it was not completed in time to plant them right away. Of course they became sick as they languished waiting for the green house. I called Laurel in despair and found that she remembered me from our earlier conversation and the list of tomatoes I had ordered. We decided they had arrived too early for my season and not been in the best growing conditions since. When she initially expressed concern at my early "window" choice I assured her I would have a green house. My bad, this was my first real garden in years and I see now I was overly optimistic. She said she would put me back on the list and send me a new set of plants at the proper planting time. I was thrilled and thankful to be given a second "First" chance. Unfortunately only 2 weeks later I found out the Landlord intended to sell. I called Laurel to let her know so she could cancel the new order. She was polite as any time I have spoken with her. She understood AND she gave me a full refund, within five minutes. I will be getting my plants from Laurel next season for sure, besides, I still have a carefully chosen list of 11 delightful sounding Tomato plants I want to grow. My experience was Five Star! Janette

As a multi-year repeat customer. I again recd great personal attention, prompt delivery and follow-up from Laurel. - To Pensacola FL! The plants were superior to any available. I remain very satisfied. Keep up the Superior service and plants! Thanks.

Posted on April 6, 2011, updated April 11, 2011 This is the second year that I have ordered plants from Laurel the RUDE Tomato Lady. I was a first time customer and spent $136 on tomato starts with out shipping! I had called and emailed the first year but she kept changing when I could pick up the plants. I wanted to get my garden going and could not wait any longer. Laurel was so rude the first year because I went there on the wrong day. I would hope that Laurel would be polite enough to give me my plants and explain her schedule. Instead she snapped at her mother (she works with Laurel) when her mom offered to help me, then she fairly threw the plants and me and hustled me to my car. And it was not the full order! Wow, what a trip. All of this abuse, just for some tomato starts. After that encounter I wrote her an email to say that I thought that she was overworked, maybe was having a bad day. She wrote back to say that was the case and she was going to slow down a little. OK. I tried it again...I made an order in November 2010 for pick up in spring of 2011. I ordered and paid in advance. ($88 bucks for tomatoes!) Along with the tomato starts (6-4" plants) I ordered boxes of fertilizer and a cloth pots. She emailed me and told me approx. time when I could pick up the plants. The problem is- 1) The pick up times are useless, because you must wait for confirmation from her to proceed. And even if you go on the correct day your plants may not be ready. Calling her requires repeated calls because he phone messages are full. And it takes days to get a response from your email queries. 2) Laurel ships to the whole country so she has to consider all zones for planting. This is her issue. I don't care to line up according to her other orders. Especially since I (over) paid for them so far in advance! I'm in LA so our planting time is in late March early April. This is my issue, I just want my plants when the earth is ready for them. Cut to- I call her in the morning, I email her. No response. This is Los Angeles, we have passed our cold snap and I would like to start my garden. So I make the trek out to Lomita. She is even ruder than the year before, if that is possible. I tell her that I called and emailed. But she is very brusque and slams the door in my face abruptly cutting off my response to her snarky remark about the being the wrong day and that she is very busy. She then barks at the poor girl that works for her to pull my order and tries to tell the girl not to give me a chair while I wait... And again I do not get my full order, Double Wow!! Bottom line she is churlish and unbelievably rude to paying customers, her staff and family members. I (over) paid in advance and tried to make it work. Sorry that my schedule does not synch up to hers. I can only work on my garden in fits and spurts. Gardening is a hobby that should be fun. I cannot wait at Laurels leisure or be concerned with her business schedule protocol. So I set out to find another source for heirloom tomato starts in the Los Angeles area. The LA County Arboretum Gift Shop (626-447-8751) has an heirloom tomato (4" starts $2.50 a piece) sale every March. I went April 4th and they still had a good selection. They have a wide variety of heirloom tomato plants, locally grown, with manager Mark Hall leading a knowledgeable staff. You can buy plants and organic fertilizer without going on the grounds so you don't have to pay to get in (unless you would like to donate). I will be posting more information regarding Heirloom Tomato resources in the Southern California. I'm sure that Laurel will try to rebut this comment. So Laurel, please try to understand that everyone cannot be on your schedule, sorry. A customer paying almost 4 times the amount for a tomato start is plenty reason to be polite. When Mother Nature is ready for planting she is not concerned with your business schedule protocol. I will try to save the seeds this year in an effort NOT to do business with you and I am actively looking for other sources of heirloom tomato starts in Los Angeles. I will prove that you are not the only Tomato game in town.

