Maja Tomato

75 days, determinate — 'Maja', pronounced as and also sometimes referred to as 'Maya', is not a dwarf or tree-type, but it does have a compact (reach twenty-four to thirty-six inches tall), Determinate-type growth habit. Because it is so productive and gets weighted down with fruit, 'Maja' will benefit from a good, sturdy basket or stakes to support it. The red colored fruit are salad-sized, averaging one-and-a-half to two inches in diameter making them perfect for snacking and salads. They are also well-suited for canning and using in sauces and soups.

Their flavor is best described as classic. That is, they have that old-time, "red tomato flavor" that is a nice balance of sweetness with just the right amount of tartness. Very juicy and delicious.

Introduced to American gardeners by Ake Truedsson of Sweden (SWED TR A) in the 2007 edition of the Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook, 'Maja' is an old Swedish tomato variety. We presume that 'Maja' will perform well just about anywhere, but here in the Maritime Pacific Northwest, they are an excellent choice.

We were sent seed to grow by members of the Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County, Washington. They described how they propagate seedlings for an annual fund raising plant sale on Mother's Day weekend. One of their most sought after varieties is 'Maja'. They went on to explain, "Unfortunately seeds for this variety is not available in the United States ... I'm hoping that you will consider adding 'Maja' to your to the vast varieties that you offer."

When a Master Gardener tells us that a variety has such positive attributes and that it is so popular, our interest is piqued! Growing it out confirmed their description. Each packet contains approximately 20 seeds.