{"product_id":"maidas-kootenai-giant-tomato","title":"Maida's Kootenai Giant Tomato seeds","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"31\" data-end=\"272\"\u003eMaida's Kootenai Giant is probably the largest Roma type tomato you can grow. Its massive, heavy, and meaty fruits offer exceptional flavor, ideal for sauces, baking, and canning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"686\"\u003eIntroduced to British Columbia by Mr. Maida, an Italian immigrant who settled in the Kootenays, this rare heirloom variety has been carefully preserved by local gardeners. It is now offered exclusively by Metchosin Farm. Its indeterminate, vigorous, and very productive plants require strong staking to support abundant harvests of large, elongated tomatoes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"688\" data-end=\"732\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to grow Maida’s Kootenai Giant tomato\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"734\" data-end=\"978\"\u003eThis variety is perfectly suited for zones 3 to 9. It prefers full sun exposure and rich, fertile, well-drained soil. It is ideally grown in open ground, raised beds, or in a greenhouse with vertical support.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"980\" data-end=\"1018\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory and traditional use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1020\" data-end=\"1461\"\u003eThis precious family heirloom has been passed down from generation to generation since its introduction from Italy to Canada by Mr. Maida. Wes Johnson, a neighbor of Metchosin Farm, played a key role in preserving and distributing this variety among gardeners. Thanks to its unique history and the impressive size of its fruits, Maida's Kootenai Giant is now highly appreciated by gardeners and chefs alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1463\" data-end=\"1507\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing guide according to Canadian zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1874\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eZones 8 to 9: Sow indoors in January to February. Transplant in April. Harvest from late June to October.\u003cbr data-start=\"1620\" data-end=\"1623\"\u003eZones 5 to 7: Sow indoors from late February to mid-March. Transplant after the last frost. Harvest from July to September.\u003cbr data-start=\"1757\" data-end=\"1760\"\u003eZones 3 to 4: Sow indoors in March. Transplant after frost or grow in a greenhouse. Harvest around August.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1981\" data-start=\"1600\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0570\/7841\/5473\/files\/Plant_Hardiness.png?v=1734491528\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"63\" data-end=\"238\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"73\" data-end=\"76\"\u003eStart seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant seedlings, spacing them 60 cm (24 in) apart in full sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"240\" data-end=\"336\"\u003eWatering\u003cbr data-start=\"248\" data-end=\"251\"\u003eWater regularly and deeply to prevent fruit splitting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"338\" data-end=\"487\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"345\" data-end=\"348\"\u003eHarvest fruits when they are completely red and firm. Use them for sauces, tomato paste, or fresh cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"489\" data-end=\"608\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"501\"\u003eInstall sturdy staking or a robust trellis, as the plants are vigorous and the fruits are heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"772\" data-end=\"863\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed extraction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"797\"\u003eRemove seeds and place them in a container with their gel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"865\" data-end=\"964\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"877\" data-end=\"880\"\u003eLet ferment for 2 to 3 days, stirring daily, until the gel separates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"966\" data-end=\"1085\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCleaning and drying\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"989\"\u003eRinse seeds, then spread them on a cloth or sieve to dry completely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1087\" data-end=\"1210\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1095\" data-end=\"1098\"\u003eStore seeds in a cool, dry place away from light. They remain viable for up to 5 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1288\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertified organic by\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1238\"\u003eIslands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1288\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0969\/0801\/8032\/files\/2025_Organic_Certificate.webp?v=1776552673\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Metchosin Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53644651757936,"sku":"MF-TOMATO-023","price":6.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0969\/0801\/8032\/files\/magic_edit_TUFISHoyMXo4TncjMSNiZmI0OGQxNThiYzIyNzhlNTIxNmRiMjM1MjJmMGE4OSMyMTAjI1RSQU5TRk9STUFUSU9OX1JFUVVFU1Q.jpg?v=1777074190","url":"https:\/\/www.biocos.ca\/en-au\/products\/maidas-kootenai-giant-tomato","provider":"Biocos Canada ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}