Description of the Leningradsky Kholodok tomato, cultivation, and reviews of the variety

The Leningradsky Kholodok tomato was bred by the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics specifically for northern zones with short summers. This variety tolerates cold temperatures well.

What is the Leningradsky Kholodok tomato?

This tomato is an early-ripening, determinate (low-growing) variety, intended for growing in open ground and under cover. The maximum height of the bush is 35-40 cm. Each bush produces 3 to 4 clusters, each bearing 7 to 8 fruits. A single bush typically yields up to 3 kg of tomatoes.

To reap a rich harvest, you need to:

• sow seeds in early April;
• transplant into open ground in early June;
• choose a suitable landing site;
• take proper care.

When planting tomatoes, pay attention to the quality of the soil. It must be fertile to grow a healthy and bountiful harvest. Many gardeners believe that adding clay, peat, and sand makes the soil rich. But soil is naturally a living system, containing a porous layer and soil-dwelling organisms.

The soil contains the remains of decayed roots and the channels dug by worms. And most importantly, the soil is able to remain moist due to the warm air and cold soil, which condense water vapor. Therefore, loosening the soil has a positive effect on its quality.

But for planting seeds for seedlings, it's best to purchase a ready-made substrate. Those who have planted seeds recommend moistening them beforehand to speed up the germination process. For disinfection, you can purchase a special solution or dilute a clear solution of potassium permanganate. Place the seeds on a double layer of gauze soaked in water and place them in a plastic bag.

It is advisable to keep it near heating devices to speed up the process.
After the first shoots appear, the young seedlings are transplanted into soil and the container is placed in a bright and warm place (usually a windowsill).

Once the plant has 2-3 true leaves, it can be transplanted into open ground. However, two weeks before the planned transplant, the seedlings should be hardened off to allow them to better adapt to the new conditions.

Small holes are dug in the prepared soil, the depth of which should correspond to the length of the seedling roots. Leave a distance of 50-60 cm between the bushes. Although the Leningradsky Kholodok variety is low-growing, it is best to tie it to a support.

To ensure proper tomato development, it's important to regularly hill and weed. Experienced gardeners recommend mulching the root system, such as compost or straw. When the first inflorescences appear, some of them can be picked to allow the inflorescences on other brushes to grow.

It's worth noting that there's no need to remove side shoots from the plant; instead, the bush develops from side shoots. These fan out around the main stem, producing a considerable number of plum-shaped, deep-red tomatoes. The fruit can be harvested directly by the clusters.

The Leningradsky Kholodok tomato can be sown directly into the ground, skipping the process of sowing seeds in pots, pricking out seedlings, and transplanting them, but only if the plants are grown in a greenhouse. This planting method is best used in the second half of April. Fertilize the plants during the seedling and transplant stages.

Gardeners' reviews of tomatoes

According to reviews from gardeners and vegetable growers on websites and forums, there are no problems with the Leningradsky Kholodok tomato. Here are some of them.

Nadya, St. Petersburg:
"After visiting a grocery store, I decided to buy Leningradsky Kholodok seeds. I was drawn to the early ripening variety, as we've barely seen any summer. The plant turned out to be robust, but as it developed, it kept falling apart, even though it was tied up. The fruit grew evenly, and the harvest was bountiful, which was especially gratifying."

Maria, Novosibirsk:
"I liked this variety because it's a 'plant and forget' variety. It doesn't require much attention and grows in the most ordinary conditions. The tomatoes taste like all the others."