Recieved my orde on time with all the correct varieties that I ordered. Planare beautiful. Very satisfied with experience

the best tomatoes in the world, plants hardened off to withstand shipping, prompt service, great feed back, the plants i got this year are still blooming and setting fruit (mid september), I currently have over 45 pounds of tomatoes in the freezer and am picking over 2 pounds a day (all this from 4 plants in large containers). I have just ordered for next year and am astounded at the wonderful experience of speaking to Laurel on the phone and placing the order.

Pros: The highest quality plants I've ever seen, packed and hardened to survive transit. Alternate selections are growing region and flavor appropriate (e.g.: maybe not the _exact_ striped tomato you wanted, but similar in flavor profile, etc.). Customer service is excellent once you reach a live person. Staff at whatever level are obviously pros at growing, packing and suitably threatening USPS /UPS to not mistreat their goods. Cons: Even with early order and payment, selection is sometimes not available and explanations are at times lacking. Order early - Q3/4 the year before you want to plant - if you want anything at all. Staffing is obviously an issue, reaching a live body from Q2-Q3 of a given year is spotty at best. Pick a ship window earlier than you think you'll need - often shipments push the "late" edge of the window. Overall: A great company that tries their hardest to please every customer. Keep their limitations in mind and you'll never be unhappy with the plants you receive or the tomatoes you'll enjoy!

I'm very happy with my experience. Laurel was personable and happy to get my plants in the mail as soon as possible. I understand the vagaries of agriculture and small businesses, so getting everything so quickly was not only a delight, but absolutely praiseworthy.

Posted on June 10, 2010, updated June 10, 2010 Posted on June 8, 2010, updated June 10, 2010 I ordered (3) heirloom plants the middle of April. I told Laurel this was my first attempt and left it up to her to pick for me. I thought she told me they would be shipped out the first week in May, but when I called she told me I was wrong and they would be shipped out the last week in May. Now I have called several times and get a full message recording. I have emailed, and faxed and I have received no response what so ever. I dont care what kind of heirlooms I get....just please dont ignore me. Refund me, send me something...just answer me please. I am the person in San Diego....Robyn.

Posted on May 20, 2010, updated June 8, 2010 This was my 3rd year of ordering from laurel, and for the 3rd year in a row I did not receive my requested plants. I have always ordered months in advance and still there is always some excuse. She is a very sweet lady and her plants always arrive in excellent condition(including the substitutes) but I feel this needs to be said. If you are a gardener in a more northern climate and have to use a later shipping date you will not receive the plants you order, if that is important to you, you may want to look elsewhere. I'm sorry laurel but 3 years in a row just can't be a coincidence. The choices you offer and the quality of your plants has kept me coming back, who knows maybe I'll see if the 4th time is the charm next year, but I just don't know:(

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS COMPANY! I have been ordering mail order plants for a long time and these are by far, the best in condition, packaging and speed at which I received them. I am so excited to get them growing and I will also revise my post as I do. I ordered my plants back in September while living in Upstate NY; Laurel personally answered the phone and took my order(a rarity these days :-), however a change in circumstance brought me back to PA. I contacted Laurel and she changed all of my shipping info ASAP and let me know that they will still be shipped on time. I am also happy with the substitutions she has provided and am not upset in the least bit; I believe she asked me in our very first conversation if I would allow her to personally pick plants if my originals were not available. Of course I said yes and am happy that she did. I still will try to get the varieties I missed this year for next growing season as I received a $10 gift certificate. Things do happen when your a gardener/farmer and I am well aware of these issues as I have been personally growing for the last 15 years. My final thought is that I am extremely happy and I will recommend Laurel's Heirloom Tomato Plants to EVERYONE I know! Best of luck to you Laurel!!!!!!

Posted on February 7, 2010, updated May 16, 2010 Posted on January 30, 2010, updated February 7, 2010 I was excited to find Laurels' Heirloom Tomatoes and really wanted to like the company. Whie the order experience was less user friendly than many companies (you can't just point and click), the selection was great and Laurel confirmed the plants I ordered should grow well in Atlanta. I received the plants ordered and the Paul Robeson looked cold damaged upon arrival. I planted the four plants and only one seemed okay. I would have written it off to our weather last year, except the dozen or so tomato plants ordered from other mail order sources were fine. I emailed Laurel and told her that 3 of the 4 plants were not thriving and received no response at all. I was disappointed that the company ignored me, but more so that they did not stand behind their plants.

