{"product_id":"maidas-kootenai-giant-tomato","title":"Maida's Kootenai Giant Tomato","description":"\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"994\" data-start=\"440\"\u003eMaida’s Kootenai Giant is likely the largest Roma-style tomato you’ll ever grow. These massive, weighty, and meaty fruits are bursting with flavour and perfect for sauce, roasting, and preserving. Brought to British Columbia by Mr. Maida, an Italian immigrant to the Kootenays, this rare heirloom tomato has been preserved through local gardeners and is now offered exclusively by Metchosin Farm. Its tall, indeterminate vines require staking and reward growers with heavy yields of uniquely large plum tomatoes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1220\" data-start=\"996\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1049\" data-start=\"996\"\u003eWhere Can You Grow Maida's Kootenai Giant Tomato?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1052\" data-start=\"1049\"\u003eBest suited to Zones 3–9, this tomato thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Ideal for garden beds, raised planters, and greenhouses with vertical support.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1598\" data-start=\"1222\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1253\" data-start=\"1222\"\u003eHistory and Historical Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1256\" data-start=\"1253\"\u003eThis treasured heirloom has been passed down through generations after being brought from Italy to Canada by Mr. Maida. Wes Johnson, a neighbour to Metchosin Farm, helped preserve the variety and share it with new growers. With its rich history and unparalleled fruit size, Maida’s Kootenai Giant continues to impress growers and chefs alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1981\" data-start=\"1600\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1629\" data-start=\"1600\"\u003eCanadian Zone Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1632\" data-start=\"1629\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1646\" data-start=\"1632\"\u003eZones 8-9:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start seeds in January–February. Transplant in April for harvests from late June to October.\u003cbr data-end=\"1742\" data-start=\"1739\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1756\" data-start=\"1742\"\u003eZones 5-7:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow indoors late February to mid-March. Transplant outdoors after the last frost for July–September harvests.\u003cbr data-end=\"1869\" data-start=\"1866\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1883\" data-start=\"1869\"\u003eZones 3-4:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start seeds indoors in March. Transplant after frost or grow in a greenhouse for August harvests.\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 class=\"\" data-end=\"2379\" data-start=\"1983\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2040\" data-start=\"1983\"\u003eHow to Grow and Harvest Maida's Kootenai Giant Tomato\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2379\" data-start=\"1983\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2056\" data-start=\"2043\"\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant 60cm (24in) apart in full sun.\u003cbr data-end=\"2150\" data-start=\"2147\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2163\" data-start=\"2150\"\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply and consistently to avoid cracking.\u003cbr data-end=\"2215\" data-start=\"2212\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2230\" data-start=\"2215\"\u003eHarvesting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick fruit when fully red and firm. Use for paste, sauce, or fresh cooking.\u003cbr data-end=\"2309\" data-start=\"2306\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2325\" data-start=\"2309\"\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide sturdy staking or trellising for heavy vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2780\" data-start=\"2381\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2419\" data-start=\"2381\"\u003eSeed Saving Tips for Future Supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2780\" data-start=\"2381\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2444\" data-start=\"2422\"\u003eSelect Best Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose large, healthy fruit from disease-free plants.\u003cbr data-end=\"2501\" data-start=\"2498\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2519\" data-start=\"2501\"\u003eExtract Seeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Scoop seeds into a container with gel.\u003cbr data-end=\"2561\" data-start=\"2558\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2573\" data-start=\"2561\"\u003eFerment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Let sit 2-3 days, stirring daily, until gel separates.\u003cbr data-end=\"2631\" data-start=\"2628\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2649\" data-start=\"2631\"\u003eClean and Dry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rinse seeds, spread on a towel or screen to dry.\u003cbr data-end=\"2701\" data-start=\"2698\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2711\" data-start=\"2701\"\u003eStore:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep in a cool, dry, dark place. Seeds are viable for up to 5 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2861\" data-start=\"2782\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2806\" data-start=\"2782\"\u003eCertified Organic By\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2809\" data-start=\"2806\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"2861\" data-start=\"2809\"\u003eIslands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Metchosin Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48811182751986,"sku":"MF-TOMATO-023","price":4.76,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/4106\/0082\/files\/Maida_s_Kootenai_Giant_Tomato.jpg?v=1772481893","url":"https:\/\/homeandwell.ca\/products\/maidas-kootenai-giant-tomato","provider":"Home \u0026 Well ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}