Mountain Pride
Solanum lycopersicum 'Mountain Pride'
A reliable determinate variety specifically bred for cooler climates and shorter growing seasons, making it perfect for northern gardeners and high-altitude areas. This compact plant produces firm, meaty red tomatoes with excellent flavor and outstanding disease resistance. Developed by North Carolina State University, it's become a favorite for gardeners who need dependable harvests in challenging conditions.
Harvest
75-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–9
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Mountain Pride in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Mountain Pride · Zones 10–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store fully ripe Mountain Pride tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for best flavor, then refrigerate for up to one week. Never refrigerate unripe fruits as cold stops the ripening process permanently.
This variety's meaty flesh and low moisture content make it exceptional for sauce-making and canning. The firm texture holds up well to hot water bath canning when following tested recipes. For freezing, core and quarter the fruits, then freeze on trays before bagging — no need to blanch.
Mountain Pride also dehydrates beautifully due to its dense flesh. Slice ¼ inch thick and dehydrate at 135°F until leathery. The balanced acidity makes it suitable for fermented salsas and hot sauces.
History & Origin
Mountain Pride was developed by North Carolina State University's horticultural program in the 1970s as part of their efforts to create reliable tomato varieties for challenging growing conditions. Dr. Randy Gardner and his team specifically bred this variety to perform in cooler climates and shorter seasons where traditional tomatoes struggle.
The variety was released to address the needs of gardeners in mountain regions and northern states who previously had limited options for dependable tomato harvests. Its name reflects both its mountain heritage and the pride researchers took in creating a variety that could thrive where others failed.
Mountain Pride represents the success of university breeding programs focused on regional adaptation rather than commercial shipping qualities. It gained popularity through extension service recommendations and word-of-mouth among gardeners who appreciated its reliability in adverse conditions.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes and aphids with natural compounds
Carrots
Breaks up soil for tomato roots, doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may deter hornworms
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and shade, maximizes space usage
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunting
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to fusarium wilt races 1 and 2, verticillium wilt, and tobacco mosaic virus (VFN)
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, flea beetles, cutworms
Diseases
Late blight, bacterial speck, blossom end rot