The Early Girl dry farmed tomato is a sweet tasting short-season hybrid tomato, meaning they are quick to mature after planting. The Early Girl originated in France and was introduced to the United States in the 1970’s and has since become extremely popular in California.
Dry farming conserves water by relying primarily on residual moisture in the soil left after the rainy season. Once the plants have become established, all irrigation is cut off to the fields. This lack of water stresses the plants, forcing their roots deep into the soil in search of water and nutrients. Due to the tomato’s lower water content, the result is a smaller, vibrantly red and tremendously flavorful treat. Dry farmed Early Girls boast high levels of vitamins A and C and a stronger outer skin that won’t easily bruise.
Farmers initially began dry farming their tomatoes out of necessity; they either didn’t have access to water or didn’t have electricity to pump irrigation water from underground aquifers to their fields. The highly coveted flavor associated with dry farmed tomatoes today was just an added benefit.
Earl’s buys its Early Girls from a variety of growers but is currently featuring product from Tutti Frutti Farms, located off the central coast in Lompoc, California where Chris Cadwell has been growing for over 25 years. Cadwell says “Early Girl tomatoes are more adaptable to the coast (Mediterrean climate of warm, dry days with low moisture in the winter and spring) and have that good old fashion tomato taste the public loves”.
We anticipate having Early Girls in stock through October but the onset of early rains will end their short season so enjoy them now! Some of the best ways to eat an Early Girl are out of hand, tossed in a salad, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, added to pasta, or roasted with olive oil, garlic slices, salt and pepper.
