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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Compact very early determinate tomato
Solanaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Sub Arctic’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sub Arctic’)
Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sub Arctic’
Compact determinate very early organic tomato with small round red juicy fruit for short-summer regions.
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
Solanum lycopersicum
Cultivar
Sub Arctic
Type
Compact very early determinate tomato
Cycle
Warm-season annual
Organic ‘Sub Arctic’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Sub Arctic’) is a compact very early determinate organic variety selected to produce in short-summer regions. Its sturdy plant quickly forms small round red juicy tomatoes for fresh salads snacks and sandwiches. Sources for Sub-Arctic selections generally place maturity 50–60 days after transplanting. Early maturity improves the chance of harvest before autumn but does not make plants or fruit frost tolerant.
Sow indoors six to eight weeks before last frost approximately 0.5 cm deep. Keep the mix consistently warm and moist without saturation. Provide intense light immediately after emergence, pot up after true leaves, and harden gradually. After all frost risk transplant in full sun into fertile organic-rich well-drained soil. The compact determinate habit suits small gardens and containers, although a small cage keeps loaded stems clean and supported.
Water deeply at soil level when the surface begins to dry and maintain even moisture through fruit set and sizing. Mulch after soil warms and avoid excess nitrogen. Harvest when fruit is uniformly red, slightly yielding, yet firm. Pick as tomatoes ripen and bring developed fruit indoors before forecast frost. Protect plants temporarily during cold nights but assume no frost tolerance. Discard mouldy slimy deeply split 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 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 Sub Arctic 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 large deep container. Install a cage or stake, water at soil level, and mulch. Harvest frequently approximately 75 days after transplanting once small 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 large deep container. Install a cage or stake to support loaded stems without assigning an unconfirmed growth type. In summer water deeply at soil level, check container moisture often, mulch, and feed moderately. Harvest red fruit frequently. Before frost pick developed fruit, remove plants, and clean containers.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Choose a large stable deep container with several drainage holes; no exact dimension is confirmed for the Biologiquement vôtre seed lot. Fill with airy compost-enriched vegetable potting mix and place in full sun. Sub Arctic’s compact determinate habit suits containers; a small cage keeps loaded stems off the soil. Water slowly when the surface begins to dry without standing water. Mulch lightly, feed moderately, and check moisture daily during hot weather. Move or protect the pot before any frost.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Red
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 red flowers in successive clusters through the warm season
Fruiting
Small round red tomatoes produced very early on a compact plant
Harvest
Harvest generally 50–60 days after transplanting when small fruit is uniformly red, yields slightly to gentle pressure, and remains firm. Support each tomato and detach it without pulling the stem. Pick regularly during the compact production period and bring developed fruit indoors before forecast frost. Sub Arctic’s earliness does not make the plant frost tolerant. Do not eat leaves or stems and discard mouldy slimy deeply split 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 snacks appetizers lunch boxes garnishes and fresh eating
From the garden to inspiration.
Sub Arctic tomato sandwich — Rinse sound fruit, slice, and layer on bread with lettuce and basil. Season immediately before serving to maintain texture. 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.
Generally harvest around 75 to 85 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. The workbook indicates culture in a large deep container without confirming exact dimensions. Use a stable pot with several drainage holes and airy compost-enriched mix. Place in full sun, install a cage or stake for loaded stems, check moisture daily during hot weather, water until it drains without standing water, and feed moderately according to label directions.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