In March I ordered thirty plants and was given a 15 day shipping window starting on April 17th. Being local, I wanted to pick up my plants. After calling and calling, I finally got through and Laurel told me that I could come and get them in a week. She also told me that they'd had trouble in the nursery and half of my plants weren't ready, but should be in another week. I decided not to wait and to go and get half the order, planning to return to get the rest a week later. She explained that she was doing the best she could but that I might have to take some substitutions. I went to pick them up and a very personable woman confirmed that I should come back in a week for the rest. It is now mid May, and I have been told that the rest of my order can't be filled because I placed my order too late. I can have substitutes for my original order. So, my final review is mixed. the plants I was able to get are gorgeous and healthy. I am very happy with them. But I now have to scramble 6 weeks after placing my order to get tomatoes elsewhere.I wish there had been better communication earlier, so I could have made arrangements to accommodate the change. I think that Laurel really knows her stuff, grows exceptional plants, is very nice, but maybe needs to get some more office help. Probably would have been a better experience if I had ordered fewer plants. I will probably suffer through the pain of Tomatomania next year. Hence the neutral review, but must say that her plants if you get them are beautiful and the transactions very pleasant. Just order super early and call a lot during office hours. If the voicemail is full, keep trying!!!!! Again, nice lady.

Laurel has that wonderful ability to treat each customer like he/she is the most important person in the whole universe. I like that! The plant she sent me was perfect and the conversations before and after the order were most informative and pleasant. Buy from Laurel w/ confidence.

Last year, I spent countless happy hours salivating over Laurel's Tomato pages. Her descriptions are personal, wonderful and Oh happy days!, she has little symbols showing which ones do well in heat and/or cooler weather. So this year, I ordered 4 tomato plants (plus 2 of the 25 gal smart pots) from Laurel. Laurel was delightful, taking my order. And even though I placed my order a bit later than I should have, she went out of her way to see that I got it, in time for planting. The plants arrived, beautifully packed and in excellent condition. They were a bit bent over, from their journey in darkness. But they are totally fine and happy, after a few days in the sun. I was mistakenly sent 2 of the same tomato. I called Laurel, who was once again, incredibly charming, As we spoke, she located my little lost "Super Sioux" (so good in the heat) and is sending it out to me. I could not be happier with my entire experience!

This was my first order with Laurel's Heirloom Tomatoes and it was a wonderful experience. Laurel helped choose the tomato plants for my containers, I chose a shipping date and all arrived just as promised. The tomatoes came expertly packed along with the grow pots and nutrients. The plants produced hundreds of delicious heirloom tomatoes and my neighbors are still thanking me. Any questions I had were quickly answered and professionally. I'm looking forward to working with Laurel again this year.

Received 8 plants for winter planting all in great shape. Got great information from Laurel when ordering and included in packing. Look forward to real tomatoes this winter and an early start in the "spring", whenever that is in So. Cal.

2009 was the second year ordering from laurel, both experiences were great. All of the plants I have received from her have been in perfect condition and the growing advice on her site has served me very well. Being able to talk directly with Laurel on the phone when ordering makes the experience even better as she has been completely patient with my many questions and her enthusiasm fueled my excitement for the coming tomato season. I was even surprised to find a free-be plant with my order this year (there always seems to be room for one more). My favorites this year so far are: in first place the incredible Black Sea Man tomato plant which is the most impressive black tomato I have yet to taste. Compared to a store bought Heirloom black tomato placed next to it there was no contest, the BSM was visually striking with its deep chocolaty-red color and full, almost iridescently green seed pockets. The texture is firm but creamy with a full throttle tomato flavor and delicious citrus acidity. I haven't gotten ripe tomatoes off of all the plants yet (we had a very muggy, cool spring) but I'm pretty sure there will be multiple of this plant in next years garden. Second at this stage in the season would be the green sausage tomato plant. I was worried for a bit as the plant stayed very short compared to the others; however, now the plant is very bushy and has easily 30+ tomatoes on it. They are just starting to ripen, but if they are really tasty I already know where I'm going to grow multiple GS plants next year. I'm looking forward to stuffing these with Dungeness crab meat and garlicky bread crumbs or mornay sauce and roasting till shriveled and brown on top. Thank you Laurel for operating such a wonderful small business; our country needs more entrepreneurs who are willing to work hard to keep their customers' well being held up so high on their list of priorities like you do, I look forward to the many hours I will spend scrolling through your web site deciding which plants to add to my garden next year, and the next, ...and next, ......... Peace

