25 seeds
Cultivation: easy
Seed saving: beginner
Irrigation needs: **
Spagnoletta from Gaeta Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)
Spagnoletta from Gaeta Tomato (Lycopersicon Lycopersicum): traditional, ancient tomato from the area of Gaeta and Formia, it holds unique characteristics. The plant is determined and small, very early. The berries are tasty, juicy, a bit sour. The tomatoes, slightly ribbed, take a beautiful intense red when ripe; it is sought after and highly appreciated in traditional recipes, consumed mostly fresh; it is, however, difficult to find. The cultivation of this variety has constantly declined because it is not very suitable for the market once picked, the Spagnoletta has a short shelf-life, hence it's not suitable for transport. Moreover, it's not very productive and its maturation is not uniform, these reasons mean that the extension of the crops, above all for self-production, do not exceed five hectares. However, it is those characteristics and farmers' selection that has provided it with great rusticity, very few needs, and great taste. The Spagnoletta is cultivated, always in a very limited quantity, also in the lower Lazio where it often takes the name of Casalino.
* = Very low: no need for irrigation
** = Low: also suitable for hot and arid areas, irrigate only in case of prolonged drough.
*** = Reduced: this variety is amongst the leas demanding of its species, hence it is highly suitable for areas with sporadic rainfall, to be irrigated only in case of prolonged droughts
**** = Tolerant to water stress: it needs moderate irrigation, suitable for gardens with low water consumption.
We are currently creating a guide for this kind of cultivation, unfortunately, until the guide is published, this is only an overall indication that we can provide without causing confusion about the process. Dry farming, in fact, requires cultivation techniques suitable for the specific pedoclimate and substrate. All of the varieties included in this category have been acclimatized in Italy.
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