Why is the “Gardener’s Dream” tomato so loved and popular: description of the variety and reviews from experienced summer residents

No gardener will refuse early-ripening tomatoes with excellent taste. After a long winter, I really want vitamins from my summer cottage!

That is why the Gardener’s Dream tomato is a real find for summer residents. After all, these vegetables ripen already in the last ten days of June. In addition, the fruits are rich in vitamins and lycopene and fill any dish with extraordinary taste. The variety is loved by many summer residents for its high yield and easy care.

Characteristics and description of the variety

The Gardener's Dream tomato belongs to the elite varieties. It was obtained as a result of the painstaking work of Russian breeders. Designed for breeding in film shelters and greenhouses.

Distinctive features

Bush determinant, up to 70 cm high. The foliage is medium, the leaves are dark green. Each brush forms 5 ovaries. Gartering of fruiting clusters is necessary, as they will not support the weight of ripe fruits.

The ripening period is early, from the moment of sowing the seeds to full ripening, 90-100 days pass.

Productivity is high, from 1 sq. m, up to 7 kg of fruits are collected, provided that no more than 4 seedlings are planted per 1 sq. m. m. To increase the quantitative indicator, the crop is formed into 1 or 2 stems.

Tomato is characterized by increased resistance to dangerous diseases such as Alternaria, Verticillium leaf wilt, blossom end and root rot, fusarium and late blight.

Fruit characteristics

The average weight of the fruit is 160-180 g, round shape, deep red color.The taste is excellent, sweet due to the high content of sugar and lycopene. The pulp is fleshy and juicy, there are a lot of seeds.

The photo shows the Gardener's Dream tomatoes.

The tomato belongs to the salad family, so it is ideal for preparing various fresh dishes. Ripe vegetables are also processed into tomato products, resulting in excellent juices.

Ripe tomatoes are stored for a long time and retain their presentation during long-term transportation.

How to grow seedlings

Sowing seeds for seedlings begins in mid-March. Before sowing, the seed material undergoes special treatment to improve germination and healthy growth.

Seed preparation

The first stage in preparation is seed rejection. They are laid out on the table and carefully inspected for visible damage. Then check for emptiness by immersing in a saline solution for 10 minutes.

Empty seeds float to the surface. To disinfect, seeds are placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes. After all procedures, they are thoroughly washed with running water and dried.

To improve germination, seed material is germinated on damp gauze for 2 days in a dark place at a temperature of 27 °C. As the gauze dries, lightly moisten it with warm water. When sprouts appear, the seeds can be sown in the ground.

Container and soil

Plant the sprouts in a common wooden box or in separate plastic and peat cups. Small drainage holes are made at the bottom of the planting containers and treated with a dark solution of manganese. Disinfection of containers is especially important if these containers were used for last year's plantings, since pathogenic spores may remain in them.

The soil is prepared by mixing garden soil with turf soil in equal quantities and adding a little humus. Mix everything thoroughly and pour over a hot solution of potassium permanganate. The resulting soil is laid out in planting containers, filling them halfway. As the seedlings grow, the remaining soil is added to the containers. This technique ensures that the necessary nutrients are obtained throughout the entire seedling period.

Sowing

The seeds are buried 1 cm at a distance of 2 cm from each other and sprinkled with peat on top. Lightly compact, water with a spray bottle with warm, settled water and cover the containers with glass or film. Before emergence, the containers are left in a bright and warm room at a temperature of 23 °C.

Seedling care

When shoots appear, the film is removed and the containers are placed on the windowsill, thereby providing good lighting. The duration of daylight hours is 12 hours. If additional lighting is necessary, install fluorescent lamps.

Water as the top layer of soil dries using a shallow watering can with warm, settled water. It is impossible to over-moisten the soil, as fungal diseases may develop. After watering, the soil is loosened to ensure breathability.

After the appearance of 2 true leaves, the seedlings are planted in separate containers. When picking, only weak and healthy seedlings are left for further growth.

Reference. Picking promotes increased growth of lateral roots.

If the seedlings are left in a common wooden box, the distance between the seedlings is increased to 15 cm.

After picking, the seedlings are fed with a full range of mineral fertilizers. The application of fertilizing is combined with watering.

2 weeks before planting in the ground, seedlings are hardened off in the open air. Initially, the time spent outside is 40 minutes, gradually increasing it to 11 hours. Simultaneously with daytime hardening, the night temperature is reduced to 13 °C.

How to grow tomatoes

After 2 months, the seedlings are ready for transplanting. They are planted in a greenhouse in early May, and under film covers 1-2 weeks later, when the soil warms up to 17 °C.

Landing

The soil is dug up with humus added and shallow holes are made, at the bottom of which 1 tablespoon of superphosphate or wood ash is placed. The holes are filled with warm water.

Planting pattern: 40 cm – distance between seedlings, 60 cm – row spacing. For 1 sq. m place no more than 4 plants.

After transplantation, the holes are compacted, moderately watered with warm water and the young bushes are left to get used to the new conditions.

