Sub Arctic tomatoes at green, yellow-orange, and red stages hang among branching stems and broad leaves. A wooden stake runs behind the fruit, and pale twine provides support on the right. The close view includes both healthy green foliage and a few browned leaf edges around the overlapping clusters on the plant.
Compact very early short-season tomato Solanaceae

Organic fruiting vegetable seeds

Organic 'Sub Arctic' tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Product code : BIOVO-0137

Organic Sub Arctic offers a compact tomato plant and a very early red harvest for gardens with a limited warm season. Sturdy plants around 45–60 cm tall carry small, round, juicy fruit. The approximate 55-day maturity reference begins at transplanting; earliness does not mean frost tolerance. Start seedlings indoors, harden them gradually, and set them outside only after frost danger into sunny, fertile, well-drained soil. A short stake or small cage helps support loaded branches. Maintain consistent moisture and pick ripe tomatoes regularly. Before a forecast freeze, collect sound developed fruit and move portable pots under shelter when practical, without expecting cold protection to extend production indefinitely.
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Detailed plant guide
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Exposure
Full sun
Life cycle
Warm-season annual

Discover the plant

Common nameSub Arctic red tomato
FamilySolanaceae
GenusSolanum
Specieslycopersicum
CultivarSub Arctic
TypeCompact very early short-season tomato
Botanical nameSolanum lycopersicum

Organic 'Sub Arctic' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a compact very early organic variety suited to regions with short summer seasons. The sturdy plant reaches approximately 45–60 cm and quickly forms small round red tomatoes with juicy flesh. They suit salads, snacks, sandwiches, and fresh platters. Harvest generally begins around 55 days after transplanting, increasing the opportunity to pick ripe fruit before cold nights return. This earliness does not make either the plant or tomatoes frost tolerant. Grow it when manageable height and a prompt red harvest are useful priorities.

Sow indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost, approximately 0.5 cm deep. Keep the mix warm and evenly moist without saturation, then provide intense light immediately after emergence. Pot seedlings up after true leaves appear and harden them gradually. Once frost risk has passed, transplant in full sun into fertile, organic-rich, well-drained soil. A short stake or small cage installed at planting helps support loaded stems. Leave enough room between plants to preserve airflow and make harvesting easier. Protect new transplants from sudden cold and severe wind while roots establish.

Water deeply at soil level when the surface begins to dry and maintain even moisture through fruit set and sizing. Mulch after the ground warms, preserve good airflow, and avoid excess nitrogen. Harvest when tomatoes are uniformly red, slightly yielding, and still firm. Pick regularly and bring developed fruit indoors before forecast frost. Frost cloth can protect the plant temporarily during a cool night, but remove it by day to prevent overheating. Discard tomatoes that become mouldy, slimy, deeply split, or abnormal-smelling before kitchen use or storage at home safely.

Sub Arctic tomatoes at green, yellow-orange, and red stages hang among branching stems and broad leaves. A wooden stake runs behind the fruit, and pale twine provides support on the right. The close view includes both healthy green foliage and a few browned leaf edges around the overlapping clusters on the plant.

Sowing guide

It all startswith a seed.

Sowing depth

0.5 cm (1/4 in)

Spacing / density

Space plants approximately 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart to accommodate growth and air circulation.

Germination temperature

21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F)

Germination time

7 to 14 days

Sowing period

March through April indoors Adjust these dates to your local frost dates and soil conditions; Canadian growing seasons vary by region.

Propagation

Seed

Growing method

When to start tomato seeds indoors: 'Sub Arctic' tomato. Sow approximately 0.5 cm deep in clean seed-starting mix six to eight weeks before the local average last frost. Use clean, moist seed starting mix that drains freely, and never leave the tray saturated. Maintain 21 to 27 °C and even moisture without saturating the cells; seedlings generally emerge in 7 to 14 days. Move them under strong light immediately and provide gentle airflow so growth remains compact. Pot up after true leaves develop, preserving the label and root ball. Harden plants gradually to sunlight, wind, and cooler air, but remember that an early cultivar is not frost tolerant. Transplant only after frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed, choosing full sun and fertile, well-drained ground. Sub Arctic remains compact and sturdy at about 45 to 60 cm, so install a short stake or low cage before fruit begins adding weight. Keep the planting open to light and watering access, water deeply at soil level, and mulch after the ground warms. Feed moderately; excess nitrogen can favour leaves over timely flowers and fruit. Begin checking for harvest approximately 50 to 60 days after transplanting. Pick small round tomatoes once they are evenly red, firm, and slightly yielding. Continue regular harvests, remove damaged foliage that restricts airflow, and collect sound developed fruit before the first autumn frost rather than trying to protect the plant through freezing weather.

