{"id":6760,"date":"2026-10-30T17:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T17:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/?p=6760"},"modified":"2026-10-30T17:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T17:39:15","slug":"lees-sweet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tomat-pomidor.com\/en\/lees-sweet\/","title":{"rendered":"Lee’s Sweet Tomato Review & Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\ud83c\udf45 Quick take:<\/strong> Lee’s Sweet<\/strong>\u00a0is a mid-season artisan cross created by American breeder Lee Goodwin<\/strong> of J&L Gardens by crossing Pittsburg Potato Top<\/em> with Chianti Rose<\/em>. Released as an early-generation line, growers report ongoing genetic segregation<\/strong>: true types throw potato-leaf foliage with dense, pink heart-to-boat shaped slicers weighing 9-17 oz (250-500 g)<\/strong>, while rogues throw regular-leaf vines with barrel or oblate fruit. When properly ripened under warm summer sun, it delivers exceptional sweetness and thick, meaty flesh. Full summary \u2193<\/a><\/div>\n

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Growers’ Notes and Photos (USDA Zones 4-5 Experience)<\/h2>\n

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Alisa (Irina) \u2b50 Pro Grower (6,406 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Bought Lee’s Sweet directly from Lee Goodwin himself back in June. This is Lee’s own variety, named in his honor. The seeds arrived in gorgeously designed packaging, neatly packed with his business card and all the trimmings.<\/p>\n

The seeds looked pristine, so curiosity got the better of me and I started them late in June. During the first week of August, I potted it up outdoors into a 2-2.5 gallon (8-10 L) container. Mine threw regular foliage instead of the advertised potato leaf, looks like the variety is still segregating and not fully stable yet.<\/p>\n

By late September, it had finished flowering and set three full trusses. Because of the late season weather, I thinned it down to two clusters plus one lone fruit on the third cluster, stripping the rest. The plant looks vigorous and healthy, and the fruit are sizing up nicely.<\/p>\n

Whether I will actually get to sample ripe fruit this season with nighttime temps dropping to 39-46\u00b0F (+4 to +8\u00b0C), I cannot say, but I am hoping. Here is how the vine looks as of October 9, 2015. Showing the second cluster, couldn’t squeeze the camera in to shoot the first one:<\/p>\n

Edited October 11, 2015 by Alisa<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Lee's<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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voditsa (Ardak) \u2b50 Pro Grower (3,063 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Almaty, Kazakhstan (USDA Zone 5)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Irina, did you ever run Lee’s Sweet again? How did the off-type taste after ripening in those cold fall nights?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Tatunya (Tanya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (13,844 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Istra District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mine has potato leaf foliage… \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Danko (Elena) \u2b50 Pro Grower (10,117 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mine is potato leaf too, and it is a pretty solid variety! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Tatunya (Tanya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (13,844 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Istra District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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I liked it a lot. Sure, it is not a giant 1-pounder, but it is right in my sweet spot for size \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Alisa (Irina) \u2b50 Pro Grower (6,406 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Irina, did you ever run Lee’s Sweet again? How did the off-type taste after ripening in those cold fall nights?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It wasn’t a rogue seed mix-up. It was just a young variety segregating back to regular leaf. Lee actually gave a heads up about that possibility. I was actually glad, because I personally prefer regular leaf over potato leaf anyway.<\/p>\n

The shape, fruit color, and maturity days matched the description spot on. We managed to harvest and sample two full clusters that very same fall. Since it ripened late in deep autumn chill, the taste came out balanced and savory-sweet, with fruit easily clearing 9+ oz (250+ g). My guess is that if it had ripened under blazing summer sun, the sugars would have dominated completely.<\/p>\n

It didn’t earn a spot on my annual grow list, but it will definitely be kept in my 4-year rotation for variety. We genuinely enjoyed it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ilja (Ilya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Klinsky District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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My Lee’s Sweet only developed true sweetness starting from the third cluster. Looks like early erratic weather kept it from bulking up sugars initially.<\/p>\n

Productivity was solid, with medium-sized, dense, meaty fruit. Regular leaf foliage for me.<\/p>\n

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voditsa (Ardak) \u2b50 Pro Grower (3,063 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Almaty, Kazakhstan (USDA Zone 5)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ilya, where did your seeds come from?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ilja (Ilya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Klinsky District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ilya, where did your seeds come from?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Seeds came from Boris over at chile-shop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Tatunya (Tanya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (13,844 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Istra District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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ilja: My Lee’s Sweet..<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\ud83e\udd14 Perfectly round fruit? Mine came out slightly flattened oblate \ud83e\udd37<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ilja (Ilya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Klinsky District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Tatunya: Perfectly round fruit? Mine came out slightly flattened oblate \ud83e\udd37<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mine looked a lot more like a small barrel or pouch.<\/p>\n

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Galina P. (Galina) \u2b50 Pro Grower (37,710 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Moscow \/ Chekhov District, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Alisa: It wasn’t a rogue seed mix-up. It was just a young variety segregating back to regular leaf…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hey folks, what is the actual official variety description for this tomato? Not a single post here has described the plant traits beyond whether the foliage is potato leaf or regular leaf \ud83e\udd37<\/p>\n

