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Low growing tomatoes for open ground are in great demand today, since they are less hassle than tall ones. The tomato bush is initially a rather tall plant. Some specimens reach 3 meters in height. With such bushes, the gardener has quite a difficult time; gartering and removal of a large number of stepsons are required. The work becomes more difficult due to the height of the plant. Let's talk about this topic in more detail and present to our readers the best low growing tomatoes for open ground.
Tall or short?
All tomatoes can be strictly divided according to such an indicator as growth type into two groups:
- determinant;
- indeterminate.
These are terms from botany; they divide plants into tall and short (see photo below).
The fact is that a tomato tends to stop growing when several flower clusters are thrown out. This type of growth is called determinate and includes a large group of low-growing varieties. Such plants have a number of features:
- they form a small number of stepsons (that is, additional branches);
- they reach a height of approximately 1-1.5 meters (but can be truly dwarf);
- the plant spends maximum energy on the formation and ripening of fruits.
What justifies this love of gardeners for low-growing tomatoes in our country? The answer to this question is simple, and we have already touched upon it indirectly. There are perhaps two serious reasons:
- early ripening (summer in many regions is short, and not all indeterminate varieties have time to ripen);
- less demanding in terms of gartering and removal of stepsons.
If we talk about indeterminate varieties, they are good for growing in greenhouse conditions. They have a long fruiting period; from each bush you can harvest about a bucket of tomatoes per season. There are also quite interesting varieties, for example, the variety “White Giant”, “De Barao Black” two meters high, the mid-season “Chernomor”, the large-fruited “Black Elephant”.
A good video about the differences between tomatoes by growth type is presented below:
Low-growing varieties for open ground
Before purchasing tomato seeds, be sure to think about the purpose for which they are grown:
- to eat as a family;
- for sale;
- for long-term storage and so on.
The choice of the gardener largely depends on this, as well as on the conditions on the plot.
We present to your attention the best low-growing varieties of tomatoes for open ground. A huge selection is not only a big plus. Some gardeners get confused about varieties and ultimately don’t know how to make the right choice.
Sanka
One of the best low-growing tomatoes on the market today.A bush with limited growth up to 60 centimeters in height tends to bear fruit abundantly. The yield is very high despite the fact that the fruits are medium in size. From one square meter you can harvest up to 15 kilograms of tomatoes. The fruits, weighing 80-150 grams, are red, fleshy and have excellent taste. Universal use. A nice addition for those gardeners who live in middle lane Russia: the ripening speed is incredible (78-85 days). Fruiting is not hampered by cold weather; the Sanka variety can produce crops right up to frost. That is why its seeds sell so well in Siberia and the Urals.
Video about the tomato variety “Sanka”:
Yablonka Russia
Perhaps this is the best variety for those who prefer canning and preparing food for the winter. The fruits of the “Yablonka Rossii” variety are small and ripen in 85-100 days. The fruits are well stored and transported well. The variety is characterized by high productivity. The minimum number of tomatoes collected per square meter is 7 kilograms. The taste is excellent, so they can be grown for sale and for fresh consumption. The skin is dense and the tomatoes do not crack.
Liana
Another good variety, known throughout the country. It was bred for cultivation exclusively in open ground. The ripening period will please summer residents (84-93 days in total). At the same time, the bush is undersized. Its height on average reaches 35-40 centimeters. Tying is necessary only because a large number of fruits become heavier when ripe and can break the branches. The weight of one tomato is small and amounts to 60-80 grams. This allows the fruits to be used for canning. The variety is resistant to TMV. Fruiting is long lasting.
Hybrid "Solerosso"
The hybrid of Italian breeders is intended exclusively for cultivation in open ground. The fruits are small and very tasty. Their use is universal. Some gardeners refuse to grow small tomatoes because they believe that the overall yield will be low. As for the Solerosso hybrid, this rule does not apply to it: the yield per square is 7-10 kilograms. The ripening period is 80-85 days, the hybrid is resistant to verticillium, as well as bacterial spot. The fruits are aligned, the yield is uniform. In general, hybrids are famous for their high growth vigor.
It has nothing to do with GMOs, as many believe; such tomatoes are crossed manually, they are resistant. The harvest can only be obtained once.
Hybrid "Prima Donna"
Despite the fact that the bush of this wonderful hybrid cannot be called truly undersized, it has a determinant type of growth and is not subject to pinching. Its height in open ground reaches 1.2-1.3 meters. This hybrid is very loved by many who practice growing tomatoes. It is early ripening (ripens in 90-95 days), has excellent taste, and is resistant to Fusarium, TMV and Alternaria. The fruits are fleshy, medium in size (the weight of one tomato is approximately 130 grams). 5-7 fruits are formed on one brush, as can be seen in the photo. The foliage of the hybrid is soft and drooping, which allows sunlight to evenly illuminate the plant. “Primadonna” is a high-yielding hybrid that produces 16-18 kilograms of excellent tomatoes per square meter.
