Moskvich
Solanum lycopersicum
Fruits are early, deep red, and cold tolerant. Rich flavor. Smooth and globe-shaped. 4-6 oz. with a small stem scar. Indeterminate. USDA Certified Organic.
Harvest
60d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–10
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Moskvich in USDA Zone 7
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Moskvich · Zones 10–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Moskvich tomatoes keep best at room temperature for 3-5 days for optimal flavor development. Refrigeration dulls their taste, so only refrigerate fully ripe fruits you can't use immediately - they'll last up to a week in the crisper drawer.
For preservation, Moskvich's balanced flavor and meaty texture make it excellent for canning as whole tomatoes or sauce. The moderate size is perfect for quartering and freezing in bags for winter cooking - simply blanch for 1 minute, peel, and freeze. Their good acidity levels make them safe for water-bath canning without added acid.
Dehydrating works well too; slice into 1/4-inch rounds and dry until leathery. The concentrated flavor rivals much more expensive varieties. Green tomatoes at season's end can be wrapped individually in newspaper and stored in a cool basement, ripening gradually over several weeks.
History & Origin
Moskvich originated in Siberia during the Soviet era, developed specifically for Russia's harsh climate and short growing seasons. The name means 'Muscovite' or 'person from Moscow,' reflecting its Russian heritage and urban adaptability. This variety was bred by Russian plant breeders who needed tomatoes that could reliably produce in regions where the growing season might be as short as 90-100 days.
The variety gained attention among North American gardeners in the 1990s when seed exchanges with former Soviet countries became more common. Cold-climate gardeners in Canada, Alaska, and northern U.S. states quickly adopted Moskvich for its unique combination of early maturity and full flavor - qualities that traditional early varieties often lacked.
Unlike many modern hybrids bred for shipping and shelf life, Moskvich represents old-world plant breeding focused purely on local adaptation and flavor. Its genetics reflect generations of selection for cold tolerance and reliability rather than appearance or uniformity, making it a valuable heirloom for preservation and continued adaptation.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, draws pests away
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Oregano
Repels many insect pests and may enhance tomato flavor
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and benefits from tomato shade during hot weather
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato hornworm, creating pest concentration
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent cold tolerance, good resistance to early blight and septoria leaf spot
Common Pests
Cutworms, flea beetles, aphids
Diseases
Late blight in humid conditions, fusarium wilt