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Solanum lycopersicum
Italian Storage Tomato
  • Grown as an annual
  • Full Sun
  • Germination Tested November 17, 2025: 86%
    Regular price $5.50 CAD
    Regular price Sale price $5.50 CAD
    Sale Sold out

    Traditional "winter tomato" from Italy. No more tasteless, soulless grocery store tomatoes in winter. Bring fruit or whole trellis inside when tomatoes show a little colour and they will ripen over several months. Small to medium-sized fruit have pointed ends and good balanced classic tomato flavour. Indeterminate. Can be started a bit later than other tomatoes because you're not in a rush to produce fully ripe fruit. Storage is improved with reduced irrigation.

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    Seeds are grown by our friends Skye and Maple at Tardigrade Seeds on Salt Spring Island, BC. 

    Tardigrade Seeds: Solutions for Dry Conditions.

    Climate change makes farming and gardening a struggle. Tardigrade Seeds specializes in heat and drought-adapted varieties of favorite vegetables and unique international crops. We offer artisanal, natural seeds for changing times. Grown with hope on our Salt Spring Island farm. Start using less water and having more success - Grow Tardigrade Seeds!

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    Growing: Transplant. If you can provide enough heat and light, tomatoes can be started up to 8 weeks before intended transplant date. Sow seeds into individual pots or cells 1/2" deep, or start larger amounts in flats. Use bottom heat for germination. Move seedlings into larger pots once roots are peeking out the bottom. Transplant 1-3' apart, once nighttime low temperatures are at least 10° C — ideally higher. Harden off before putting out.

    Growing tips: This tomato produces long trellises of fruit, which should be kept off the ground. Remove flowers until the plants are 2' tall. Keep upright using tomato cages or trellis using twine. Prune to single or double-headed leader.


    Dry growing (growing without watering or minimal watering):

    This is traditionally a dry-grown variety. There are a variety of techniques used to grow tomatoes with reduced or no irrigation. First, some professional growers believe that transplanting tomatoes at a younger age (smaller size) ensures they keep growing vigorously after transplant. This has been my experience,
    and I prefer to transplant once the plants have two small true leaves, smaller than most people transplant. I want the tomato's root system to spread as wide as possible; plants confined to a small pot have their root spread curtailed, in my opinion. Tomato transplants can also be planted deeply; they form additional roots along the stem. Space plants more widely if dry growing. Note that blossom end rot is more common in dry-grown tomatoes.
    If you are unfamiliar with blossom end rot, learn to identify it and remove tomatoes exhibiting it; they won't mature.

    Growing Instructions

    Growing: Transplant. If you can provide enough heat and light, tomatoes can be started up to 8 weeks before intended transplant date. Sow seeds into individual pots or cells 1/2" deep, or start larger amounts in flats. Use bottom heat for germination. Move seedlings into larger pots once roots are peeking out the bottom. Transplant 1-3' apart, once nighttime low temperatures are at least 10° C — ideally higher. Harden off before putting out.


    Growing tips: This tomato produces long trellises of fruit, which should be kept off the ground. Remove flowers until the plants are 2' tall. Keep upright using tomato cages or trellis using twine. Prune to single or double-headed leader.

    
Dry growing (growing without watering or minimal watering):
    This is traditionally a dry-grown variety. There are a variety of techniques used to grow tomatoes with reduced or no irrigation. First, some professional growers believe that transplanting tomatoes at a younger age (smaller size) ensures they keep growing vigorously after transplant. This has been my experience,
and I prefer to transplant once the plants have two small true leaves, smaller than most people transplant. I want the tomato's root system to spread as wide as possible; plants confined to a small pot have their root spread curtailed, in my opinion. Tomato transplants can also be planted deeply; they form additional roots along the stem. Space plants more widely if dry growing. Note that blossom end rot is more common in dry-grown tomatoes.
If you are unfamiliar with blossom end rot, learn to identify it and remove tomatoes exhibiting it; they won't mature.

    Shipping & Returns

    By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.

    Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.

     

    Shipping within Canada 

    We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight.

    We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.

    Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.

    Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.

     

    Shipping to the US

    We require all US shoppers to obtain a Small Seed Lot Import Permit before we can mail your seeds. It's free to apply, and you will likely be granted the permit instantly,  although some require additional verification via mail.

    We recommend obtaining a permit BEFORE placing your order.

    Please email your permit and shipping label PDFs to us promptly before or after you order.

    If you do not email us your permit documents after one week, we will refund your order minus a $10 processing charge.

    How to apply for your Small Seed Lot Import Permit:

    1. Please follow these instructions carefully so you don't end up with the wrong type of permit!
    2. Go to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
    3. Select PPQ-587 in the dropdown menu and click "Get Started".
    4. Please use the exact same name and address as on your order.
    5. Login and follow the instructions to obtain a permit.
    6. Under the Commodity Type drop down, make sure you select the "Small Lots of Seed". See screenshot below.
    7. It's best to list "Eligible Taxa" instead of listing all the species you'd like to import so you don't need to worry about missing any species you ordered.
    8. Once you receive your permit, promptly email us 2 PDFs: a copy of your permit and a copy of the yellow/green shipping labels. Tell us which USDA station you want us to send the seeds to. If not mentioned we will choose one close to you. Our email is grow@cicadaseeds.ca
    9. Once we've accepted your documents, please contact the plant inspection station we are shipping to and let them know to expect your shipment. Station phone numbers can be found here (select "United States" then "Plant Inspection Stations" in the top 2 fields, then click "Search"). This reminds stations to check for your package, otherwise they may forget about it.

    Need help? Contact the APHIS plant permit team at:

    EMAIL: plantproducts.permits@usda.gov

    PHONE: 877-770-5990

     

    What happens next?

    After receiving your documentation, we will mail your seeds to an inspection facility in the US. We will ship via tracked parcel, and you will receive the tracking number when your order has shipped. Orders will be mailed first to a plant inspection facility in the US, then they forward the package on to your address after inspection. Tracking is only available to the inspection facility, not to your address.

    The mail and inspection process can take several weeks, depending on how long the inspection takes. Unfortunately we are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order. 

     

    Shipping Internationally

    International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

    International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

    This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts.

    Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option. 

     

    Refund Policy

    Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable.

    Cancelled orders: If you wish to cancel an order after purchasing, we may refund your order minus card processing and admin fees at our discretion.

    Refused orders: We cannot issue a refund if you refuse to accept an order we've sent to you.

    Incorrect addresses: Please double check your mailing address, and let us know ASAP if you've entered an incorrect address at checkout. We may need to charge for additional shipping fees to resend orders.

    Ecologically Grown

    Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

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