I picked Laura's Heirlooms to order from because of the great descriptions of the tomatoes. This helped me find good tomatoes for the humid and hot Gulf Coast. My selection was all sent and received in great condition. The packing was wonderful. My order of Smart pots were not included but Laura saw to that over site and I had them within the week. (amazing product) And the selection has performed amazingly consider we first had very cool weather, two days of down pours totally over 16 inches and then abnormal extremely hot (100s) and dry weather that has gone on for over 6 weeks. I contribute this great performance to the initial health of the plants. I will order from them again next year.

Tomatoes as ordered arrived on time and in very good condition. The packaging kept the plants perfect in transit. Plants were ready to put into the ground as promised. Very pleased .Will order again.

As a 71 year old novice gardener, who wanted to relive the wonderful experience of his youth - eating a Beefsteak tomato, that had real flavor, etc., etc. I finally, after probing the internet thoroughly, decided to buy my tomato plants from Laurel's Heirloom Tomato Plants. What a wonderful website. Everything was clear, concise, with many photos and gobs of information I needed badly. I called, spoke to Laurel at great length and placed my order. My order arrived today, on time, and everything was just as advertised. I was truly taken aback with the thought, care and engineering that went into packaging my plants so that they would arrive in perfect condition. My experience with this firm has resulted in my placing multiple orders from them and I have already recommended them to friends and family.

First time to order. Received my six plants during the time promised. Only had one substitution which I think will be ok. Planted them yesterday and they seem very happy tonight in their new home. The timing ended up being perfect since we have had cooler weather for awhile. I ordered gold dust, goose creek, lollipop, paul robeson, persimmon but got Gary Ibsen Gold and Sophie's choice. I planted Sophie's choice and paul robeson in smartpots. First time to use these. I think they are going to work out great.

This is the second time I have ordered from Laurel's. I have been very pleased with the quality of both the plants and the service. I fully expect to continue ordering from this merchant. I particularly like the fact that Laurel has been willing to ship plants to me a full month ahead of our average last frost when other growers will not do so. This allows me to get a headstart on our short season since I use ample frost protection. Keep up the good work. Catherine Albuquerque NM

I have purchased tomatoes from Laurel for the past few years. I am a rather new gardener so was looking for quality plants that would be forgiving of my inexperience. The first year tomatoes produced beyond my wildest expectations. The next year the production was beyond my neighbors wildest expectations. The following year neighbors were stopping buy to check the ripening progress. I have been delighted with the personal interaction, business practices and quality of tomatoes. I am anxiously waiting for this year's shippment. I know that once again the value, service and product will exceed expectations. If you are looking for heirlooms this is the place to find the best!

Wish I could give Laurel a thousand positive votes! I have been a customer for several years and continue to be blown away by what this wonderful company provides. *A second-to-none website with detailed info about (currently) 160 tomato varieties. Way more info than any seed catalog, and also, sorted by colors, size, and other info if you need to narrow it down a bit. I spend lots and lots of time in the late fall/winter here, dreaming about the coming summer and creating and recreating lists of the plants I want. *Genuine, old fashioned customer support. Laurel answers the phone and really talks to you about what you are looking for, your concerns, and has guided me through that tough "do I choose this one or that one" for the last spot in my garden. She also is available for consultation for a fee, which I have never needed too much of her time, but if I did, the fee would be more than worth it for her expertise! *She grows her plants without any pesticides, chemicals, and encourages her customers to garden organically as well. She carries products that really help you feed your soil, so the soil feeds the plants. It is very hard to find sustainably grown tomato plants in more than just a few varieties (I love Brandywine as much as the next farmers market shopper, but try finding all these different tomato plants grown organically anywhere near you! I certainly can't, and I live in California!!) *The packaging and shipping continues to blow me away. These plants arrive in layers of protection (almost all of it compostable/recycleable cardboard- yeah!) and are in perfect condition---- every single time. You can feel the love that goes into that shipping box, I swear! *The enclosed instructions are like gold. I have them stashed in my garden journal for future use. She really wants you to be successful at this, and gives you all the info you need... and more. *I have had amazing results and been able to have wonderful tomatoes that look and taste like I had only hoped. The neighbors are amazed and grateful for the extras, the kids are covered in tomato juice and smiles from eating fresh warm fruit just off the vine, and I am happy that I am teaching them what real food tastes like. I truly believe that "each dollar is a vote", and I am happy to support buisnesses such as Laurel's Heirloom Tomatoes. I feel that the price I pay for them is more than worth it. I will happily reserve my tomato order for many more years to come. Leanna W. aka arwmommy

