8 early tomatoes

‘Black Zebra cocktail’: an early, very tangy cherry tomato

Black Zebra Cocktail tomato is a dwarf version of the classic ‘Black Zebra’. It grows 80 to 120 cm tall and produces small fruits (20–30 g), borne in panicles of 7 to 11 fruits. These small spherical and very distinctive tomatoes display a dark green epidermis marbled with reddish‑orange. First fruits reach ripeness at around 70 days.

Their particularly tangy flavour is much appreciated for enlivening aperitifs with friends and picnics.

Black Zebra Cocktail tomato can easily be grown in a pot or in a large planter, in a rich substrate, in a sunny position that is warm without scorching. Sown between March and April, and harvested from late June through September.

Tomato 'Orange Queen': as productive as it is attractive

Orange Queen tomato is a pretty early variety (ripeness at 65 days) and productive with limited vigour (80 to 120 cm tall) that produces fruits weighing 50 to 200 g, of a beautiful yellow to bright orange colour. Flattened and slightly lobed at the shoulders, these fruits appear in trusses of 4 to 5 fruits.

Their dense, juicy flesh of the beefsteak type offers a mild flavour that lends itself to all kinds of cooked preparations, particularly for stuffing.

This variety prefers to be grown in rich, cool soil, in a sunny position. Sow Orange Queen tomato under cover between March and April, to harvest from late June to September.

Tomato 'Fournaise F1': very early, flavoursome hybrid

‘Fournaise F1’ is a very early hybrid tomato variety (ripeness approximately 65 days) that produces fruits of about 100 to 300 g, with a bright, glossy red epidermis.

It is valued for its excellent flavour which makes it suitable for both raw and cooked preparations.

Fond of sun and rich, fresh soil, Fournaise tomato presents no particular cultivation difficulties. With indeterminate habit, it does, however, require staking from planting. Sow under cover between February and May, for a very long harvest, from late June to October.

‘Brin de Muguet’ tomato: small, distinctive fruits for aperitifs

‘Brin de Muguet’ is a tomato with a compact and bushy habit. Early (70–75 days), it produces small fruits (30 to 40 g) of oblong shape with a pointed base, with a dark red epidermis, and which are borne in clusters of 9 to 10 fruits.

With its attractive original shape and tangy flavour, cherry tomato Brin de Muguet is perfect for enhancing summer aperitifs.

‘Brin de Muguet’ is an easy-to-grow tomato in sun and in healthy, rich, fresh soil. Thanks to its compact habit, it does not require staking. Sow under heated cover between March and April, and harvest from late June to September.

Tomato 'Tigrella': old, vigorous and productive variety

The ‘Tigrella’ bicolour is an early (ripeness between 65-70 days) productive heirloom variety of tomato that produces spherical fruits with epidermis striped red and yellow. Weighing between 70 and 100 g, these fruits form clusters of 6 to 7.

Their dense, juicy flesh has a fairly sweet flavour enlivened by a hint of acidity. Tigrella bicolour tomato can be enjoyed cooked, but its flavour is much richer when eaten raw.

This variety is very vigorous and particularly disease-resistant, making it very easy to grow. Sown between March and April, harvested from late June to September.

Tomato ‘Gold Nugget’: perfect early variety for balcony

Gold Nugget tomato is an early variety (between 55 and 70 days) and very fruit-bearing cherry-type, not exceeding 80 cm in height. It produces small round fruits 2 to 3 cm in diameter, of a golden yellow to saffron yellow colour.

With their sweet flavour and attractive colour, Gold Nugget fruits are perfect for nibbling with drinks, or to brighten salads.

Because of its compact growth, Gold Nugget tomato can easily be grown in a pot, on a sunny balcony or terrace, in a rich, fresh potting compost. It is sown under cover between February and May, for a harvest from mid-July to October.

'Marmande': an early tomato with a solid reputation

The famous Marmande tomato is a fairly early variety, between early and mid-season (70 to 80 days). It owes its reputation to its fruits of medium to large size (100 to 300 g). Slightly flattened fruits, with midribbed shoulders, and an attractive deep red.

‘Marmande’ is much appreciated for its aroma, its sweet flavour, and its firm texture. It is well suited indeed to all raw and cooked preparations (stuffed dishes, juices, sauces, salads…).

Marmande tomato is a vigorous, productive variety, particularly well suited to growing conditions in cool regions with short summers. Sow under cover from March to April, and harvest from mid-July to September.

‘Fandango’: hybrid tomato resistant to cracking

Fandango tomato is a pretty, relatively early and productive hybrid (ripeness in 80-85 days), whose round fruits offer a size particularly homogeneous. Each bright, shiny red fruit weighs on average 150 g.

With its very firm, juicy flesh and excellent flavour, ‘Fandango’ is particularly resistant to cracking. It is therefore used in the preparation of many dishes.

Easy to grow in a sunny position, and in rich, moist soil, Fandango tomato needs to be staked or trained from planting. Sow from February to April under heated cover, and harvest from July to September.

Further reading

Discover our selections of mid-season tomatoes and late-season tomatoes.