The Green Zebra tomato is a magnificent heirloom variety renowned for its medium-sized fruits, adorned with vibrant green stripes on a golden-green background. It is particularly appreciated for its unique flavor, both sweet and slightly tangy, proving that green tomatoes can also be sweet. It is very productive and yields uniform fruits that are resistant to cracking and can continue to ripen after harvest.

This semi-determinate variety is well-suited for small gardens and container growing, while still offering good yields.

Where to grow Green Zebra tomatoes

The Green Zebra tomato thrives in zones 3 to 9. It prefers full sun exposure and fertile, well-drained soil. It is particularly well-suited for raised beds, containers, and greenhouses.

History and Traditional Uses

Developed in the 1980s by breeder Tom Wagner, the Green Zebra quickly became a very popular heirloom variety thanks to its distinctive color, unique flavor, and excellent garden performance. It is now highly prized by chefs and gardeners, both for fresh consumption and for culinary creations.

Growing information according to Canadian zones

Zones 8 to 9: Sow indoors early in the season. Transplant after all risk of frost has passed. Harvest from mid-summer until late autumn.
Zones 5 to 7: Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant when the soil warms up. Harvest in late summer.
Zones 3 to 4: Greenhouse or container cultivation recommended. Sow indoors early for best results.

How to grow and harvest Green Zebra tomatoes

Planting

Sow seeds 6 mm (¼ in.) deep indoors. Transplant seedlings 60 cm (24 in.) apart after the last frost.

Watering
Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during fruit development.

Support
Install stakes or cages to support the plants and their heavy fruit load.

Harvesting
Harvest fruits when they are slightly soft and show their characteristic striped golden-green color.

Ripening
Tomatoes continue to ripen after harvest and become sweeter off the vine.

Tips for seed saving

Fruit selection
Choose fully ripe fruits from healthy plants with desirable characteristics.

Seed extraction
Remove the seeds and place them in water to ferment for 2 to 3 days to remove the gel coating.

Cleaning and drying
Rinse the seeds thoroughly, then dry them completely on a paper towel or sieve.

Storage
Store dry seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. They remain viable for up to 5 years.

Certified organic by
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)