25 Fastest Growing Tomato Varieties for Short Seasons: Top Pick
Table of Contents
Introduction
Did you know that 68% of home gardeners abandon growing tomatoes because they believe their growing season is too short? This common misconception keeps many from experiencing the joy of harvesting homegrown tomatoes. Whether you’re gardening in Zone 3 or simply want to maximize your harvest before fall frosts arrive, selecting the right fast-growing tomato varieties can make all the difference. With the right 25 fastest growing tomato varieties for short seasons, you can enjoy abundant harvests even in regions with growing seasons as brief as 70 days.
Early Season Champions (45-55 Days)
1. Stupice
This Czech heirloom produces 2-3 inch red fruits in just 45-55 days. Cold-tolerant and disease-resistant, Stupice delivers exceptional sweet-tart flavor despite its quick growing cycle.
2. Sungold
Perhaps the most beloved cherry tomato, Sungold matures in 55-65 days with tangerine-orange fruits that contain 40% more vitamin A than red varieties. Their candy-like sweetness makes them perfect for snacking.
3. Early Girl
A classic hybrid that reliably produces 4-6 ounce fruits in 50-60 days. Early Girl’s disease resistance and adaptability to various climates make it a dependable choice for short-season gardens.
4. Sub-Arctic Plenty
Developed specifically for northern climates, this variety matures in just 45-50 days, making it one of the absolute fastest. The 2-3 inch fruits offer balanced flavor despite the accelerated growing period.
5. Fourth of July
True to its name, this hybrid can produce ripe tomatoes by Independence Day in many regions. At 49 days to maturity, its golf ball-sized fruits deliver surprisingly robust flavor.
Mid-Season Speedsters (55-65 Days)
6. Manitoba
Developed at the University of Manitoba for cold Canadian prairies, this 55-60 day variety produces medium-sized fruits with excellent resistance to early blight.
7. Siletz
This determinate, parthenocarpic variety sets fruit even in cool conditions. At 52-55 days to maturity, its 4-5 inch fruits are perfect for gardeners in maritime or mountain climates.
8. Oregon Spring
Bred at Oregon State University to thrive in cool conditions, this variety matures in 60 days without requiring pollination, making it ideal for challenging weather.
9. Glacier
At just 55 days to maturity, this ultra-early variety produces 2-inch red fruits with a rich, complex flavor uncommon in such early tomatoes. Exceptionally cold-tolerant.
10. Moskvich
This Russian heirloom matures in 60 days while delivering the rich flavor profile typically found only in longer-season varieties. Its crack resistance makes it perfect for inconsistent rainfall patterns.
Container-Friendly Quick Growers
11. Tiny Tim
Perfect for pots at just 12-18 inches tall, Tiny Tim produces cherry tomatoes in 45-55 days, making it ideal for patios and small spaces in northern climates.
12. Minibel
This dwarf variety grows just 10-12 inches tall but produces abundant cherry tomatoes in 55-65 days, perfect for windowsills or small balconies in areas with short summers.
13. Tumbler
Specially bred for hanging baskets, Tumbler cascades with cherry tomatoes in just 49-55 days. Each plant can produce up to 6 pounds of fruit despite its compact size.
14. Red Robin
At only 8-12 inches tall, this micro-dwarf produces sweet cherry tomatoes in 55 days, making it perfect for indoor growing in areas with extremely short outdoor seasons.
15. Patio Choice Yellow
This 2018 AAS winner matures in 45-50 days on compact 18-inch plants, producing sweet golden cherry tomatoes perfect for containers in limited-space gardens.
Paste Tomato Speed Champions
16. Bellstar
This determinate saladette/paste hybrid matures in just 65 days, offering meaty, low-moisture fruits ideal for processing in northern regions where most paste varieties won’t ripen.
17. Juliet
Though technically a grape tomato, Juliet’s meaty texture and low moisture content make it excellent for quick sauces. At 60 days to maturity, it’s one of the earliest processing options.
18. Sunrise Sauce
A breakthrough in early sauce tomatoes, this variety produces orange, low-acid fruits perfect for golden sauces in just 57-60 days—nearly two weeks earlier than most paste varieties.
19. Plum Regal
This disease-resistant paste tomato matures in 60-65 days, offering commercially-bred disease resistance uncommon in quick-growing processing varieties.
20. Margherita
Reaching maturity in 62 days, this determinate Roma-type produces fruits with high solids content ideal for sauces and canning, extending the harvest into shelf-stable products.
Large-Fruited Early Varieties
21. New Girl
Consider this the upgraded Early Girl, producing larger 4-7 ounce fruits with improved flavor while still maturing in just 62 days.
22. Sunrise Bumble Bee
These stunning pink and orange striped 1.5-inch fruits mature in just 55 days, offering ornamental beauty alongside sweet, complex flavor uncommon in early varieties.
23. Northern Delight
Developed in North Dakota for extreme northern gardens, this variety produces 2-inch fruits in clusters ripening just 60-65 days from transplant.
24. Black Sea Man
For short-season gardeners seeking complex heirloom flavor, this Russian variety delivers mahogany-colored, richly flavored fruits in just 65 days when most dark varieties require 80+ days.
25. Moravsky Div
This Czech heirloom offers potato-leaf foliage and abundant 2-3 inch fruits with balanced sweet-acid profiles in just 55-60 days—an early season flavor powerhouse.
Growing Tips for Short-Season Success
Maximize your success with these fastest growing tomato varieties by:
- Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
- Utilizing wall-o-water or similar season extenders for early planting
- Choosing determinate varieties that ripen their crop all at once
- Pruning indeterminate varieties to focus energy on existing fruit
- Using black plastic mulch to warm soil temperatures
- Protecting from early fall frosts with covers
Conclusion
With these 25 fastest growing tomato varieties for short seasons, gardeners in even the most challenging northern climates can enjoy successful harvests. From container-friendly dwarfs to sauce-worthy paste varieties, there’s a quick-ripening option for every garden style and culinary need. The key is selecting varieties bred specifically for rapid maturity without sacrificing flavor or production.
What tomato growing challenges have you faced in your short-season garden? Share your experiences in the comments below, and don’t forget to bookmark this guide for your next seed-ordering session!
FAQs
Q: Can I grow these fast-maturing tomatoes from seed directly in the garden?
A: While possible in some zones, you’ll have much greater success starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, especially in truly short-season areas (Zones 2-4).
Q: Do fast-growing tomato varieties sacrifice flavor for speed?
A: Some do, but many modern varieties like Sungold and Stupice offer outstanding flavor despite their quick maturation. The varieties on this list were selected for both speed and taste quality.
Q: Which variety is best for container growing in a short-season area?
A: Tumbler, Tiny Tim, and Patio Choice Yellow offer the best combination of compact growth, quick maturation, and productive yield for container gardeners in northern regions.
Q: Can determinate varieties like Siletz provide season-long harvests?
A: Determinate varieties produce their crop all at once, which is actually advantageous in short seasons. For extended harvests, plant a succession of determinate varieties or mix with a few indeterminate types.
Q: Are these varieties resistant to common tomato diseases?
A: Disease resistance varies. Early Girl, Plum Regal, and Sunrise Sauce offer good disease packages, while heirlooms like Stupice and Glacier may be more susceptible but mature before diseases typically become problematic.
