BUSH OR CORDON?
Abraham Lincoln is a cordon variety (indeterminate) of tomato and therefore grows best if it is
pruned. This variety produces heavy fruit and the fruit-bearing stems will almost always need to be supported.
APPEARANCE AND TASTE OF ABRAHAM LNCOLN TOMATO
The fruits have a deep red skin when fully ripe which is slightly tougher than average. The tomatoes are on the large size, expect an average fruit weight of about 500g / 1lb. The shape of the individual tomatoes does vary although they are roughly round with the odd bump and lump on them.
Abraham Lincoln Tomatoes
The flavour is rich and the texture is dense and meaty. Ideal for slicing and using in sandwiches, salads and sauces. This variety produces ripe tomatoes mid to late season and they will continue to do so until the weather turns decidedly chilly. They will grow under cover or out in the open when the number of trusses should be kept at three for maximum fruit production.
For all the tomato varieties which we have fully reviewed, click the drop down box below, select a variety and then click the More Information Button.
BUYING ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN THE UK
As of 2021 there are only a few producers of the original Abraham Lincoln seeds in the UK. One of them is
Nicky’s Nursery.
WHEN TO SOW ABRAHAM LINCOLN SEED
The key dates for sowing and planting out Abraham Lincoln tomato seeds are given below.
The dates displayed below are correct for the UK average. If you want them to be even more accurate and adjusted for your area of the UK click here. It only takes a minute and the adjustment affects every date in this site and lasts for six months.
We do not recommend sowing seed of this variety directly in the ground.
- Sow seeds in pots indoors
Second week of March - Pot up young plants
Second week of April - Harden off young plants
First week of May - Plant out young plants
Third week of May
WHEN TO HARVEST ABRAHAM LINCOLN TOMATOES
This variety is a cordon type tomato and if they are pruned in that way you can expect to be picking your first tomatoes in the first week of August
If you need any more information on growing this variety,
click here to go to our main tomato page.
SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS OF
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
F1 OR OPEN POLLINATED?: Open pollinated and will grow true from saved seed. Click here for clear instructions and even clearer pictures on how to save seeds from Abraham Lincoln tomatoes.
GROWTH TYPE: Cordon, best pruned
WHERE TO GROW: Under cover or outdoors in a protected position.
USE: Salads, sandwiches, sauces and by itself
SKIN COLOUR / TEXTURE: Deep red, slightly thicker than average
FLESH COLOUR: Red
TASTE AND TEXTURE: Excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. Thick, dense flesh which slices easily.
STORAGE: Excellent ripening ability on a window sill
TOMATO SIZE: Large
REGULARITY OF CROPPING: Regularly produces a good yield
AWARDS: None
SPECIAL FEATURES: Reliable producer of large tomatoes
Other varieties which may also be of interest include:
| BLACK RUSSIAN | CRIMSON CRUSH |
| AMISH PASTE | AILSA CRAIG |
COMMENTS / QUESTIONS LEFT BY OUR READERS
Sometimes our readers ask specific questions which are not covered in the main article above. Our
Outdoor Tomatoes comment / question and answer page
lists their comments, questions and answers. At the end of that page there is also a form for you to submit any new question or comment you have.
When and How to Sow Tomato Seed
Ongoing Care
Pruning Tomatoes
Pest and Disease
Tomato Nutrient Defficiency
Save Tomato Seeds
Tomato Variety Review
Tomato Question and Answer
ABRAHAM LINCOLN TOMATOES
By David Marks
There are a couple of tomato variety impostors with names that sound like “Abraham Lincoln”. The most common is “Abe Lincoln” which is not the same as “Abraham Lincoln”.
Dating back to 1923, the original variety can be grown under cover or in a protected position outside. The fruits are large and have a solid flesh which makes slicing them very easy.