Further care

Regular watering is established as the seedlings take root. Water 2 times a week with settled water at the root of the plants. To keep moisture in the beds longer, they are mulched with peat or straw. After watering, the soil is loosened and weeds with roots are removed.

Reference. Mulching protects against the growth of weeds.

The danger of weed growth is that they take from the soil a large amount of nutrients necessary for the development of tomatoes. In addition, pathogenic spores and pests multiply in weeds.

Feeding apply 3-4 times per season. They are fed with fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium substances, alternating them with organic matter.

During flowering, they are fertilized with a mineral complex with a high content of phosphorus elements, and during fruiting, potassium fertilizers are applied.

From organic matter, use mullein infusion or bird droppings at a dilution of 1:15.

Features of care and possible difficulties

Despite the determinant type, plants need garter And stepsoning. Not only the stem, but also the fruit-bearing branches are tied to vertical or horizontal supports. When transplanting, wooden stakes or metal rods are installed next to each bush, to which the plant is fixed.

As for the horizontal support, this is the most practical fixation option. From different sides of the beds, a wire is pulled between metal supports and the branches are fixed to the wire with soft fabric tapes. A garter on a trellis makes harvesting easier.

The formation of a culture is necessary for a full harvest. The plant is formed into 1 or 2 stems, removing all lateral shoots. They take stepsons early in the morning so that by the evening all the wounds have time to heal. The cut areas are sprinkled with ash to prevent infection.

Diseases and pests

In greenhouse conditions, the likelihood of infection by fungal diseases increases. This is due to the fact that protected structures often experience elevated temperatures and humidity levels. Although the culture has proven itself to be highly resistant to such infections, it is recommended that preventive measures be followed without fail.

Prevention includes moderate watering, systematic loosening and mandatory daily ventilation. Compliance with the rules of crop rotation helps strengthen plant immunity.

Before planting, the soil is spilled with a solution of manganese and treated with copper sulfate, which kills fungal spores.

Among the pests that are dangerous for tomatoes are spider mites, aphids, mole crickets and slugs. Treatment with soapy water or ammonia can help prevent slugs and aphids. To scare away the mole cricket from the beds, just plant onions next to the tomatoes or dig crushed cloves of garlic into the soil. The mole cricket is dangerous because it moves underground and is difficult to notice. Therefore, experienced summer residents do not wait until the insect damages the root system, and immediately after planting in the ground they take the necessary measures.

As for the Colorado potato beetle, it is collected by hand, carefully inspecting each seedling from all sides. When there is a large concentration of the pest, the drug “Prestige” is used.

Reference. The Colorado potato beetle is capable of destroying up to 75% of all plantings.

Nuances when growing tomatoes

Despite the low growth of seedlings, you should not thicken the plantings too much. When the plants are crowded, they suffer from a lack of light, which leads to negative consequences. In addition, the bushes are not ventilated, which causes diseases.

The lower leaves up to the first fruitful branch must be removed so that they do not come into contact with wet beds. Otherwise, the leaves will rot and the plant will become sick.

When growing any crop in a greenhouse, it is best to use drip irrigation. This eliminates many additional difficulties, including high levels of humidity in the beds. For drip irrigation, place a regular plastic bottle without a bottom, neck down, and fill it with water. From it, moisture gradually flows to the root system.

Harvesting and application

At the end of June the first vegetables ripen. There is no need to allow tomatoes to overripe; they are removed on time, unloading the bush for subsequent ripening.

The salad variety is ideal for fresh consumption.Tomatoes make excellent salads, hot and vegetable dishes, freshly squeezed juices and snacks. In addition to freshly squeezed tomatoes, canned juices are made, in which the vegetables perfectly retain their taste.

Ripe tomatoes do not lose their presentation for a long time and can withstand long-term transportation.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Based on reviews with photos, we can confidently say about the numerous advantages of culture:

• simple agricultural technology;
• disease resistance;
• high productivity;
• early ripening;
• low compact bushes;
• excellent taste of fruits;
• marketable condition;
• long-term storage;
• long transportations.

Disadvantages include the mandatory staking and formation of plants.

Farmer reviews

Based on the positive reviews of those who planted the crop in their garden, one can judge its popularity. Here are some opinions:

Ksenia, Taganrog: «I planted it for the first time 2 years ago on the advice of a friend. She spent practically no effort or time on care. The plants have formed strong and powerful. I picked my first tomatoes at the end of June and immediately fell in love with their taste. That’s when I realized: I won’t plant any large varieties.”

Margarita, Syzran: “I love this tomato for its ease of care and the unusual taste of ripe vegetables. I've been planting them for years and am always happy with the results. The variety does not get sick, does not require special attention - this is exactly what I need. I use the fruits not only for summer salads, but also make juices from them for the winter.”

Conclusion

Every gardener's dream has come true! In all regions you can grow early ripening tomatoes with excellent fruits.It not only has a high fruiting rate, but is also immune to dangerous diseases and is so easy to care for that even a beginner in gardening can successfully master its agricultural techniques. And the pronounced taste properties of ripe tomatoes are the main decoration of any dish.