Low-growing tomatoes include those whose height does not exceed 60-80 cm. Such tomatoes are usually grown in open ground; they do not require a garter to a trellis. Of particular interest to summer residents are productive varieties that do not require careful care. It’s worth taking a closer look at tomatoes that combine these advantages by looking at the characteristics of the 5 most popular varieties.
"Mongolian dwarf"
Already from the name it is clear that this tomato variety is characterized by short stature. The height of the bush rarely exceeds 30 cm. For the “Mongolian dwarf” they make an exception by leaving stepsons, because the plant bears fruit on these shoots, giving a bountiful harvest. The fruits ripen in 90-100 days, which gives the right to consider the variety mid-ripening.
The average weight of tomatoes is 150 g, they ripen in clusters of 6 pieces. From 1 sq. m of beds, you can harvest a crop with a total weight of 10 kg. The branches bend strongly under the weight of the fruit, so it is advisable to mulch the soil with film, mown grass or straw so that the tomatoes do not touch the ground and spoil.
The variety is suitable for beginners, as it requires almost no care. “Mongolian dwarf” is resistant to cold and drought, but is sensitive to waterlogging. The bush spreads wide, this must be taken into account when planting. An interval of 0.7-1 m is left between plants.If you sow seeds for seedlings in March, the bushes will bear fruit from July to September.
"Aztec" (F1)
A productive tomato that can bear fruit in open ground until frost. The maximum height of the plant is 40 cm. The variety is distinguished by the sunny yellow color of ripe fruits. By the way, you can grow Aztec on the windowsill of an apartment. In this case, the bush will bear fruit even in winter.
The hybrid is considered early ripening; 80-85 days pass before the first fruits are harvested. Small tomatoes weighing 20-30 g each are collected in brushes of 5-8 pieces. Due to their attractive appearance and small size, vegetables are ideal for whole-fruit canning.
The taste of the pulp is soft, with notes of honey. Tomatoes are tasty not only canned, but also fresh. The hybrid does not require gartering or removal of stepsons during cultivation and is easy to care for. Productivity – 3-5 kg/sq. m. Fruiting is prolonged if ripe fruits are picked from the bush in time and old leaves are removed. For good yield, Aztec requires regular fertilizing.
"Shuttle"
Bushes of this variety grow up to 50 cm tall. Tomatoes can be grown in any climate zone without the use of shelters. You must wait 82-95 days before the harvest ripens. The bush does not need a garter, as it has strong, powerful stems. Productivity in open ground – 8 kg/sq.m. m.
The elongated fruits have an oval shape and an elongated nose. At the stage of full ripening, the color of tomatoes is scarlet. The average weight of the fruits is 55 g, they are of uniform size. Tomatoes can be larger, but for this you need to normalize the number of ovaries. 6 tomatoes ripen in one bunch.
"Shuttle" refers to varieties of universal use. Collected vegetables are consumed fresh, salted, pickled, and canned. The variety is considered cold-resistant, so it can be grown in an open garden. The bushes are planted at intervals of 35-40 cm. “Shuttle” has average resistance to disease, but adapts well to cold and temperature fluctuations.
"Summer Resident" (F1)
Tomato for open ground and greenhouses. The height of the bush is 40-55 cm. An average of 100 days pass before the first fruits are collected. Tomatoes ripen in clusters of 4-6 pieces. The average fruit weight is 80 g. The harvested crop can be used fresh, processed or canned.
The hybrid is formed into 3 stems; pinching is not required. Due to abundant fruiting, the bush may break, so it is better to tie it to a support in advance. The tomato does not react to excess moisture and is highly resistant to fusarium and rot. Resistance to other diseases is at an average level.
At the stage of full maturity, the color of the fruit is red. Weight of tomatoes – 75-80 g. In closed ground, tomatoes grow larger. One plant produces 4 kg of fruit. The pulp contains a large amount of juice. The skin is thin, but dense, so the crop can withstand transportation without loss.
"Mystery"
A productive tomato with early ripening for open ground. The first fruits are collected 85 days after emergence. Up to 6 ovaries are formed in each brush. The average weight of ripened tomatoes is 90 g. The purpose of the variety is universal. The maximum height of the bush is 50 cm.
Summer residents value the variety for its resistance to typical crop diseases, high yield, and excellent taste. The fruits are the same size, round in shape, covered with scarlet skin. Tomatoes do not crack even in rainy summers, when there is excess moisture. “Riddle” is also tolerant of a lack of sunny color.
From one bush, subject to agricultural technology, you can get up to 5-7 kg of sweet and sour tomatoes. The variety can also be grown in a greenhouse and greenhouse. In this case, the fruits will be larger. The harvest can be stored for a long time and tolerates transportation well. The variety has no obvious disadvantages; even a beginner can cope with it.
Early-ripening tomato varieties are more suitable for growing in an open garden. In this case, it will be possible to harvest before the rains and cold weather, when late blight begins to act actively. In order for the variety to reach its full potential, it is better to plant the seedlings in a sunny area. Basic care is timely watering at the roots and fertilizing every 2 weeks.
Almost nothing is said about the taste of these tomatoes. For me, the main criterion is that they are very sweet, and the size does not matter. I didn't see it here.
I’ll add “coin” tomatoes - small cherry tomatoes of a bright yellow color, sweet, early ripening, low-growing, for open ground. They manage to produce the main harvest before the wave of late blight (in the Moscow region).