Tomato - Northern Lights

 
 

Common Name: Northern Lights Tomato

Latin Name: Solanum lycopersicum 'Northern Lights'

Brief Description: The Northern Lights Tomato is an eye-catching heirloom variety, known for its bi-coloured appearance with vibrant yellow and red hues blending through each fruit. These medium-sized tomatoes are typically round to slightly flattened and offer a sweet yet tangy flavour that's both refreshing and rich. The flesh is soft and juicy, making Northern Lights an excellent choice for fresh eating, salads, and gourmet dishes where visual appeal is as important as taste.

How to Plant: Choose a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. Plant your Northern Lights Tomato plants at the same depth they were in their containers, spacing them about 60-75 cm apart to ensure good air circulation and enough sunlight for healthy growth.

General Plant Care: Support the plants with stakes or cages as they can grow quite tall and produce heavy fruits. Consistent watering and regular feeding are essential to maintain healthy growth and optimize fruit production.

Lighting Requirements: Requires full sun, needing at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, to thrive and produce vibrant, flavourful fruits.

Water Requirements: Water deeply and regularly, maintaining even soil moisture, especially during dry spells.

Organic Feeding Suggestions: Feed with a high-potassium organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to encourage robust fruit development and overall plant health.

Tips, Hints or Tricks for a Successful Plant: Mulching can help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil temperatures stable. Regularly prune excess foliage to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration, which can help reduce the risk of disease and improve fruit quality.

Recipe or Use Suggestions: Northern Lights Tomatoes are perfect for adding a splash of colour and flavour to salads, sandwiches, and bruschetta. Their sweet and tangy taste also makes them ideal for making visually striking salsas and sauces.

Folklore: Tomatoes are often associated with passion and protection. The Northern Lights Tomato, with its unique and vibrant colouring, is sometimes viewed as a symbol of creativity and inspiration in the garden.
Spiritual Significance: This variety is often used in culinary practices to enhance the beauty and enjoyment of meals, promoting a joyful and enriching dining experience.

Wellness Benefits:

  • Rich in Nutrients: High in vitamins C and A, which are essential for immune support and skin health.

  • Antioxidant Properties: Contains antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and promote overall health.

  • Dietary Fibre: Provides dietary fibre, supporting digestive health and contributing to cardiovascular well-being.