choices, an early tomato

[Wi-sunflower]

I will second Matina as a good early, tho not very big at only about 2-3 bites.

Very similar to Matina is Russian Apple Tree. Some sources say it's really just a re-named Matina, but for me it has been just a bit different. A couple of days earlier and a tiny bit bigger.

A variety that isn't heirloom but many people like is 4th of July. I've actually had ripe tomatoes on or near July 4 even tho we don't plant out til early June.

Carol

[riceke]

Originally Posted by KathyDC

I've never grown it myself, but you could try Earliana. It was introduced in ~1900 and is supposed to be an earlier variety (not as early as others though - I think it's around 65 days). But if you're looking for an early heirloom, as opposed to just something that's open pollenated, you might consider it.

Kathy

Got to agree with Kathy on this. I've grown Earliana about 3 or 4 years and everytime it produce a good amount of fairly large fruit (baseball sized). It's was always consistent and did produce early. The first fruits are large and then tend to get smaller when the heat comes in. On the downside for some is that they seem to produce all at once but that's what I like about them since nothing seems to grow anyway when the heat and humidity comes in.

[wally mcgee]

Wow, a lot of choices. I think I shall pick 4 or 5 and give them a try next season and see which one I like best. Looks like a good cherry tom would do the trick, as some of you mentioned. Thanks for all your ideas., its wonderful to have a place like this.

[Tania]

There is also an early tomato called 'McGee'


I am growing it for seeds this year. It is offered by Victory Seeds.

Tatiana

[tlintx]

You know, if you have room for five varieties, you have room for ten pruned. I'm just saying.

[tomatoguy]

Clear Pink Early.

mater

[themarta]

I second Beaverlodge Slicer. Always the earliest for me up here. The taste is not sensational compared to some of the later ones but it is a very good tasting tomato.

[wally mcgee]

Originally Posted by tlintx

You know, if you have room for five varieties, you have room for ten pruned. I'm just saying.

Ok, give me the top ten

[tlintx]

I live near Houston, so I don't worry so much about early, late, or whatnot! I think maybe I should next year, as it was 104' degrees today and I would have gotten more tomatoes before the heat set in with earlier varieties!

So... just early?

Jaune Flamme and Taxi are listed as early, and I've heard good things about both. Iditarod Red, Roza Vetrov, Sleeping Lady, and Kootenai are dwarf. Millefleur and Fireworks are multiflora. Silvery Fir Tree is a pretty plant. Sugar Drop is a super sweet cherry I'm quite excited to try!

I either have plants or seeds started or on the way for about half of these.

http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/C...Early_Tomatoes

There. Ten! Plus Homestead, which was quite early for me and quite nice.


Tl

[Father'sDaughter]

Anyone ever grow Scotia? We were recently up in Nova Scotia and stumbled upon a farmers market where a woman was selling tomato plants, so naturally I had to go check them out! Most of them were Scotia plants. She didn't know much about the history of them, but said they are the one tomato she grows every season. According to what I've found on-line, it was bred for cooler/shorter seasons.

[dice]

Originally Posted by wally mcgee

Wow, a lot of choices.

You have no idea how many choices there are.

I will add Bloody Butcher, Fireworks II, Kalinka, Odessa,
and Vzryv to the list. Magyar Piros Boker is around 5-7 days
later than most of these, about the same DTM as Earliana,
but particularly good flavor and decent production.

I will second Clear Pink Early as a reliable early determinate.
You should have the summer heat to bring out the flavor in
your climate.

[remy]

If you are looking for a beefsteak that produces on the early side, I would recommend Prudens Purple. It isn't as early as the earlies, but for a full sized beefsteak it it.

[Tania]

All right, now with Remy in the lead, we can start adding more early beefsteaks

I will add Tsar-Kolokor and both Anna Russian are pretty early in my garden. Obviously they will not be as early as Kimberley or Stupice, but they are early for a full size tomato.

[travis]

Again, I'll suggest Indian Stripe, which for me (6b) consistently comes in at 67 to 72 days ... year after year. And I've never had an earlier tomato that tastes better than Indian Stripe.

[Tania]

Oh yes, Indian Stripe - awesome suggestion Travis, how could I forget about it???