WHAT A FANTASTIC FIND!!! I Discovered This Great, Informative Web Site While Searching for the Hard to Find "RAMAPO" (Jersey Tomato) Plants. Not Only Did I Find Them, but Also MANY Other Interesting Varieties of Tomatoes, Peppers & Basil Plants I Never Knew Existed! I was Very Impressed by Laurel's Knowledge, Willingness to Answer My Questions & Provide Helpful Advice. I was Surprised When She Answered the Phone Personally and Called Me Back Within Minutes When I Needed to Revise My Order a Few Days Later. I Am so Excited to have Found this Grower and to be Able to Plant & Grow Some of the Extraordinary Varieties She Offers!!!

I have been buying from Laurel for over 5 years now. I show at the State and local fairs since getting my plants from her all my tomato's have been 1st place and Best of show and largest tomato, thats no lie. This has got to be the finest tomato company on the planet. She has the best plants and packaging. She always send out the best plants, not them little scruwny ones you get from other companys. Laurel is got to be the most helpful owner, she always has time for me and all my questions either on the phone or by e-mails. I have placed my order for 2009 and will looking forward to getting my babies. Laurel has study all areas of the county and knows when is the best time to send your plants out which insure good healthy plants on arrival if there should be a problem she will take care of it personally Also if you would like them early to put in you greenhouse she will do that. She cares for each and every customer and she makes sure you get the best, and nothing less. I can not understand how someone after 3 years is now complain about the service she says she got from Laurel after 3 years I am wondering if she even has the right supplier. I would highly recommend that you give her a try I know you won't be disappointed. If she dosen't have what your looking for she will have the next best plant or one better.

Laurel's site came up today when I did a google search. I see that she still refers to early ordering to reserve shipping window and varieties. My experience leads me to believe that my early order was meaningless in reserving my varieties. About three years ago I ordered between Christmas and New Years for a late, Northern Minnesota shipping date. I got a call after Memorial Day from Laurel encouraging me to cancel my order. She mentioned heavy losses from a real bad spring and rang off some of the varieties I ordered that she didn't have. I asked about the two types that were the primary reason I let her charge my card for upward of $200 five months previously. She said that she had plenty of those types. I said to go ahead and ship those. I then agreed, on her request, to let her fill in whatever else she had to make volume. There was then this long silence followed by an evasive, "it will take three weeks to get them packed, you won't want them that late". I told her that I had a small greenhouse and could bring the pollinated plants in to finish ripening. The conversation cordially ended and I waited for weeks with no further communication. I never got a shipment, but finally a check at the end of July. The spring in SoCal was bad that year but this did not provide adequate alibi for why a very early order for her final shipping window couldn't be met when she said she had the plants. Early shipping date plants may have been lost, but my late shipping date plants should have been started late enough to escape the weather. Did those who ordered later with an earlier shipping date end up with my plants? Did she have customers whose importance preceded my early, paid for reservation? I requested in e-mails for her into reserve plants for me on subsequent years without charging my card until shipment. This seemed fair since she sat on money for 7 months and never shipped varieties she admitted to having in stock. I was refused this request. Laurel seems like a very nice person who gets overextended and doesn't handle the situations forthrightly.

Yes, 2006 was a tough year.

It was not a weather problem. We lost some plants to some weird bacterial disease we had never seen before or since, and I could not send plants to some of our customers that season.
I called each one personally and offered a full refund or lots of free plants the following year. All refunds were made timely, as promised, and many customers were thrilled in 2007 to get 12 plants instead of the 6 they had paid for in 2006. (Of course, we hold all prepaid monies from our customers in a trust account.)

I would never promise plants knowing they may not have produced fruit in a small hobby greenhouse after being completely hardened off here in California, so I expect I told this customer a refund would be the best way to go. Never a 'long silence' or 'evasive'. Not my way.

