Characteristics and description of the tomato "Agatha"

No vegetable gardener can do without tomatoes in their garden. Firstly, they are one of the most popular and well-established vegetable crops in our climate zone. Secondly, tomatoes have excellent taste, are rich in beneficial vitamins and minerals, and are versatile in use.

These are the qualities of the Agata tomato variety, which has stood the test of time, as it was developed 30 years ago.

Characteristics of the variety

It is an early-ripening variety, with the ripening period occurring 95-110 days after the first seed germination.

The variety is grown using both seedlings and seeds. The former is considered more productive, as it yields a larger harvest.

To obtain seedlings, seeds are sown in mid-March and transplanted into open ground at the end of June. The distance between seedlings should be more than 40 cm.

Fruit characteristics:

• the weight of one tomato varies from 60 to 100 g;
• tomatoes are perfectly even, almost the same size;
• have the shape of a flattened circle;
• the skin is strong and glossy;
• tomatoes do not crack, which makes them suitable for long-term transportation;
• Ripe fruits have a deep red color.

Early tomatoes are most often eaten fresh, but they are also ideal for canning due to their size and shape.

A distinctive feature of the tomato bush of the Agata variety is that:

• the bush is compact and low-growing, which does not require shaping or pinching;
• the height rarely reaches half a meter;
• five clusters are formed on the plant, on each of which 3-4 fruits ripen;
• The tomato is fleshy and not watery.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Agatha variety has the following positive qualities:

1. It is a non-hybrid variety, so you can easily collect seeds from ripe fruits and use them the following year.
2. The fruits ripen at the same time.
3. It has a very high yield for such a small bush – 4-5 kg.

The only major drawback of this variety is its susceptibility to late blight (a common disease of nightshade plants). To prevent this, 14 days after planting the seedlings in the soil, it is recommended to treat the plant bushes with Bordeaux mixture, which is completely safe for humans.

Agricultural technology rules

The key to strong seedlings is high-quality seeds. This variety doesn't require much effort to grow and care for, but it's still worth knowing a few things:

• the seeds should be immersed in water with salt for 10-15 minutes, all empty ones will float to the surface, they are unsuitable for germination;
• Be sure to treat the seeds in a solution containing potassium permanganate to disinfect them;
• plant seeds to a depth of no more than 2 cm and cover with plastic wrap;
• the seedlings will appear on the 7th day, then they need to be provided with light and warmth;
• A necessary condition for the successful growth of seedlings in open ground is hardening off the seedlings: periodically take them outside for a week and leave them in a windless place;
• favorable predecessors for tomatoes are last year’s beds with legumes, greens and carrots;
• It is advisable to water the beds with warm water;
• During the entire growing season, it is enough to apply complex fertilizer 3 times.

Reviews

Online users who grow the Agata variety note it as a time-tested variety, resistant to weather conditions, and relatively easy to grow and care for, provided certain agricultural practices are followed.

Moreover, it's noted that even a novice vegetable gardener with no planting experience can grow this variety, as Agata is noted for its ease of care. Consumers report that the plant will bear fruit until the late autumn frosts.

Most gardeners recommend staking the bush. This is because it can't handle the large amount of fruit and tends to droop toward the ground, causing the tomatoes to rot. The fruits have a tart, not very sweet, but rich flavor.

Thus, the variety is recommended for planting in summer cottages.