Slicer Tomato
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Stupice is a cold-hardy tomato bred for northern gardens, capable of ripening fruit in just 50 to 59 days from transplant. This indeterminate vine grows 4 to 6 feet tall and produces abundant clusters of small, ruby-red oval fruits weighing 3 to 6 ounces each, ideal for salads and sandwiches. An heirloom open-pollinated variety, Stupice thrives in zones 3 through 10 and tolerates cool growing conditions that would stall other tomatoes, making it a triumph for gardeners in short-season climates.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-10
72in H x ?in W
Annual, Perennial
High
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Named from the Czech word 'stu-peach-ka,' Stupice earned its reputation as a favorite in northern gardens by setting fruit reliably when temperatures dip as low as 55°F. The firm, ruby-colored fruits arrive early and keep coming through the season, and the potato-leaf foliage gives this heirloom a distinctive appearance. Container-friendly and compact enough for raised beds despite its vining habit, Stupice delivers the sweet, juicy flavor of a ripe summer tomato without demanding long, hot growing seasons.
Stupice excels fresh in salads and sandwiches, where its firm texture and sweet flavor shine without cooking. The early ripening and prolific yield make it especially valued by gardeners in cool climates who want fresh tomatoes throughout the season rather than a single concentrated harvest.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Seeds germinate best between 70 and 90°F. Once seedlings develop true leaves, provide bright light and keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 55°F. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before planting in the garden. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart.
Pick fruit when it reaches full ruby-red color and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Stupice typically produces harvestable fruit 50 to 59 days after transplanting, though some sources report up to 65 days depending on growing conditions. For best flavor, harvest fully ripe fruit and do not refrigerate. If you must harvest green fruit, ripen it in a cool, dark area away from direct light, making sure fruits do not touch each other during storage.
As an indeterminate variety, Stupice will benefit from pruning suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to improve air circulation and direct energy into fruit production. Remove the lowest leaves once fruit sets to reduce disease pressure from soil splash. Prune suckers selectively rather than aggressively; this variety needs foliage to shade and protect developing fruit in cool climates.
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