Siberian Tomato Seeds

Siberian tomatoes aren’t actually from Russia. The name comes from their ability to set fruit in cold temperatures as low as 3 degrees Celsius . The story of this heirloom strain begins in a nursery in Alberta, when Ron Driskill, a horticulture teacher, took interest. The seeds, reportedly being trialed in Siberia, were obtained in 1975 from a soviet woman touring Canada. Mr. Driskill became a champion of this early-flowering variety and promoted it especially to northern growers. The popularity of the tomato encouraged him to start a small family-run seed company, “The Siberia Seed Company.”

Siberian tomatoes can bear ripe fruit as quickly as 50 days after transplanting. They are therefore one of the earliest fruiting tomatoes on the market. Just don’t let them get exposed to frost, they’re still a tender plant after all. Bright red, globular fruits set in clusters and weigh 5 ounces on average. Sturdy plants grow to be about 2 meters tall and require little staking. 

In the garden Siberia plants are low maintenance, quite attractive, bushy and covered with uniform, ruby red tomatoes. The fruits are versatile and easy to process, perfect for large batches of sauce and canning. The classic tomato flavour also makes it a good choice for slicing on sandwiches and salads, or even eating right out of your hand!

- Latin Name: Solanum lycopersicum
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Days to Maturity: 60-80
- Planting Depth: 5 mm - 1 cm
- Plant Spacing: 45-60 cm
- Row Spacing: 90 cm
- Growth Habit: Determinate

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

For most folks, tomatoes are an indispensable summer fruit. There are scores of heirloom varieties showcasing different shapes, sizes, colors, flavours and textures. Tap into this large selection when starting from seed. You have the ability to grow and eat your perfect tomato!

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date. In flats or individual pots, plant seeds at 1 cm. Make sure soil stays warm and moist. The ideal temperature for germination is 21°C. Keep seedlings under lights, a few centimeters away from the top of the plants and adjust as needed. An oscillating fan will provide the young plants some resistance. This will result in stockier stems and more structurally sound tomato plants. Seedlings should be hardened off a week prior to transplanting.

When the soil is 16°c and all danger of frost has passed it is time to transplant. Pinch off any sets of lower leaves that are yellow or faded so more of the stem can be buried. Place roots deeply into the hole to the point that the bottom leaves are just above the surface of the soil. Roots will sprout from the stalk and provide a stronger base for the plant.

Provide a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Water well, about 5cm/week, mulch and feed every two weeks. Leave fruits on the vine to ripen as long as possible.

There are two main categories of tomato plants: determinate and indeterminate.

A determinate tomato is a bush-type plant, usually reaching about three to four feet tall, making them ideal for the small-space gardener. The fruits of a determinate tomato plant ripen all at once, which is useful for those who want to grow tomatoes for canning.

Indeterminate tomatoes grow continuously until the first frost and can reach six to twenty feet in height. Indeterminate plants produce tomatoes all season long for a continuous harvest.

If indeterminate varieties are being grown, be sure to set up tall trellises or cages to support the wandering vines. One sturdy stake and some twine should suffice for determinate varieties.

Tomatoes can easily be frozen whole, but never refrigerate a tomato. This will deteriorate its fresh garden taste and texture. Enjoy fresh throughout the season and make multiple batches of sauce and salsa to savour through the winter.

QUICK FACTS

- The ancestor of the tomato is native to South America, where the wild versions are the size of peas. The Spanish first introduced tomatoes to Europe during the 1500s. Unique varieties were developed over the next several hundred years to improve production, size, shape, colour, and flavour.

- Tomato seeds will remain viable for 5 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.