Characteristics and description of the tomato "Firewood"

Today, tomatoes are grown not only by the fortunate owners of their own gardens, but also by those who simply enjoy this vegetable, even if they only have a windowsill and a little space on their balcony. The variety we'll be discussing today will appeal to both categories.

Main characteristics of the variety

The "Drova" tomato was bred relatively recently, but fans of exotic varieties immediately appreciated its advantages. The name was given for its distinctive shape. The tomatoes are elongated oval, forked at the very end.

On the bushes, the clusters really do resemble a bundle of firewood, only miniature.

"Drova" is a low-growing variety. The bush reaches a height of only 30-40 cm. It is suitable for growing outdoors, in a greenhouse, and even indoors.

No matter where you choose to plant them, these tomatoes will be a true highlight of your garden. The decorative bush, combined with the unique shape of the fruit, is truly captivating.

A ripe tomato weighs approximately 80 grams and reaches 15 cm in length (about a third less when grown at home). The flesh is juicy, slightly crumbly, but not watery, and has few seeds. The flavor is sweet without being sour or cloying. Both adults and children enjoy it.

It ripens in 90-100 days. You can tell when it's ripe by the stem. When there's no green spot left, the fruit is ready to eat.

The variety has a fairly high yield. One bush can yield 1.5-2 kg.

It's used fresh, canned whole, and in salads. It holds its shape well and has a long shelf life. Ketchups and sauces made from this variety are delicious and rich.

Features of cultivation

Sow "Drova" tomato seedlings in late February or early March. This variety has a high germination rate, but it's still a good idea to check the seeds. It's very easy to do. Simply pour them into a glass of water and stir well. After a few minutes, the seeds will disperse. Some will sink to the bottom, while others will float. The latter category of seeds are empty seeds; discard them.

After sorting, it's a good idea to disinfect the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Care should be taken not only with the preparation of the planting material but also with the soil. The best option is to heat it in a water bath. This is essential, as the soil, even if it was purchased from a store and not prepared at home, may contain pest larvae and eggs that will awaken from hibernation and be very happy to feast on the young seedlings.

After the first two or three true leaves appear, the seedlings are transplanted into individual containers. They are planted outdoors when the air temperature reaches a stable 15-20 degrees Celsius. The seedlings need to be hardened off first. To do this, simply move the containers outside, gradually increasing the time they remain there.

When transplanting seedlings to their permanent location, ensure they have sufficient support in advance. The bush is low, but it often breaks under the weight of the fruit.

Care and harvesting

The variety is quite fertile, and a harvest will be obtained in any case, but by following some simple recommendations it will be possible to significantly increase it.

Tomatoes prefer fertile, loose soil. If you're growing them in pots, ensure adequate drainage to ensure the roots receive sufficient air and moisture.

In open ground, care must be taken to protect the plantings from pests. To do this, you can sprinkle eggshells or a handful of onion skins into the hole.

If your soil is poor, you can add peat moss or compost to the bottom of each hole. Just be sure to sprinkle a layer of soil on top before planting to prevent the young shoots from burning.

Later during the growing season, it is sufficient to apply two or three applications of mineral and organic fertilizers.

The "Drova" variety is resistant to diseases and pests, but regular inspection is still a good idea. If there's a risk of infection from other plants, treat it with a soap solution, spray with an onion peel decoction, and scatter freshly picked wormwood and celandine throughout the beds.

Tomatoes are harvested in July or August, depending on when they were planted. It's worth noting that they ripen all at once, not gradually. Sometimes, to reduce the weight on the bushes, some of the half-ripe tomatoes are picked and left to ripen indoors.

Reviews

Despite its relative youth, the "Firewood" tomato has earned a lot of positive reviews from gardeners.

Galina Petrovna, 49 years old

I planted these tomatoes for the first time last year. Honestly, I didn't expect such a large number of fruits on such small bushes. I didn't think about staking them, and they simply broke. They ripened in a gazebo, but I didn't really like the taste. I used them in salads. They held their shape beautifully. I studied the characteristics of the variety and realized I made a lot of mistakes. This time, I'll plant the bushes more widely and be sure to tie them to supports. I hope everything works out.

Evgeniya, 28 years old

My husband and I recently moved into our own house, and now my hobby is experimenting in the garden. I'm constantly buying new varieties. I planted "Drova" tomatoes in the garden. Yes, the yield was excellent, and I liked the taste, but that's not the main thing. I planted them in flower pots in December, and by the end of March we were already eating fresh tomatoes. And this was without supplemental lighting or fertilizer. I only used sugar water, like I do for houseplants, sometimes. I'm very happy.

Try growing the "Firewood" tomato. It's not difficult at all, and you're sure to be pleased with the results.