Are Anna Russian and Pruden's Purple early?

[greggf]

I know that Anna Russian and Pruden's Purple have reputations for being fairly early varieties compared to most, but is that true in practice? Does experience show that they come in before most other heirlooms?

What are good seed sources for these varieties?

Finally, do Azoychka, Kimberly, and Jaune Flamme come in even earlier than the above, in actual practice?

I'd like alternatives to the devils-that-I-know, the Early Girls and the Early Picks and the UltraSweets, the latter two of which even taste okay and are dead-on reliable.

=gregg=

[bizzarbazzar]

Kimberly came in super early for me this year and although Anna Russian was started a little late, in our super short season I got a nice crop of Anna Russian.

Heather
(Only my opinion though and my opinion is often incorrect)

[Polar_Lace]

Check out this list at the The Potting Shed at the Fullerton Arboretum

Look for this Phrase down near the Bottom - List of Monster Tomatoes It's a PDF. I saved a copy on my computer.

[Suze]

Pruden's Purple has never been particularly early for me, nor is it late. I guess I would put it squarely at midseason.

Anna is early-mid to mid all the times I've grown it.

Azoychka was early-mid for me this spring.

Jaune Flammee is earlyish to early-mid all the times I've grown it.

Kimberly was extremely early. Had first Kim fruit on April 11, about 90 days from seed. Speaking of earlies, have you tried Taxi? It is very early. It is a little too mild for my liking, but you've mentioned liking mild tomatoes before.

TGS has seeds for Pruden's Purple, Anna Russian, Azoychka, and Jaune Flammee.

Victory or Sand Hill carries Kimberly, Johnny's for the Taxi (or I can send you some Kim and Taxi in a couple of months if you remind me).

[greggf]

Wow. Great info, all!

Suze,
My wife and I have a love/hate deal with Taxi. A couple of seasons it has been great (and mild), but a couple it has tasted off, a bit like mud. So we pass on that now, although it is early and reliable.

I've had my eye on Kimberly from Victory, so thanks for the confirmation.

Since we do prefer mild tomatoes, my wife suggests we stick with Early Girl. I'm not quite sure I'm that frustrated yet.

=gregg=

[barkeater]

gregg, Anna and Prudens both came in earlier than most other big tomatoes for me. Jaune Flamme came in 12 days sooner than Anna Russian this year (8/2 vs. 8/14).

[Tormato]

Gregg,

First Kimberly fruit in 42 days, second in 49 days, many in 55 days.

Anna Russian in 65 days.

Prudence Purple in 70 days.

Gary

[Ruth_10]

Anna Russian and Sungold were the first ripes for me (except for Stupice, which I planted out really early). Pruden's Purple was late season for me.

[kimpossible]

Kimberly was the first out of 85 varieties in my garden this year.

[Raymondo]

I don't think I'd class Jaune Flammée as mild. It packs quite a punch for a small tomato - tart and tangy. But that's just my opinion, and the way I like my tomatoes.
And I'd class it as early to mid-season.