the best early heirloom

[moucheur]

Gregori's Altai is the earliest, tastiest large slicer I've grown.

I've grown some earlier, smaller ones, but I don't know what to do with golf ball sized maters. How many salads can you eat?

[frankkj]

I like Bloody Butcher. Not real big in size, but big in taste IMHO. Used to grow a bush "Boy" variety for fall that was quick and tastefull, but I can't remember the name.

Frank

That shows how old I'm getting. The "bush Boy" isn't an OP or heirloom any which away. Sorry.

[eyolf]

Nobody has mentioned Kotlas yet: my MN garden sees it every year. Very similar to Kimberley and Stupice, but slight edge in flavor (here). Earlier by a few days than Matina and Bloody Butcher, and a week or more over Burrwood Prize.

There are others; Sophie's choice is certainly early, but has been dissapointing producer for me...usually only about 2 or 3 fruits over 5 oz, and I don't like the mushy texture.

I have been liking a Canadian-bred variety, Melfort. 4-5 oz, ripens within a day or two of the Beaverlodge (subarctic) tomatoes, but is more like a real tomatoe in taste and texture.

Gurney's used to sell an OP called Cold Set that was actually pretty good, and Burpee's had a hybrid that was almost a clone known as "Northern Exposure". Both were determinate, and would not hold ripe fruits on the vine (or cupboard) for any length of time, however.

I have seeds for all the above varieties...some have gotten hard to find commercially.

[Sherry_AK]

eyolf -- You're the only other person I've ever heard mention that they grow Northern Exposure. It's still available from Burpee. I've grown it every year for many years now. (Although as I deplete my seed supply, I may not reorder since I think Burpee's prices have become outrageous!) Interesting that you say it won't hold ripe fruit on the vine. I've never seen that problem ... but maybe I'm always too eager to pick them! Not the greatest taste, but not too bad either and it is very dependable.

Sherry

[jwr6404]

Earliest and very productive tomato I've grow was the Grushkova.

[eyolf]

Sherry: I think its great that N. Exposure is a good choice for you. My point was that I thought it merely OK...it really is large enough to make a B-L-T early on in the season, but in my garden, they look pretty feeble next to the better ones later on. I haven't eaten tomatoes out of everyone's garden, but it appears that what is good in one region is not well liked in another.

If Burpees prices are getting too much, by all means, try Cold-Set, and save seed. In my garden, they were nearly indistinguishable...except that Cold Set was slightly more variable, as might be expected from an OP.

[obispo45]

I've seen this post on here for the last little bit, but never viewed it until right now. Few seconds before I opened it a handful of ones came to mind. CAN'T believe it....first one I thought of was Gregori's Altai, I kid you not!!!!! I've also had good luck w/ Grushovka as well. If I was "forced" to only grow one smaller sized, early heirloom think I'd go with Bali, which is a real nice 2 to 3oz pinkish/purple, slightly flattened/ pleated one. Done real well for me in varying cond's last few years... a real productive sweet and tasty great all around workhorse. Also have grown Togo Trefele, which IMO is rather similar to Bali but its just a bit later with more variation in fruit size and color. Worth a try too. Cheers!!

[rxkeith]

hey yopper,

earlier varieties that have done well for me are matina, gregoris altai, golden sunrise (a large cherry type), and mcclintock. i got mcclintock from craig a few years ago when he had one of his old seed offers. i had one seed sprout. it survived transplanting when i accidently ripped off most of its roots, and went on to do well in the garden. its yooper tough. i grow it every year now. i have seeds if you need some.

keith in calumet

[richardsom]

Several years ago I grew all the "earlies" I could find....Matina, Stupice, Sophie's Choice, several different Russian varieties...altogether about 10 that are known as earlies. Although the size isn't much larger than a 50 cent piece my first tomato of the year is always a Stupice. Overall they might not be as productive as the Matina over the course of the season but they sure hit my taste buds just right when I haven't had one of my own for many months. Mark

[Andrey_BY]

Originally Posted by lumierefrere

Schelkovsky. Under 50 days incredibly prolific.

Shchyolkovskiy Ranniy - about 40 days

[moucheur]

Some years back Sasha's Altai seems to have been a popular early variety. Haven't heard much buzz about it lately. Anybody know why?

[Tomstrees]

My most producitve is Bloody Butcher.
Greenies everywhere ... waiting for taste...

~ Tom

[Worth1]

Not for long!

Attachment 1276

[Sherry_AK]

moucheur -- I'm growing Sasha's Altai for the first time this year and am looking forward to trying it. It's a small plant just loaded up with medium-sized tomatoes.

Sherry

[bluelytes]

WORTH1,
Ok, but WHERE do I send my 10.00 TO?? Ya left no addy!!