How to Grow Elizabeth Tomato
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Elizabeth Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Elizabeth'
vegetableElizabeth is a cold-hardy, early-maturing heirloom tomato variety prized for its ability to set fruit in cool conditions and produce flavorful, medium-sized red fruits. This indeterminate variety was developed in Siberia and is known for its robust growth and disease resistance. It's an excellent choice for gardeners in northern climates or those seeking to extend the growing season.
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Example Elizabeth Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Elizabeth Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Elizabeth Tomato
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Elizabeth Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; exceptional in zones 2-5 for cold tolerance
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) followed by first true leaves; tender and requiring protection
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 12-16 hours of grow light daily; maintain 65-75°F; thin overcrowded seedlings
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingRapid stem and leaf development; plant becomes sturdy with multiple side shoots and deep green foliage
Harden off seedlings before transplanting; support with stakes or cages early; remove lower leaves as plant grows; maintain consistent watering
Flowering
3-4 weeks (continuous for indeterminate varieties)Small yellow flowers appear in clusters (determinate growth pattern); flowers are self-fertile and set easily even in cooler temperatures
Maintain even moisture to prevent blossom end rot; apply calcium-rich amendments if needed; Elizabeth excels here in cool spring/fall conditions
Fruiting
4-6 weeks from flower to ripe fruitMarble-sized green fruits develop and gradually enlarge; fruits turn from green to breaker stage to full red ripeness
Support heavy fruit loads with sturdy stakes; prune suckers to focus energy on fruit production; consistent watering critical; side-dress with balanced fertilizer
Harvest
6-10 weeks of continuous harvest until frostMedium-sized (4-6 oz), deep red, round fruits at peak sweetness and flavor; continue producing until frost
Pick at 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) for continuous ripening or fully red for immediate use; prune plant in late summer to direct energy to final fruits
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray if infestation is severe
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray insecticidal soap; release parasitic wasps (Encarsia formosa)
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Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splashing; apply copper fungicide if needed
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Space plants for airflow; water at soil level only; remove infected foliage; apply copper or sulfur fungicide; Elizabeth's cold tolerance provides some resistance
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Spray water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryElizabeth tomatoes offer excellent flavor with good balance of sweetness and acidity, making them ideal for fresh eating, slicing for salads, and sandwiches. The medium size (4-6 oz) is perfect for single servings. [source]
Sauce and preserving
CulinaryWith reliable flavor and good pectin content, Elizabeth tomatoes can be made into sauce, paste, salsa, and canned products. Their cold-hardy nature means late-season harvests often have concentrated flavor. [source]
Nutritional and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Elizabeth provides lycopene, vitamins C and K, and potassium. The heirloom variety is valued for potentially higher polyphenol content than modern hybrids. [source]
Cold-climate gardening
HouseholdElizabeth's exceptional cold tolerance (sets fruit in cool springs and falls) makes it invaluable for northern gardeners and extends the tomato season beyond typical hybrids. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an open-pollinated heirloom, Elizabeth is ideal for seed saving. Collect seeds from fully ripe fruits, ferment, dry, and store for future seasons while maintaining variety purity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when fruits show the first blush of red color ('breaker stage'); this allows plant to continue producing. Elizabeth fruits ripen reliably even in cool conditions, making it excellent for extending harvest into fall. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. For longest storage, harvest before frost and allow to ripen indoors at room temperature.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Elizabeth was developed in Siberia and named to honor Queen Elizabeth II; its exceptional cold-hardiness comes from cold-climate breeding.
- 🌱 This variety can set fruit at temperatures as low as 55°F, while most tomato varieties struggle below 60°F, making it the go-to choice for gardeners trying to beat early/late frosts.
- 🌱 Elizabeth is a true indeterminate variety that produces continuously until frost, with reported yields of 2-4 pounds of fruit per plant over a full season in temperate climates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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