Hardin’s Miniature is a very productive micro-dwarf.
It has unique plum shaped tomatoes (with a little pip) that help it stand out in a crowd!
Depending on where you grow it (garden or pot), Hardin’s Miniature will vary in height. It will be about 12″ in the garden or about 6″ in a pot.
It is more productive in the ground where it will give you high yields of tomatoes all summer right into the fall (see last image — the plant is looking a bit scraggly but the picture was taken in late September). If you have a smaller garden space, this would be a great tomato.
Hardin’s Miniature was introduced by the Gleckler’s seed company in 1957. It made the front cover of their seed catalog that year (see image). Here is their description of Hardin’s Miniature:
“A plant only four inches tall bearing small red plum-shaped, mild flavored fruit. A novelty and curiosity when grown as potted plants as well as bearing tasty edible fruit. It is believed to be the smallest plant in the world. A very prolific bearer for its size; extremely early maturity. A few flower pots of these among your winter house plants indeed [are] a sight and talking point to your friends.”
Hardin’s Miniature was developed by amateur plant breeder Mark Hardin of Oklahoma. He is listed in the ‘Directory of Members’ in the inaugural Tomato Genetics Cooperative yearbook (1951) and described his tomato breeding project as, “Breeding for wind, drought, heat, disease resistance and early maturity”. He developed a few other tomatoes (e.g. Angora) and cucumbers and donated many of his varieties to the USDA genebank. Our original seedstock came from the Seed Savers Exchange (USA).
A small note about Hardin’s unique growth pattern – when its leaves are young, they are curled and will ‘unfurl’ or unroll. As the leaves mature, they flatten (as pictured). The rolled leaves give the plant a wispy look, but rest assured this is a hardy and very productive plant!
How to Plant: Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost. Plant seed 5mm (¼ inch) deep. Transplant after the danger of frost has passed/later spring.
