Sister Nips Tomato

Sister Nips Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) - An exceptionally rare heirloom with Saskatchewan roots. These seeds were obtained by Allan of Cricket Corner in Kennedy, SK, from a vendor at a Seedy Saturday in Yorkton. Their origins trace back to the gardening program at École Notre Dame de Vertus in Zenon Park, SK, and are said to have come from a Sister’s family who maintained the convent garden in the 1970s. With no original description available, we were excited to trial this variety in 2022 and again in 2023. Sister Nips proved to be an early maturing tomato producing 2″ × 3″ ovoid, paste-shaped fruits with softly rounded bottoms. The orange-red fruits are borne on vigorous indeterminate vines. While the skin is thinner than a typical paste tomato, fruits contain relatively few seeds and have a pleasantly firm texture.

Plants are hardy and productive, though fruits can be prone to sunscald if left fully exposed—harvesting at the ¾ ripe stage is recommended. Flavour is rich and slightly tangy with classic old-world depth, reminiscent of Eastern European heirlooms such as Kalinka or Moskvich. An excellent choice for sauce, fresh eating, and slicing.

Indeterminate growth.

70-75 days to maturity from transplant.

20 seeds per packet.

Planting Instructions: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in warm soil. Transplant seedlings into 1‑inch cells or 3–4 inch pots at the 1–2 leaf stage. Harden off plants for 4–5 days once the risk of frost has passed. Transplant outdoors when day and night temperatures consistently stay above 10 °C. Provide support such as cages or stakes to keep plants tidy and accessible at harvest.