Gift of the Volga region
This variety is represented by real scarlet beauties with thin skin. If you don’t know which tomatoes to grow in the moderately warm climate of Russia, give preference to the “Dar Zavolzhya” variety. The fruits of the variety are even, the yield is friendly and stable. The ripening period is not suitable for cultivation in Siberia and the Southern Urals, since it is 103-109 days. The yield per square meter is average and does not exceed 5 kilograms. We pay attention to excellent taste qualities. The plant is low, approximately 50-70 centimeters in height.
Pink honey
Pink tomatoes have always been famous for their aroma and excellent taste. “Pink honey” is a mid-season variety that is famous for such qualities as:
- large fruit;
- richness of taste;
- crack resistance.
The fruits are pale pink, fleshy. The shape is heart-shaped, each of them can reach a weight of 600-700 grams. Due to this, productivity is achieved. Please note that the bush is determinate, its height reaches 60-70 centimeters, but it will have to be tied up. Due to the large weight of the fruit, branches may break off. This variety appeared on the market recently, but quickly gained popularity. It can be grown both in drought conditions and during temperature changes. It is quite cold-resistant.
Oak
The early ripening variety "Dubok" is interesting for its small fruits and high yield. We have already said that low-growing bushes with small fruits often lose productivity. The height of the bush in our case reaches 60 centimeters and casts a large number of tassels with flowers. The fruits are red, round and very tasty. With proper care, you can easily harvest 7 kilograms of tomatoes from one square meter.This is because the “Dubka” bush is covered with tomatoes in the fruiting stage. The ripening period is 85-105 days; even low temperatures do not interfere with fruiting. Due to its precocity, the plant easily escapes late blight.
Hybrid "Polbig"
The early-ripening hybrid is represented by medium-sized fruits of a standard type. Gardeners love it for its resistance to verticillium and fusarium. The yield of the hybrid is standard, about 6 kilograms per square meter. The ripening period is 90-100 days, the fruits are smooth, do not crack and are well stored. The taste is excellent, due to this, the use of tomatoes is universal. The bush is short, reaches 60-80 centimeters.
Titanium
Varieties of low-growing tomatoes are rarely late in ripening speed. Most often they ripen early, within 100 days. The “Titan” variety, on the contrary, is medium late and ripens in 118-135 days from the moment the first shoots appear after sowing the seeds. The bush is low-growing, reaching a height of 55-75 centimeters, medium-sized fruits of excellent quality. They are stored for a long time, are excellently processed, and are consumed fresh. The variety is high-yielding, approximately 4-4.5 kilograms are harvested from one plant.
Mystery
The early-ripening variety “Riddle” has sweet and unusually aromatic fruits on a determinate bush only 40-50 centimeters high. The yield is average, but it is worth it if you grow tomatoes for your own consumption. The whole family will love these tomatoes; they are very tasty and rich in vitamins and minerals. The ripening period is only 82-88 days, “Riddle” is not afraid of late blight and root rot.
Lady fingers
When describing the best varieties of low-growing tomatoes, one cannot help but recall this high-quality variety. "Lady fingers"has every right to be included in this list. It is valued for:
- high yield (up to 10 kilograms per bush);
- excellent taste;
- the ability not to tie up the bush and not remove stepsons.
If we talk about the plant itself, it is compact and not branched. Even if you pay little attention to it, the yield will be high. The fruits have an original appearance and are famous for their taste. The ripening period does not exceed 110 days.
Torch
The most common vegetables on our tables are traditionally cucumbers and tomatoes. The best low-growing varieties for open ground always describe tomatoes with small fruits. The "Fakel" variety is unique. A bush of 40-60 centimeters brings a harvest of up to two kilograms. This is provided that one fruit weighs only 60-90 grams. But the taste is excellent, which ensures its universal use and universal popularity. Wherever today in the country it is possible to grow tomatoes in open ground, the “Fakel” variety produces consistently high yields. The ripening period must be taken into account; it is 111-130 days. High quality seeds, if weather conditions permit, can be sown directly into the ground.
Perseus
This variety of tomatoes for open ground is represented by medium-sized fruits weighing 150 grams. The bush of the plant is compact; it stops growing on its own and reaches a height of approximately 60 centimeters. The variety is very resistant to a large number of diseases: fusarium, TMV, alternaria, anthracnose. The ripening period is no more than 115 days. The fruits are distinguished by their high density and thick wall. Due to these qualities, they are perfectly stored for a long period.
Conclusion
Low-growing tomatoes are a real godsend for those who do not like to spend a long time in the garden beds. It is necessary to take into account that when growing tomatoes, it is necessary to weed them, loosen the soil and apply a complex of mineral fertilizers, to which tomatoes are extremely positive. Among the variety of low-growing varieties and hybrids popular in Russia, you can choose one of those that you will like and will take root on your site for many years.
