Product Details
Tartar from Mongolistan (Red Slicing Tomato)
Heritage: France
It is hard to determine whether this is indeed a heritage variety from somewhere in the far East, or a previously unnamed introduction from a creative gardener. Regardless, a seed collector from France introduced them to North American in the 1990’s.
Average sized plants produce delicious flattened fruits growing to 3” (7.5cm) in diameter. Skin is bright red, with smooth, juicy flavourful flesh. These are the most excellent sandwich slicers! So juicy with enough pulp to support the goodness. Their finish is slight sweetness on the tongue. We cut them in half, add a sprinkle of salt & pepper and eat them with our hands! And yes, if they happen to fall off the plant their skin can crack. Which to me, is the sign of a true heirloom, perfect skin, not tough, it dissolves in your mouth. Indeterminate. Matures in 60-70 days. (310 seeds/g)
Indeterminate plants are tall and sprawling continuing to grow and produce fruit until they are eventually killed by frost. This could be your preference if you are looking for a few tomatoes ripening at a time throughout the entire growing season. However, “a few” will vary with the variety you choose. It could mean three-four at a time for the larger varieties, or fifty-sixty at a time for the smaller crudités.
Tips for Growing Tasty Tomatoes!
Tomatoes are heat loving plants that can adapt themselves to almost any growing zone providing there is ample sunshine and the season is long enough to allow the fruits to fully mature. Start seeds indoors in small pots 6 weeks before last frost date by planting them just below the surface of the soil. As the weather warms, harden-off the plants by setting them outside in the sun for a few hours each day. When the ground has fully warmed and the season has stabilized transplant to a sunny area of the garden. Remove all yellow leaves and any buds or flowers that have formed. This allows the plant to concentrate on developing a good deep root system in its new home. Plant deep burying the stem up to the first set of leaves. Plants should be at least 12-18” (30-45cm) apart to allow for ample circulation and room to grow. Most tomatoes do best when support is provided either by using poles, cages or trellising. The most suitable companion plants for tomatoes are; asparagus, chives, onions, parsley, marigolds and carrots. Do not plant near potatoes, corn, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Tomatoes usually germinate within 5-7days (75-95ºF/24-35ºC).
