Moonglow

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

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

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 13th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.