Soil and care

The right care,at the right time.

Soil pH

Approximately 6.0 to 6.8

Care level

Moderate

Watering

'Sub Arctic' tomato carries many small fruit, so a dry root zone can interrupt several clusters at once. 'Sub Arctic' tomato's small round red fruit is carried on compact and sturdy growth, so extend watering beyond the stem as the supported canopy enlarges. The harvest guide for 'Sub Arctic' tomato is approximately 50 to 60 days after transplanting; maintain moisture while younger clusters continue filling. Water 'Sub Arctic' tomato slowly at the base, soak its root zone, then wait until the upper soil begins to dry before irrigating again.

Soil type

Set 'Sub Arctic' tomato in fertile, well-drained loam that warms readily and gives its roots room to follow the supported plant. Prepare 'Sub Arctic' tomato's bed for compact and sturdy growth bearing small round red fruit, not only for the small spring transplant. Allow approximately 50 to 60 days after transplanting for 'Sub Arctic' tomato to develop, providing soil volume that stays aerated after repeated watering. Before setting 'Sub Arctic' tomato, mix mature compost through the area while preserving a crumbly structure rather than a dense amended pocket. For 'Sub Arctic' tomato, use the supplied pH range of approximately 6.0 to 6.8 as the soil-testing target.

Fertilization

Once 'Sub Arctic' flowers, favour steady growth over leafy surges. Choose amendments from soil results and crop response. For 'Sub Arctic' tomato, fruit development competes with foliage under excessive nitrogen. Keep dry fertilizer outside the immediate stem area. Sub Arctic red tomato benefits from balanced fertility before its first trusses. Allow time for each application to show results. For 'Sub Arctic', its root zone needs consistent moisture while fruit enlarges. Read the root zone before reaching for fertilizer. Fertilizer cannot correct water-related disorders on 'Sub Arctic' tomato.

Moisture

Consistent soil moisture without saturation; good air circulation around the foliage.

Seasonal care

Seasonal care for 'Sub Arctic' tomato. Plan 'Sub Arctic' tomato from local frost and soil conditions rather than a fixed calendar: indoor sowing six to eight weeks before last frost; transplant after frost. Sow 0.5 cm deep and allow 7 to 14 days for emergence at 21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F), then move seedlings promptly into strong light as soon as they appear. Keep young seedlings close to strong light, rotate trays for balanced growth, and pot them on before roots become crowded. After several days of hardening, set 'Sub Arctic' plants outdoors only when frost danger has passed and nights have become reliably mild. Even with a compact habit, give the plant a short cage or stake before branches carry a full crop. Prepare a sunny, well-drained bed; mix mature compost through the root zone and keep the lower leaves clear of soil splash. Water slowly and deeply, allowing the surface to start drying before the next irrigation so small round red fruit develops under steady conditions. Where space is limited, give 'Sub Arctic' tomato a container large enough for its mature root system and keep every drainage opening clear. As yellow flowers open, preserve airflow around 'Sub Arctic', check ties and supports, and watch the undersides of leaves for early pest or disease signs. Use the supplied harvest guidance—approximately 50 to 60 days after transplanting—as a starting point; judge each fruit by developed colour, full size, and a slight yield under gentle pressure. Harvest 'Sub Arctic' regularly without pulling the vine, and bring sound, well-developed fruit indoors before the first hard frost.

Container growing

A garden,within reach.

