Moonglow

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Moonglow to a garden.

Sink your spoon into Moonglow’s sunlit charm: a smooth, glossy slicing tomato with a warm, mellow sweetness and a bright, juicy snap.

At maturity it forms handsome, medium-large fruits with a balanced, meaty texture—ideal for showcasing in fresh salads, layered on sandwiches, and turning into velvety sauces that shine with garden-fresh flavor. Grow Moonglow for a steady harvest rhythm and that unmistakable “just-picked” richness in every slice.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Moonglow 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 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	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	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Moonglow is built for the spoon-and-slice crowd: its meaty interior holds shape, while the juice brings a crisp, freshly cut bite to salads and sandwiches. Use it for warm reductions and glossy sauces—this variety’s sweet-meets-bright balance turns simple salt, oil, and acid into something you’ll want to eat straight from the bowl.

Best Uses

thick slice sandwiches where it stays juicy without turning the bread to mush
fresh salads that can handle heavier dressings (vinaigrettes, creamy mayo sauces)
quick pan-sear or roast for caramelized edges while keeping a juicy interior
velvety stovetop sauce where its balance yields a smooth, spoonable texture

Flavor Profile

warm, mellow sweetness bright juicy snap meaty, sliceable texture clean, glossy finish

Kitchen Pairings

black pepper balsamic vinegar garlic olive oil fresh mozzarella salt-cured anchovy

Frequently Asked Questions

My Solanum lycopersicum (tomato ‘Moonglow’) leaves are developing yellowing spots and the lower foliage is dying—what disease is this likely, and what should I do?

This pattern is often early blight or Septoria leaf spot (both common on Solanum lycopersicum). Remove and discard affected lower leaves, avoid wetting foliage when watering, and improve airflow with wider spacing and pruning of lower growth. Treat early with a labeled fungicide for tomatoes and repeat according to the product label, especially during humid periods.

How often should I water ‘Moonglow’ tomatoes during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

Water deeply enough to soak the root zone, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, and more often during hot weather (check the soil moisture daily). Aim for consistently moist soil—about the top 1–2 inches should dry slightly between waterings, but not fully dry out. Irregular watering can trigger blossom-end rot, so use mulch to steady moisture.

How can I tell when ‘Moonglow’ tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruits have fully developed their mature color (for most ‘Moonglow’ types, a uniform red) and feel firm but not hard. Check for a slight give when you gently squeeze; if they’re still pale or mostly green, leave them on the plant until they color evenly. Pick regularly once they start ripening to keep the plant producing through the 85-day season.