We would not have refused to take an order without pre-payment. Some folks may not want to pay in advance and that's okay and understandable. It only means we may not have the exact plants they want at shipping time.

Looks like we didn't make this customer happy 3 years ago
It really is difficult to glean the facts when we do not know who they are, making it impossible to find any information.

We have moved on since that difficult year and have thousands of very happy customers. This customer has not ordered since 2006. We sent a full and timely refund as promised so it's challenging to understand why he or she is still upset 3 years later.

I cannot imagine staying mad all this time after a full timely refund and heartfelt apology. I remember those calls I had to make. It was very difficult for everyone.

Every customer is important to me! Life is short, we must try to enjoy it!

Happy Gardening in 2009,

Laurel

Laurel Garza
Owner, Laurel's Heirloom Tomato Plants
Los Angeles, California
310 534 8611

I had a wonderful experience with Laurel's Heirloom Tomatoes! I called expecting to get a recording and Laurel answered herself!!! She was very friendly and helpful! When I got my plants they were in great condition and once in the garden, they flourished! Got lots of wonderful colorful heirloom tomatoes and impressed my friends and neighbors with green and purple salsa! Can't wait to buy more!

Hi Laurel, I wanted to let you know that I received my 10 fabulous tomato plants just as promised. I unexpectedly had to go out of town, but left my husband in charge of tending to the "babies" until I got home under threat of wife thrashing. I decided this year to plant in containers (containers and raised beds are much easier in south Florida with regard to insects) and have just finished. I swear the babies I put in yesterday have grown overnight! I am extremely pleased with my first order from you. I will let you know about production as soon as they start to do so and expect a phone call from me in the next week or 2 to place my order for spring. Thanks again, Ara

Bought about 40 (the majority) of my plants this year from Laurel and have had - BY FAR - my best tomato crop !! Choclate Stripes Vintage Wine Aunt Ruby's German Green All produced fine tomatoes but the three above were really stand outs. Wart

I am so impressed with Laurel's personal touch to customer service. I emailed a couple of times, she answered promptly both times. Ordering was simple. First it started with a "good feeling." So good, I had to replicate my order for my Mom. My mom's tomatoes arrived first (SoCal) and I asked how it looked, the packing, etc. First of all, it's right on schedule, if not earlier. The plants were impeccably packed. Best of all, the plants LOOKED GREAT! I received mine yesterday (NorCal), and I could attest to the same things. Two of the plants have flowers! Now it's all up to me to grow those babies!

Hi A. I. ,

Yes, I am okay and yes, TomatoFest is over. Thank you for your concern.
It occurs to me that you must not have seen the anouncement at our website that we were on our usual 2 week vacation during the week before and after Tomatofest. It was also announced on our telephone message machine while we were out of town that the office was closed until today, Sept 22nd. I thought we had notified you about the loss of the Green Zebra plants but I can see you did not know they wouldn't be available and that we were offering a refund or another plant of your choice along with one for your mom. Somehow that email did not reach you. Email can be so unreliable; I wish you had tel;ephoned the office so we could have avoided this mix-up.

When I got back this morning and saw your email from the 7th, I emailed you right away to explain the situation, then saw your new post at Dave's Garden on our other email address. I'm sure we can work it out in a way which will make you happy. I have also left you a telephone message. Talk soon!

Sincerely,

Laurel

I am truly impressed! I'm retired at age 84 after owning my own business for over 40 years. I know what problems are when you build a better mousetrap and the world rushes to your door. More phone orders, more shipping, more work, more worker bees, vacations, etc. I do recognize a professional when I see one and she is one. I have just erased all of the other web addresses for tomato plants and/or seeds. These plants arrived this afternoon in Las Vegas, NV in perfect condition. I don't even have to rush to put them into the ground. If you think you have problems growing tomatoes in the north, east, south or even in California...just try Las Vegas! Temp today is 112 dgs! I haven't seen the end product yet but I'll bet these plants will produce just like she said they would. I trust her. Thank you Laurel....I'll be back, believe me.

This is my first year ordering from Laurel and I couldn't be happier. I ordered 6 plants and only 1 wasn't available, but I received a wonderful replacement. All of the tomotoes are growing very well and I can't wait to eat them. I was very impressed by the packaging of the plants so that they arrived without any damage. The plants also arrived with very detailed documentation on how to plant and care for them. I will definitely purchase from here again.