Growing 'Sub Arctic' tomato in containers. Choose a large stable deep container with several drainage holes. Fill it with airy vegetable potting mix enriched with a moderate amount of compost. Transplant a hardened plant after all frost risk has passed and place the pot in full sun. Install a short stake or small cage at planting to support loaded stems. Water slowly until excess drains, then wait until the surface begins to dry before watering again. Never leave the container standing in a water-filled saucer. During hot weather, check moisture daily because potting mix can dry quickly. Add light mulch without covering the stem base and feed moderately according to a vegetable fertilizer label. Rotate the pot when light is uneven, check support stability after strong wind, and harvest ripe red fruit regularly. Monitor forecasts because Sub Arctic's earliness provides no frost resistance. When frost is forecast, temporarily move the container to a protected location or bring developed fruit indoors, then remove any cover during the day to prevent overheating. Keep drainage openings clear, maintain airflow around foliage, and remove fallen damaged tomatoes promptly. Inspect leaf undersides regularly and clean the support before storing it after the final harvest.
Sub Arctic tomatoes at green, yellow-orange, and red stages hang among branching stems and broad leaves. A wooden stake runs behind the fruit, and pale twine provides support on the right. The close view includes both healthy green foliage and a few browned leaf edges around the overlapping clusters on the plant.

Bloom and dimensions

Its place,in your garden.

Mature height

Approximately 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in)

Flower color

Red

Foliage color

Green

Foliage type

Compound, divided foliage with an aroma when bruised; grown as an annual in your region

Growth rate

Vigorous during the warm season

Growth habit

Compact and sturdy

Bloom period

Yellow tomato flowers form in successive clusters during warm growth. Full sun, mild nights, and steady root-zone moisture support continued bud development on the compact, sturdy plant. Avoid saturating the soil or using excess nitrogen that promotes foliage at the expense of flower and fruit set. Keep light support in place as clusters develop, maintain airflow around the leaves, and inspect flowers after abrupt cold or heat.

Fruiting

After pollination, flowers quickly form small round red tomatoes with juicy flesh. First harvest generally begins around 55 days after transplanting. Look for uniform red colour, slight yielding, and a still-firm texture rather than relying on the calendar alone. Maintain consistent moisture, support loaded stems, and pick frequently. Bring developed fruit indoors before forecast frost because earliness does not provide frost tolerance.

Days to maturity

Approximately 50 to 60 days after transplanting

Harvest

Generally harvest around 55 days after transplanting once round to slightly flattened fruit is uniformly red and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Hold the cluster steady with one hand and remove tomatoes without pulling stems. Pick frequently to keep the plant tidy and enjoy summer production. Before frost, bring developed fruit indoors to finish ripening. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard fruit that is deeply split, mouldy, slimy, or abnormal-smelling.
Sub Arctic tomatoes at green, yellow-orange, and red stages hang among branching stems and broad leaves. A wooden stake runs behind the fruit, and pale twine provides support on the right. The close view includes both healthy green foliage and a few browned leaf edges around the overlapping clusters on the plant.

Garden associations

In goodcompany.

Companion plants

Sub Arctic can be used in an early tomato plan with cool-season crops scheduled to leave the bed as tomato growth develops. Lettuce or radishes in a separate nearby strip are easier to remove than densely interplanted companions around the stem. Keep the tomato's light and airflow unobstructed despite its compact growth. Low herbs can remain at the edge if sufficient space is available. Do not interpret an early cultivar as frost-proof; companion plants cannot replace waiting for suitable outdoor conditions or providing appropriate temporary protection.

Plants to avoid

Avoid waterlogged soil, overhead watering, crowding, and repeated rotations with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes.

Recipe idea

From the gardento your plate.

Edible parts

Ripe fruit
'Sub Arctic' tomato in the kitchen. Sub Arctic tomato sandwich — Rinse fully sound fruit under running water and cut it into slices. Layer it on bread with lettuce, basil, and a light spread. Season immediately before serving to preserve texture and keep the bread from becoming soggy. Juicy flesh particularly suits this simple preparation. Keep ingredients cold before assembly and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Do not eat tomato leaves or stems. Do not use fruit that is mouldy, slimy, deeply split, or abnormal-smelling. Wash the board, knife, utensils, and surfaces after preparation. For a packed meal, transport ingredients in a chilled container and add the tomato slices at the last moment. Use a clean serving utensil and keep prepared sandwiches away from direct sun until they are eaten. Serve the sandwich immediately. For a packed meal, transport ingredients in a refrigerated container and keep tomato slices separate from the bread until ready to eat so its texture remains pleasant.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions,answered.

