the best early heirloom - Page 2

moucheur · June 8, 2007

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 · June 8, 2007

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 · June 9, 2007

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 · June 10, 2007

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 · June 10, 2007

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

eyolf · June 10, 2007

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 · June 10, 2007

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 · June 11, 2007

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 · June 13, 2007

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 · July 3, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumierefrere

Schelkovsky. Under 50 days incredibly prolific.

Shchyolkovskiy Ranniy - about 40 days

moucheur · July 3, 2007

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 · July 3, 2007

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

~ Tom

Worth1 · July 3, 2007

Not for long!

Attachment 1276

Sherry_AK · July 3, 2007

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 · July 3, 2007

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

June 8, 2007	#17
frankkj Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 90	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. __________________ Old and Wise? Or maybe just getting old? Last edited by frankkj; June 8, 2007 at 08:00 PM. Reason: dumb

June 9, 2007	#18
eyolf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central MN, USDA Zone 3 Posts: 303	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. __________________ a day without fresh homegrown tomatoes is like... ...sigh

June 10, 2007	#20
jwr6404 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: University Place, WA Posts: 481	Earliest and very productive tomato I've grow was the Grushkova. __________________ Jim

June 10, 2007	#21
eyolf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central MN, USDA Zone 3 Posts: 303	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. __________________ a day without fresh homegrown tomatoes is like... ...sigh

June 13, 2007	#24
richardsom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Z6a Posts: 11	Earlies.... 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

June 8, 2007	#16
moucheur Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boston, Mass. Posts: 50	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?

June 10, 2007	#19
Sherry_AK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alaska Zone 3/4 Posts: 1,857	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

June 10, 2007	#22
obispo45 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SE Minnesota Zone 4.51a Posts: 139	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!!

June 11, 2007	#23
rxkeith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Back in da U.P. Posts: 1,848	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

July 3, 2007	#26
moucheur Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boston, Mass. Posts: 50	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?

July 3, 2007	#27
Tomstrees Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Bayshore Posts: 3,848	My most producitve is Bloody Butcher. Greenies everywhere ... waiting for taste... ~ Tom __________________ My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale

July 3, 2007	#28
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Not for long! Attachment 1276 Last edited by Worth1; November 17, 2012 at 06:45 PM.

July 3, 2007	#30
bluelytes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 250	WORTH1, Ok, but WHERE do I send my 10.00 TO?? Ya left no addy!!