Ace 55

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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Sink your senses into Ace 55’s rich, meaty fragrance and its deep, sun-warmed color—an exceptionally satisfying beefsteak that delivers bold, tomato-forward flavor with a dense, juicy bite.

The flesh stays pleasantly firm and substantial, making it ideal for thick, concentrated results in sauces and pastes, while its classic tomato character shines in fresh slices and hearty salads. Grow Ace 55 for a garden-to-table centerpiece that rewards with dependable performance and a truly “tomato” taste at peak ripeness.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Determinate

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Ace 55 Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ace 55 is a beefsteak that tastes like actual tomatoes—dense and substantial, so it concentrates cleanly without turning grainy or thin. Use it when you want slices that hold together or a sauce/paste that stays thick and spoon-coats, not watery.

Best Uses

thick slices on sturdy bread—won’t collapse into watery sadness
slow-cooked paste-style sauces that need concentration and a firmer yield
hearty salads where tomato stays firm under dressing
roasting for jammy, sun-warmed caramel notes

Flavor Profile

bold, tomato-forward sweetness meaty, dense flesh with a juicy bite classic tomato tang that keeps its backbone

Kitchen Pairings

garlic red onion olive oil balsamic vinegar Parmigiano-Reggiano white beans

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage early blight or septoria leaf spot on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) 'Ace 55'?

Early blight and septoria leaf spot show up as dark spots on older leaves, often moving upward as humidity rises. Remove and discard infected lower leaves, avoid overhead watering, and water at the soil line so foliage stays dry. If spots keep spreading, spray according to the label with a tomato-safe fungicide (e.g., chlorothalonil or copper-based products) beginning at first symptoms and repeating as directed.

How often should I water 'Ace 55' tomato during peak growth to prevent blossom-end rot and cracking?

During the main growth and fruit-set phase, keep soil consistently moist with about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week, increasing during hot spells. Water deeply so moisture reaches several inches down, then let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again—this steady pattern helps prevent blossom-end rot. Mulch around the plants to reduce swings in soil moisture that lead to fruit cracking.

When is 'Ace 55' tomato ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and the skin turns its mature color, typically starting around 70–85 days after sowing/planting depending on conditions. Pick when the fruit is firm but gives slightly to gentle pressure, and stop harvesting only when the plant is finished producing or gets hit hard by disease. For best flavor, harvest in the cool part of the day and let any slightly underripe fruit finish coloring indoors.