Growers’ Notes and Photos (USDA Zone 4a Experience)
Got acquainted with this variety this past season and I definitely think it deserves a spot in our forum database.
I figure there are probably folks out there who’ve already grown this one and can share their impressions too.
It’s a pretty unusual variety. I honestly can’t even think of another typical oxheart I’ve grown off the top of my head that has potato leaf foliage. I’m sure they’re out there, just not a lot of them. Because of that, the plant doesn’t look like a wimpy, wispy thing the way oxhearts usually do. It’s a sturdy, tall vine. Produces pink hearts around 7 to 10.5 oz (200-300 g). They are plump, uniform, and have a very decent flavor – definitely on the sweeter side.
While it didn’t break any yield records for me, I was really happy with how early it was (it was one of the very first indeterminates to set fruit). That’s a huge plus for tomato growers in short-season areas, or for anyone who has to deal with the crud and diseases showing up early in the summer. Definitely deserves some attention.
Full Summary: Heshpole
- 🌿 Plant: Indeterminate, tall vine. Notably, it features robust potato leaf foliage, avoiding the spindly, “weeping” look that characterizes most oxheart varieties.
- 📈 Yield: Average. While it doesn’t boast record-breaking harvests, it makes up for it by setting fruit exceptionally early for a large indeterminate.
- 👅 Taste: Very good, leaning heavily toward the sweet end of the spectrum.
- 📦 Storage: Not explicitly mentioned, but its ability to produce early harvests makes it a great choice for beating late-summer blights.
- 🌎 Who Reviewed It: 1 grower in Vologda (USDA Zone 4a).
