Honest reviews of global tomato varieties from a 15-year-old growers community.
Quick Summary of Gigant Lary (Giant of Lara) 🌍 Origin: A large-fruited heirloom variety originating from Hungary (Венгрия). 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), powerful and vigorous bush reaching over 1.8 meters (6+ feet) in height. Regular leaf foliage. 🍅 Fruit Characteristics: Large, heavy pink beefsteaks with slight ribbing/gathering at the shoulders. The skin is not … Read more
Quick Summary: DIY Weed Tea Fertilizer 🌍 Why this matters: If you struggle with sandy soil that doesn’t hold nutrients, or if buying manure is too expensive and labor-intensive, “weed tea” is the ultimate free alternative. 🌿 The Base: You can use any garden weeds (dandelions, burdock, nettle, chamomile) harvested before they go to seed. … Read more
Quick Summary: Short-Season Melon Growing Masterclass 🌍 Why this matters: If you live in a cold climate (like USDA Zones 3-4) with short summers and June frosts, growing melons can feel impossible. In this article, a seasoned grower from Rybinsk (North-West Russia) shares his proven techniques for harvesting sweet watermelons and melons outdoors. 🌱 Key … Read more
Quick Summary of Cherniy iz Tuly (Black from Tula) 🌍 Origin: An old folk selection variety from Tula. Interestingly, it gained massive popularity in the USA (often brought by Ukrainian immigrants) before returning to Eastern Europe as a sought-after commercial heirloom. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate (tall), regular leaf. Very vigorous and unpretentious. If not topped, … Read more
Quick Summary of Chudo Zemli (Wonder of the Earth) 🌍 Origin: A very famous Russian heirloom/commercial variety. The name translates to “Wonder of the Earth”. Important Note: There are two distinct strains circulating under this name. The original Siberian strain (“SibSad” company) produces large, flat-round (oblate) pink beefsteaks. Meanwhile, a popular Ukrainian line produces beautiful … Read more
Quick Summary of Cherry Ira F1 🌍 Origin: A very popular commercial F1 hybrid from the Russian seed company “Semko”. Often sold at a premium price compared to standard seeds. 🌿 Plant Habit: An extremely vigorous, wildly growing indeterminate. It can easily surpass 3 meters (10 ft) in height. It produces a massive amount of … Read more
Quick Summary of Chernoe Yabloko (Black Apple) 🌍 Origin: A highly productive Russian commercial/collector’s variety. The name translates to “Black Apple”. It is widely distributed by prominent Russian seed collectors like V. Popenko. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate and very tall. In a greenhouse, it easily reaches 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) and requires sturdy trellising. It … Read more
Quick Summary of Black and Brown Boar 🌍 Origin: A famous American variety developed by Brad Gates (Wild Boar Farms). In Russia, it circulates under the translated name Cherno-Korichnevyi Kaban. It is fascinating to see how this California native performs in the harsh climates of Russia and Siberia! 🌿 Plant Habit: Tall indeterminate, reaching up … Read more
Quick Summary of Chernaya Lakomka (Black Gourmand) 🌍 Origin: A Russian commercial variety from the “Poisk” seed company. The name translates roughly to “Black Gourmand” or “Black Sweet Tooth”, highlighting its dessert-like flavor profile. 🌿 Plant Habit: Tall indeterminate, typically reaching 1.5–2 meters (5–6.5 ft) in a greenhouse. It sets fruit in clusters and has … Read more
Quick Summary of Chudo Sada (Garden Wonder) 🌍 Origin: A Russian heirloom variety prized by collectors. The name translates directly to “Garden Wonder” (or “Miracle of the Garden”). Some growers note a striking resemblance to the famous Minusinsk red flat-round heirlooms. 🌿 Plant Habit: Vigorous, tall indeterminate. It can be a bit slow to get … Read more
Quick Summary of Cherevichki (Little Shoes) 🌍 Origin: A Ukrainian heirloom popularized by breeder V. Syray. The name Cherevichki translates to “Little Shoes” or “Slippers,” perfectly describing the unique shape of the fruit. 🌿 Plant Habit: Indeterminate and very tall. Like many elongated paste varieties, it has “wispy” or weak-looking foliage (drooping leaves), which is … Read more
Quick Summary of Chudo Altaya (Altai Miracle) 🌍 Origin: A commercial Russian variety from the Siberian seed company “Semena Altaya” (Altai Seeds). The name translates directly to “Altai Miracle”. 🌿 Plant Habit: Tall indeterminate. The bush is described as having sparse or wispy foliage (not heavily foliated), which is a common and normal trait for … Read more