Hardin’s Miniature

• Grown, sold, and described by Bunny Hop Seeds
• Plant growth: determinate, micro-dwarf
• Leaf type: regular rugose leaf
• Time to maturity: early
• Approx. number of seeds per pack: 15+
• Germination Tested after Hot Water Seed Treatment for Fungal and Bacterial Diseases

Hardin’s Miniature is a micro-dwarf variety that most vendors list as being “from Iowa.” One vendor provided information from a USDA entry but the date was 1969. I am not certain these are correct. It is listed twice under two different PI numbers in the original USDA Plant Inventory No. 173, for plant material introduced Jan 1 to Dec 31, 1965. The seeds were first donated to “the United States” and numbered on February 19, 1965 as PI 304249. These seeds were held at the Regional Plant Introduction Station, Geneva, N.Y. Then a second donation was provided by the Tomato Disease Investigations Lab., Jacksonville, Texas to the USDA, with these donated seeds held at the Regional Plant Introduction Station in Ames, Iowa. This donation was numbered PI 309675 on December 8, 1965.

Under PI 304249, the seeds are listed as presented by M. Hardin of Geary, Oklahoma. “’Hardin’s Miniature’. Presented by M. Hardin, Geary, Okla. Plant determinate, dwarf, very compact, 18 by 33 cm. Fruit oval, 3.5 by 2.0 cm., 9 g., red, 3 locules, nipple at blossom end, seedy, juicy, drop from plant; maturity 67 days, nonuniform ripening.”

My trial of this variety matched the information provided exactly. I will grow additional plants next season as this little micro was a superstar in my heat and humidity. After producing quite a crop for such small plants, it died back and then regrew and produced additional fruits in late October. I will have to plant it earlier next year to avoid the massive splitting that took place when we hit our rainy season. The elongated shape makes splitting pretty unavoidable after repeated heavy rains. Those who grow it indoors with controlled watering should have no problem at all with splitting. The fruits were quite juicy and had a very strong tomatoey flavor. Hardin’s Miniature is a little plant with the heart of a lion.
NOTE: One packet per order please.