Sow indoors March through April approximately six to eight weeks before planned transplanting. Place seed 0.5 cm deep, maintain 21–27°C, and keep mix moist; emergence generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light, pot seedlings up, and harden gradually. Transplant only after last frost once soil is warm and nights are sufficiently mild.
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Heirloom determinate compact early tomato
Solanaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Mountain Princess’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Mountain Princess’)
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Mountain Princess’
Organic heirloom determinate compact early tomato with uniform red juicy flavourful fruit suited to short seasons.
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
Solanum lycopersicum
Cultivar
Mountain Princess
Type
Heirloom determinate compact early tomato
Cycle
Warm-season annual
Organic ‘Mountain Princess’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Mountain Princess’) is an organic heirloom determinate compact early variety suited to shorter seasons. Uniform red fruit has juicy flavourful flesh and balanced sweet mildly acidic flavour. Plants reach 60–90 cm and generally produce around 68 days after transplanting. It suits family gardens small spaces and 35–45 cm containers. Fruit is enjoyed in salads sandwiches snacks and fresh platters.
Sow indoors March through April six to eight weeks before last frost approximately 0.5 cm deep. Maintain 21–27°C and even moisture; germination generally takes 7–14 days. Provide intense light immediately after emergence, pot up after true leaves, and harden gradually. After frost transplant in full sun into fertile organic-rich well-drained soil. In pots ensure several drainage holes. Light support helps hold loaded stems without constraining determinate growth.
Water deeply and consistently at soil level without saturating the ground, then mulch once it is warm. In containers check moisture often during hot weather. Harvest when fruit is uniformly red and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Pick regularly during the concentrated production period, generally June through August depending on conditions. Monitor cracking blossom-end rot insects and foliar disease. Harvest before frost and discard mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
0.5 cm (1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Space plants approximately 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart to accommodate indeterminate growth and air circulation.
Establishment temperature
21 to 27°C (70 to 81°F)
Establishment time
7 to 14 days
Best planting time
Indoor sowing six to eight weeks before last frost; transplant after frost
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow Mountain Princess indoors March through April six to eight weeks before last frost 0.5 cm deep. Maintain 21–27°C and even moisture until emergence in 7–14 days. Provide intense light, pot up after true leaves, and harden gradually. After frost transplant in full sun in the ground or a 35–45 cm diameter container. Install light support if needed, water at soil level, and mulch. Harvest around 68 days once fruit is uniformly red.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Watering
Water deeply at soil level when the top three to five centimetres begin to dry while maintaining moisture as evenly as possible. Alternating drought and heavy watering encourages cracking and may contribute to blossom-end rot while constantly waterlogged soil suffocates roots and increases disease. Water in the morning without unnecessarily wetting foliage then mulch once soil warms. During fruit set and sizing avoid prolonged water stress. In a large container check moisture daily during hot weather without leaving standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Choose deep fertile loose well-drained organic-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH near 6.0–6.8. Incorporate mature compost before transplanting while avoiding fresh manure and excess nitrogen that produces leaves at the expense of fruit. Work soil when neither sticky nor dusty and do not compact the root zone. Even moisture and adequate calcium reserves support healthy fruiting without automatic calcium additions unless testing supports them. Rotate three or four years away from tomatoes peppers eggplants and potatoes.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before transplanting then base later feeding on a soil test or the label of a balanced fruiting-vegetable fertilizer. Avoid excess nitrogen which promotes very vigorous stems and leaves but delays flowering and ripening. After fruit set balanced nutrition including potassium and phosphorus may support fruiting without exceeding label rates. Never place concentrated fertilizer against roots and water after application. In containers split a dilute solution rather than using one strong dose. No calcium supplement replaces even watering or a test confirming deficiency.
Seasonal care
In spring sow indoors six to eight weeks before last frost and provide intense light immediately after emergence. Pot up after true leaves then harden gradually. After frost transplant in full sun in the ground or a 35–45 cm diameter container. Install light support only if stems bend under fruit. In summer water deeply at soil level, check container moisture often, mulch, and feed moderately. Harvest red fruit regularly during concentrated production. Before frost pick developed fruit, remove plants, and clean containers.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
35 to 45 cm (14 to 18 in) diameter
Choose a stable 35–45 cm diameter deep container with several drainage holes. Fill with airy vegetable potting mix enriched with compost. Install light support if loaded stems bend while respecting the compact 60–90 cm determinate habit. Place in full sun, water slowly when the surface begins to dry, and never leave the container in standing water. Mulch lightly, feed moderately, check moisture daily during hot weather, and harvest regularly.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Compound, divided foliage with an aroma when bruised; grown as an annual in Quebec
Growth rate
Vigorous during the warm season
Bloom period
Small yellow flowers in successive clusters through the warm season
Fruiting
Uniform red fruit produced reliably, generally June through August depending on conditions
Harvest
Generally harvest around 68 days after transplanting once fruit is uniformly red and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Support the cluster with one hand and detach fruit without pulling stems. Pick regularly during the determinate plant’s concentrated production period, generally June through August depending on growing conditions. Before frost bring developed fruit indoors to finish ripening. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard deeply split mouldy slimy or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Basil and early lettuce can occupy nearby space when light, water, air circulation, and root room remain sufficient.
Avoid planting with
Avoid waterlogged soil, overhead watering, crowding, and repeated rotations with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes.
Salads sandwiches snacks tasting platters and fresh eating
From the garden to inspiration.
Mountain Princess tomato sandwich — Rinse one sound fruit and cut slices suited to its size. Layer on toasted bread with lettuce basil and a light spread then season immediately before serving. Keep ingredients cold and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Do not eat tomato leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy deeply split or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
The workbook describes Mountain Princess as a determinate compact early variety. It reaches approximately 60–90 cm and concentrates production over a shorter period than an indeterminate tomato, an advantage in short-summer regions. Install light support only when fruit bends stems. Avoid severe pruning that would unnecessarily reduce leaf area and harvest on a determinate plant.
Generally harvest around 68 days after transplanting once fruit has developed red colour and yields slightly to gentle pressure. A green area may remain at the shoulders and colour varies with sunlight. Support each fruit and cut the stem with a clean tool. Pick progressively, bring developed fruit indoors before frost, and discard mouldy slimy or deeply split fruit.
Yes. Use a stable 35–45 cm diameter deep container with several drainage holes. Fill with airy compost-enriched mix and place in full sun. Check moisture daily during hot weather, water slowly until it drains without standing water, and feed moderately according to label directions. Rotate the container for balanced light and add light support only if stems bend.
Start seed indoors March through April, provide intense light, and harden plants carefully before moving outdoors. Transplant only after last frost into the sunniest available site then mulch once soil warms. The workbook lists approximately 68 days after transplanting. Harvest red fruit regularly to make full use of concentrated production and monitor forecasts for cold nights late in the season.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
