Summer Sunrise Tomato Seeds

Patrina Nuske of New South Wales met Craig LeHoullier of North Carolina through an online seed exchange. They traded seeds, skills, and discovered a shared interest in tomato breeding that eventually became a cross-hemispheric breeding group called The Dwarf Tomato Project. With two teams, one in each hemisphere, they were able to halve the time required for tomato breeding and focused their efforts on creating small plants with big flavor. Summer Sunrise is one of their best. We received this variety as a gift from Seed Savers Exchange member Bill Minkey in 2013 out of a desire to see it in wider circulation, and we wholeheartedly agree.

This potato-leaf dwarf variety yields big quantities of medium-sized pale yellow fruits with a pink starburst. The excitement doesn't stop there, though the flavor is incredible: tart, sweet, and full. A great option for those with limited growing space or for container gardening.

Growing Instructions: Dwarf habit. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before planting date, which is ideally at your last spring frost date or up to 3 weeks later. For best germination, keep at a constant 80 degrees during germination period. Keep in full sun after germination, and make sure sure not to over water. As seedlings grow, be sure they have plenty of room for their roots. Transplant after all threat of frost has passed, when seedlings are no smaller than 5". Transplant into containers—1 plant per 5 gallon pot—or directly in the ground, about 18" apart. Water at the roots to prevent fungal spreading on the leaves. Provide light staking to help support plants at fruit set. For best production in containers, transplant 1 plant per 5 gallon container in fresh, nutrient-rich soil. Give an extra nutrient boost at flowering to help plants stay vigorous.