When should Sub Arctic be sown and transplanted in your region?
Start 'Sub Arctic' indoors approximately six to eight weeks before the local average last frost. Sow about 0.5 cm deep at 21 to 27 °C and keep the mix evenly moist; emergence normally takes 7 to 14 days under suitable conditions. Move seedlings into intense light as soon as they appear, pot them on before roots crowd the cells, and harden them gradually. Transplant only after frost risk has passed, the soil is warm, and nights are sufficiently mild. Its compact 45 to 60 cm habit still benefits from light support before fruit develops. Record the transplant and first ripe-fruit dates so next season's schedule can be adjusted to the conditions at the garden rather than fixed calendar months.
Is Sub Arctic frost tolerant?
No. Sub Arctic is very early and suited to short seasons, but earliness does not make the plant or fruit frost tolerant. Transplant only after frost risk has passed and monitor forecasts late in the season. Properly secured frost cloth can offer temporary protection during a cool night; remove it by day to prevent overheating. When frost is forecast, bring developed fruit indoors to finish ripening. In containers, move the pot to a protected location when this can be done without damaging the plant. Never rely on a variety name as protection from freezing temperatures. If covering the plant, keep the fabric from pressing on stems and remove it once the cold event has passed. Fruit that has frozen or become water-soaked should not be kept for eating.
When should Sub Arctic tomatoes be harvested?
Generally harvest around 55 days after transplanting when small tomatoes are uniformly red, yield slightly to gentle pressure, and remain firm. The date remains approximate because heat and light affect ripening. Support fruit while picking and remove it without pulling stems. Clear ripe Sub Arctic fruit promptly, bring only sound developed tomatoes inside ahead of frost, and reject any with mould, slime, deep splits, or an abnormal odour. Sub Arctic's full red colour, firm but slight yield, and sound aroma should agree before the early calendar reference is treated as harvest-ready. Inspect the compact plant thoroughly because a short-season crop may ripen several fruit close together. Use the first sound, fully red tomato that tastes ready as a dated local reference. Support each branch while picking and clip stems that resist. Bring only developed, undamaged fruit indoors; cold-injured or water-soaked tomatoes should be discarded rather than mixed with the harvest.
What container should be used for Sub Arctic?
Yes. Select a roomy sturdy deep pot with several unobstructed drainage openings. Give Sub Arctic a loose vegetable potting mix with modest mature compost and a full-sun site that can be reached quickly when cold protection is needed. Install a short stake or small cage to support loaded stems. Check the compact plant's root zone daily in heat, irrigating slowly until drainage starts and applying fertilizer conservatively at the labelled rate. Rotate the container when light is uneven, keep drainage holes clear, and temporarily move the pot before forecast frost. No exact volume is confirmed here, so choose enough root space and weight for a stable compact tomato rather than relying on an arbitrary minimum. Make sure the fully watered pot can be moved under brief protection without pulling the support. After any move, reopen blocked drainage, check stems for abrasion, and return the plant to useful light.
Why does Sub Arctic suit short seasons?
Sub Arctic is a compact very early tomato whose harvest generally begins around 55 days after transplanting. This speed increases the opportunity to obtain ripe fruit before cold nights return. Start seed indoors, provide intense light, and harden plants carefully before moving them outside. Transplant only after the last frost into the sunniest available location. Maintain even moisture, pick red tomatoes promptly at maturity, and monitor late-season forecasts. Earliness provides no frost resistance, so bring developed fruit indoors before freezing weather and use frost cloth only as temporary protection. Treat Approximately 50 to 60 days after transplanting as a planning reference, not a frost guarantee. Record the actual transplant date, first ripe fruit, and cold-night response for 'Sub Arctic'; those observations are more useful for the next short season than moving plants outdoors before soil and nights are ready.

Wildlife and pets

Life,around your plants.

Supporting wildlife

Small yellow tomato flowers may be visited by bumblebees and other bees that vibrate the anthers and release pollen. Wind and movement of the plant also transfer pollen. Nearby low flowers can provide additional forage, but keep them from crowding the tomato root zone. Avoid insecticides on open blossoms and preserve airflow through the canopy.

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