A very productive, easy to grow micro-dwarf tomato. That comes with an interesting story.
First the backstory.
Northern Light tomato was donated to the Seed Savers Exchange (USA) by the Belgrade, Montana seed company, Fisher Seed and Nursery Company, better known as Fisher’s Seeds. Fisher’s Seeds was established in 1923 and in business until the 2010s. Ken Fisher ran his family’s company for decades and specialized in hardy, short-season, Zone 4 plants. He also developed a few of his own varieties and stewarded and selected others to deal with his harsh Montana weather. When we know Ken Fisher is involved with a variety, it’s one we want to try.
Plant Characteristics.
In Fisher’s 1981 catalogue, Northern Light is described as an early variety (55 days) with smooth bright red 2-inch fruits that is only 14-18 inches tall and perfect for pots and smaller spaces. In the 2020s, forty plus years later, that is exactly how we would describe Northern Light tomatoes. Plus we would add that this lovely compact tomato is very productive, and keeps producing right up until the first frost. Fruits range in size from 45 g to 95 g (1.5 oz to 3.5 oz). Furthermore, at the seedling stage, it is one of the hardiest tomatoes we have ever seen, which gives you a sense that this is going to be a good tomato.
A bit more information and an interesting twist.
Northern Light also intrigued us because we had come across a reference to a tomato called Northern Light in the 1894 J.M. Thorburn & Co. seed catalogue.
Northern Light was one of the new tomatoes Thorburn introduced in 1894 (the same year he introduced the famous Thorburn’s Terra-Cotta tomato, recently rediscovered by William Woy Weavers). Here is how Northern Light is described in Thorburn’s 1894 catalogue (see images):
The plant is very dwarf, with upright stem. The fruits are apple-shaped, of a brilliant carmine color, and contain very few seeds. The flesh is solid and fine-flavored. The habit of growth commends this variety no less than its excellent fruit.
Could Fisher’s Northern Light be Thorburn’s Northern Light? The descriptions do seem to match up. Is it possible that the Fisher family, whose seed business goes back to 1923, could have saved seed from Thorburn’s Northern Light and then offered it in their seed catalogue? Although, of course, we are merely speculating, it would be fun if this turned out to be the same tomato.
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How to Plant: Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost. Plant seed 5mm (¼ inch) deep. Transplant after the danger of frost has passed/later spring.