I placed my first tomato order late in the Spring...we had helpful phone advice, and e.mails from Laurel and her staff. We knew when the tomatoes were coming....and even though I had doubts about little plants traveling 3 days across hot, hot, hot country....they arrived green, perky, strong, and absolutely ready to get in the ground right away. My only mistake was not ordering sooner, so i believe that i will be placing my order for 2009 in October of 2008. Thanks to Laurel for being a tomato growing and shipping wizard. The planting and care instructions were so comprehensive that all aspects were covered.

I ordered from Laurel's for the first time and am extremely happy with her site. The site is thorough, easily read, and very self-explanatory! I had no trouble ordering except to curb my spending of corse! Her shipping procedures are wonderful, I've done alot of web purchasing and her packaging is 1st. class! All e-mails were answered promptly and graciously within hours of sending them! I don't know how she does it? She has got to be super busy with growing and shipping in the spring but is always cheery and pleasant! This is a woman who truly loves her work. I would love to work for her if I lived near her. The plants arrived in super condition and are growing like crazy! Thank you Laurel and I will order again!

This is my 3rd year ordering from Laurel and I couldn't be more pleased with my tomato plants and personalized service. I positively drool over her website and wish I could have them all, but I live in the mountains (3 days of frost in mid-June followed by 90+ degree weather) and need to focus an shorter ripening times so some of them are just not feasible for my garden. When I call to order, I have an idea of what I'd like, and which ones I really, really want. I learned from my first call to Laurel that she is an absolute guru when it comes to knowing what will grow well in any climate and I trust her completely when it comes to the matter of any substitutions and she knows my tastes and recommends accordingly. Yes, they get extremely busy and I may get a little (overly)anxious to plant, but when those tomatoes arrive in perfect condition all nestled nicely in their protective packaging, I know I've made the right decision by ordering from her. My phone encounters with her and her daughter have been very professional, helpful and, most of all, fun to talk with about tomatoes! I ordered plants a few years back from a grower on e-Bay and was really disappointed. With Laurel's Heirloom Tomatoes I know I'm going to get healthy plants that produce yummy tomatoes. I won't even buy plants locally any more. Why should I when I can have such fun getting awesome tomatoes from someone who knows and loves what they're doing?

Wonderfully positive....The website is fantastic....all instructions are clear...she has done a great job covering all issues...about picking your plants...placing your order....shipping instructions...the substitution policy.....I fully understood from the beginning exactly how my order would be handled.....One of the boxes I was to receive was delayed by the UPS/Postal Service and arrived 4 days later than the original boxes...I was very concerned that the plants might be dead by then...(total of 7 days travel time)...however because of the quality packaging that Laura uses my plants were safe sound and healthy when I received them...Even though Laura had no control over the shipping and that UPS/Postal Service does not guarantee perishables she was going to replace me plants at no charge to me if they arrived dead....which I felt was a lot for her to do since it was not her fault that the plants were delayed.. ...All of my plants arrived healthy and in beautiful condition....I am a little surprised at a recent complaint listed here...because all of this person's issues are covered on the website prior to ordering...all one has to do is read.

I have been buying tomato plants from Laurel for a few years now and would like to comment on my experience. I can sincerely say that Laurel's heirloom tomato plants are the very best plants available, anywhere. What you receive are healthy plants that are just the right size (big enough to make it yet not "leggy"), they are SUPER carefully packed for shipment (secured in their pots with cut to fit bubble pack and cardboard, plastic bagged for humidity control and then inserted into cardboard sleeves before going into the large shipping container). They grow like crazy once they hit the dirt. This year my plants got hung up for a few days (in transit for five days during 90 degree temperatures), but when I unpacked them they were still fresh as could be. People who pay that much attention to the care and shipping of seedlings are GOOD people. I have spoken with Laurel on the phone a couple times and she is very pleasant and cheerful. She told me she sends thousands of plants in a season! No wonder the shipping dates fill up so quickly - the early bird gets the quickest tomato plants! They will even plant seeds for YOUR order if you want a specific species! You can't beat that kind of service! If the lady who complained about the high cost of UPS can do something about it, have her call AMAZON.com and get them to lower the $3.99 shipping charge for a one-penny used book (but I still buy them). I fully intend to try all one hundred and sixty varieties of Laurel's Heirloom Tomato Plants. I can care for six a year, so that will take me through the year 2035 !