Description of the Babushka Frida tomato, reviews from those who planted it

Every year, American breeders introduce new tomato varieties. One of the most recent was the "Grandma Frida" tomato. The popularity of the crop quickly spread throughout the world, and in Russia the variety was no exception.

Characteristics and description of tomato

The "Babushka Frida" variety will delight you with its sweet, moderately large tomatoes. It is recommended to grow this tomato under plastic covers; only in southern Russia can it be planted in open ground. This mid-season variety ripens in 120-130 days from germination. Seedlings are transplanted 60-65 days after planting. No special care is required. This variety has good resistance to diseases and pests.

The fruits are flattened and rounded, with ribbed edges. The average tomato weighs 200-400 grams. The flesh is meaty and juicy, with a small number of seeds. The tomatoes have a distinct aroma and a sweet and sour taste. The yield per bush is 4-5 kilograms. At biological maturity, tomatoes turn a deep red color; a yellow spot may remain near the stem. The skin is thick and may crack due to excess moisture. Watering is reduced 10-15 days before ripening.

The bushes grow tall, 1.6-1.8 meters. The plant needs to be tied and side-shoots removed. The bush is formed into two stems. The tomato responds well to fertilizing. The fruits are used for processing into tomato paste, juice, and fresh salads.

Tomato "Grandma Frida" - advantages and disadvantages

During the development of this variety, breeders attempted to account for all factors that negatively impact tomato development. Let's consider which positive aspects were successfully incorporated, and which disadvantages, unfortunately, remain.

Advantages:

• wonderful delicate taste of fruits;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• unpretentious in care;
• the fruits are large and fleshy;
• stored for a long time;
• The yield indicators are high.

The only drawback of this variety is its increased sensitivity to temperature fluctuations. Growing it outdoors in central and northern Russia is impossible, as the plants will die.

Growing and caring for tomatoes in a greenhouse

Growing tomatoes takes all spring and half of summer. It all begins with planting seeds in prepared soil. Let's look at some basic tips for growing tomatoes.

1. Prepare the soil for planting seeds. Dig and loosen the soil, add organic fertilizer (rotted manure, peat), and disinfect. To combat pathogenic bacteria, use proven biological products such as Fitosporin and Baktofit. Apply the treatment 7-14 days before planting.
2. Before sowing, seeds should be soaked in a growth stimulant such as Epin, Zircon (or any other), or in a garlic solution (25 grams of grated garlic dissolved in 100 ml of water). You can also disinfect the seeds in potassium permanganate, but potassium permanganate is not available without a prescription.
3. The seeds are planted at a depth of 2 centimeters. The greenhouse temperature should be 25-27 degrees Celsius, with 60% humidity. The first sprouts will appear within a week. The tomato plants sprout evenly.
4. When the first leaves appear on the seedlings, they should be transplanted into individual pots. These are replanted with some soil from the greenhouse. Water the plants only with warm water. Avoid overwatering young tomatoes to prevent root rot.
5. Before transplanting seedlings into the greenhouse, it's necessary to till the soil and add peat and mineral fertilizer. The soil should be loose to allow more atmospheric oxygen to reach the root system.
6. Place 4 seedlings per square meter. After transplanting, water them thoroughly with warm water.
7. The soil beneath the plants is mulched with straw, hay, or rotted sawdust. Mulch will retain moisture and prevent the tomato roots from overheating.
8. The bushes are watered once every 5 days, the water consumption is 5-6 liters per plant.
9. When the tomato plant reaches a height of 25-30 centimeters, tie it to the support for the first time. Tie the stem with rope or twine. Avoid tying the plant too tightly, as this can cause tissue death by preventing sap flow through the cells. As the plant grows, remove or trim off any side shoots.
10. The first tomatoes should appear in early summer. To speed up the fruit's growth, add fertilizer to the soil. The fertilizer should contain magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, and iron.
11. The first tomatoes begin to ripen by the end of July, with the peak harvest occurring in August. Tomatoes continue to bear fruit until mid-September.
12. To preserve tomatoes longer, they are picked slightly unripe and stored in a dry, cool place.

Reviews from gardeners

Ksenia Antonovna, Smolensk region.

I grew the "Grandma Frida" tomato in a greenhouse, as recommended by the growers. Our climate isn't particularly warm, so I plant almost all my tomatoes in the greenhouse. The plant turned out to be easy to care for. The fruits grew quite large and tasty. I used the entire harvest to make tomato juice and paste. The plant remained disease-free and pest-free throughout the entire growing season.

Igor Alexandrovich, Tver region.

Every year I plant about 10 new tomato varieties. I grow them under plastic covers: they ripen faster and reduce the risk of crop loss due to variable weather conditions. Last year, I ordered the "Babushka Frida" tomato. The fruits ripen large, have a sweet and sour taste, and the flesh is juicy. It's a tall variety, so I needed to provide supports and tie up the stems. The tomatoes didn't require much care. I recommend the "Babushka Frida" variety to anyone who loves high-yielding tomatoes.