Jet Star

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your senses into Jet Star’s glossy, deep-red fruits—smooth as polished lacquer and richly aromatic at first touch.

As a slicing tomato, it delivers a firm, meaty bite with balanced sweetness and bright, tangy lift, ideal for showcasing in bold, fresh-forward presentations. Grow Jet Star for dependable midseason harvests and a striking, garden-to-plate presence that’s as satisfying to grow as it is to savor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Determinate

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Jet Star’s firm, meaty slice holds its shape under a hot pan or on a loaded sandwich—no watery slide, just a steady tomato bite. Use it when you want bright tang and real tomato perfume to stay up front, not smoothed into oblivion by overcooking.

Best Uses

thick slices on crusty bread where the firm flesh won’t collapse
high-heat blistering or quick pan-sear for jammy edges
fresh tomato salad with minimal dressing to keep the tang crisp
rapid marinara—cook just until glossy, not long and flat

Flavor Profile

balanced sweetness with bright tang meaty, firm slicing flesh and low seed jelly polished, aromatic tomato-forward bite clean, quick finish that doesn’t turn dull

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil red onion balsamic vinegar mozzarella black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and how do I prevent it?

Watch for early blight (Alternaria) on tomato leaves—look for dark, target-like spots that spread from older leaves upward. Remove infected leaves early, water at the soil line (not on foliage), and space plants for airflow; a preventive spray with a copper-based fungicide is most effective when symptoms first appear. If you’ve had repeated outbreaks, rotate tomatoes out of that bed for 2–3 years to break the disease cycle.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set, keep soil evenly moist with about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat—don’t let the root zone swing from dry to waterlogged. Water deeply 1–3 times weekly depending on weather, targeting the soil around the plant rather than wetting leaves. Mulch around the base to reduce evaporation and help prevent cracking from irregular moisture.

How do I tell when Jet Star tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety and feel slightly soft at the blossom end but still firm overall. Green should no longer be prominent, and the fruit should detach easily with a gentle twist. For best flavor, pick every few days once they start ripening so remaining fruit doesn’t overstay on the vine.