VegetableTomato
Red Siberian Tomato
Red Siberian Tomato is an heirloom determinate slicing tomato bred to thrive where most tomatoes fail, originating from the challenging climates of Siberia. Hardy across zones 2 through 11, this open-pollinated variety matures in just 60 to 69 days from transplant and produces abundant yields of classic red slicing tomatoes weighing 2 to 4 ounces each. Standing 36 to 48 inches tall, it's a compact, compact plant suited to containers, raised beds, and garden plots, making it an exceptional choice for gardeners battling short seasons and cool springs across North America.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
48 in
Height
TypeDeterminate
Spacing
24
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
48in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
This is a tomato bred for cold climates, not coddled in warm greenhouses. Red Siberian produces full harvests in 60 to 69 days, reaching maturity faster than many heirloom varieties while delivering 2 to 4 ounce fruits with classic red color and slicing quality. Its determinate growth habit keeps plants to 36 to 48 inches tall, a manageable size that works equally well in containers or garden soil, and its Siberian heritage means it shrugs off late frosts and cool springs that derail other tomatoes.
Common Uses
Red Siberian serves as a straightforward slicing tomato for fresh eating, salads, and sandwiches. The 2 to 4 ounce fruits are sized perfectly for single servings or garnishes, and the determinate growth habit produces concentrated harvests ideal for small-scale cooking, preserving, or sharing with neighbors.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost, sowing at a depth of 1/4 inch in warm soil (70 to 75°F). Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provide strong light once seedlings emerge to prevent leggy growth.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after your last spring frost has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 60°F, ideally 65 to 70°F. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space plants 24 inches apart, with 36 inches between rows, setting them slightly deeper than they grew indoors to encourage stronger root development.
Harvesting
Harvest tomatoes when they reach full red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure, typically 60 to 69 days after transplanting. Pick fruits individually by gently twisting and pulling, or use a small knife to cut the stem. Because Red Siberian is determinate, much of the crop will ripen within a concentrated 2 to 3 week window, so check plants every 2 to 3 days during peak season to catch fruits at their peak flavor.
Pruning
As a determinate variety, Red Siberian naturally sets all its fruit within a concentrated window and doesn't require the aggressive pruning demanded by indeterminate types. Remove only lower leaves that touch soil or show signs of disease to improve airflow and reduce fungal pressure. Avoid excessive sucker removal, which can expose fruit to sunscald in very hot climates.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Growth Habit
Determinate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Red Siberian Tomato carries the genetic legacy of Siberia's unforgiving growing conditions, where tomatoes had to adapt to short seasons, unexpected frosts, and unpredictable spring weather. This heirloom was preserved and selected over generations by gardeners who needed reliable harvests in cold climates, passing seeds forward as a practical solution to the challenge of growing tomatoes in regions most seed catalogs ignore. Its survival as an open-pollinated variety reflects the determination of northern gardeners to maintain their own reliable food sources.”