How tall does it get, what color and shape should the fruit be, what is its intended kitchen use, and where is it meant to be grown, in a greenhouse or outdoors?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ilja (Ilya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Klinsky District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Galina P.: Hey folks, what is the actual official variety description for this tomato?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Redko lists it as 10.5-17.5 oz (300-500 g), oblate beefsteak shape, potato leaf. My plant had regular leaf foliage. Guessing I ended up with seeds saved from an off-type split.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Tatunya (Tanya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (13,844 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Istra District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Galina, mine had potato leaf foliage, grew it inside the greenhouse. I wouldn’t call it an overly aggressive monster vine. Maybe semi-determinate? It definitely didn’t climb out of control. Seeds were from Redko.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Galina P. (Galina) \u2b50 Pro Grower (37,710 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Moscow \/ Chekhov District, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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ilja: Redko lists it as 10.5-17.5 oz (300-500 g), oblate beefsteak shape, potato leaf…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks, Ilya! \ud83d\udc90 Only thing is, looking at your photo, your fruit doesn’t look oblate at all, looks way more like a pouch or purse \ud83d\ude33 From what I gather from the posts above, the segregated split was still oblate. You might have gotten a complete rogue seed mix-up \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ilja (Ilya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Klinsky District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Galina P.: You might have gotten a complete rogue seed mix-up \ud83d\ude41<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yeah, Galina, could easily be a mislabeled seed pack. Thanks!<\/p>\n

Edited November 24, 2016 by Drosera<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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borchanochka (Polina) \u2b50 Pro Grower (9,895 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Bor, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Hold on a second, folks! Take a closer look at Irina’s (Alisa) photo. Those fruit are definitely far from flat-oblate beefsteaks too \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

Edited November 24, 2016 by Drosera<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Galina P. (Galina) \u2b50 Pro Grower (37,710 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Moscow \/ Chekhov District, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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borchanochka: Take a closer look at Irina’s photo…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You’re right! Irina’s look much more heart-shaped \ud83e\udd37 \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ilja (Ilya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Klinsky District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Found this photo on an overseas listing:<\/p>\n

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voditsa (Ardak) \u2b50 Pro Grower (3,063 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Almaty, Kazakhstan (USDA Zone 5)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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borchanochka: Hold on a second, folks! Take a closer look at Irina’s photo…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To my eye, Irina’s fruit even look slightly ribbed. A breeder note online describes the “true” fruit as a boat or heart shape, pink with green shoulders, and potato-leaf foliage.<\/p>\n

Edited November 24, 2016 by voditsa<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ilja (Ilya) \u2b50 Pro Grower (758 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Klinsky District, Moscow Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Here is a snippet from an interview with the breeder himself, Lee Goodwin, talking about Lee’s Sweet:<\/p>\n

Lee’s is actually not an heirloom tomato. I crossed Pittsburg Potato Top and Chianti Rose and the second year I got one plant with heart-shaped fruit rather than beefsteak. This year I set out three which bred true and production was good. I was pulling 6-8 a week off each plant during most of the season until the freeze shut them down. It is a big plant and midseason, about 75-78 days.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Edited November 24, 2016 by ilja<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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borchanochka (Polina) \u2b50 Pro Grower (9,895 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Bor, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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So the true fruit for this variety \ud83e\udd37 should be heart-to-pear shaped with dense beefsteak meat, and definitely not flat-round oblate \ud83d\udcdd That is a pretty critical detail for any variety description, in my humble opinion \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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voditsa (Ardak) \u2b50 Pro Grower (3,063 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Almaty, Kazakhstan (USDA Zone 5)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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borchanochka: So the true fruit for this variety should be heart-to-pear shaped…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Polina, haven’t grown it myself yet, just doing research. On the breeder’s site it says:<\/p>\n

The true tomato has a boat or heart shape, color is pink with green shoulders, and foliage is potato leaf.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ElenaN (Elena) \u2b50 Pro Grower (28,513 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kostroma, Russia (USDA Zone 3b\/4a)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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I grew Lee’s as well, originally from Redko’s seed stock. Foliage was potato leaf. The fruit were much closer to flat-oblate beefsteaks.<\/p>\n

Here are the sources and shapes I tracked down for Lee’s Sweet across the web:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/seeds.ca\/seedliving\/productDetails-129
\nhttps:\/\/jandlgardens.com\/catalog\/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=193
\nhttps:\/\/www.bonanza.com\/listings\/Lee-s-Sweet-tomato-seeds\/23924576<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Anela (Elena) \u2b50 Pro Grower (3,218 posts)<\/span><\/div>\n
\ud83d\udccd Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia (USDA Zone 4)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Grew it in 2015 inside the greenhouse. Ran late for me, started ripening in late August. Very sweet. Seeds were from Redko.<\/p>\n

Edited November 25, 2016 by Anela<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Lee's<\/a>
\n\"Lee's<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Full Summary: Lineage, Segregation & Flavor<\/h2>\n