Commercially introduced by us
Phonetically pronounced: kuh-peck high-ya-suh
This is an old Turkish heirloom from Alakır Basin of Western Taurus Region, Turkey. Once widely grown in the region, Köpek Hayası almost became extinct until, in early 2000’s, Birhan Erkutlu and Tuba Günal recovered its seeds from an eco-village in France.
Large, meaty fruits have excellent flavor and develop dark green shoulders which eventually fades into red as the fruits ripen. Plants are prolific and many fruits weigh around 1 lb. This is a multi-purpose, mid-season variety for eating off the vine, canning, and making sauces and paste.
Seeds for Köpek Hayası were originally sent to us by Volkan Yalazay, an olive farmer from Çanakkale, Turkey.
Packet has 20 seeds
- Solanum lycopersicum
- Full sun
- Planting depth: 1/8″
- Sprouts in 7-10 days
- Ideal growing temperature: 75-95F
- Plant spacing: 24″
- Frost hardy: No
- Growth habit: Indeterminate
- Growing tips: Start in seedling trays in seed starting soil that has essential nutrients in it 6-8 weeks prior to last frost. Barely cover the seeds with soil and keep the soil moist for quick germination. Make sure to keep the young seedlings under good light to have strong plants with sturdy, healthy stems and leaves. Transplant after last frost in well-drained, fertile soil. Feed with liquid fertilizer once every two weeks. Water regularly especially in flower stage. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease. Trellis indeterminate varieties with long vines and prune leaves if the plant canopy becomes too thick for improved air circulation.
I love this tomato! It is easy to grow. Lovely flesh and not much water. Great for tomato sandwiches.
Villinger and Kopec Hayasi were both very productive flavorful tomato varieties. Blight did get them at the end of the season, but overall we were delighted. I gave extra plants to a friend who raved about the Villinger.
Did well, moderate yield. Dense and meaty flesh. Great for sandwiches.