Opalka

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sun-warmed and richly aromatic, Opalka paste tomatoes ripen to a deep, classic red with a firm, meaty interior that feels almost sculpted in the hand.

Expect a dense, low-gel core and a smooth, satin skin that holds its shape beautifully—ideal for thick sauces and robust roasting where flavor concentrates and stays true. Grow Opalka for a steady, dependable harvest rhythm over the season, delivering the kind of tomato richness that turns everyday batches into signature favorites.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Opalka 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 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Sep 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Aug 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 20th – 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	75
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

Opalka’s low-gel, meaty interior cooks down into a sauce that clings instead of weeping—great if you want body and flavor staying power. Roast or reduce it and you’ll get that classic tomato tang with caramelized edges, without the watery breakup that softer slicing types can bring.

Best Uses

slow-reduced paste sauce with a thick nappe
cooking-roasting until edges caramelize and interior stays meaty
seed-forward dice for ragù-style simmering without turning to soup

Flavor Profile

dense, low-gel flesh sun-warmed tomato savor with a clean, tangy snap firm, sculpted bite that stays put

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil onion red wine black pepper Parmigiano-Reggiano

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease is most likely to hit Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and what should I do early?

Look for early blight on tomato leaves: dark, concentric rings that spread from the lower foliage upward. Remove affected leaves as soon as you see spots, avoid wetting foliage when watering, and spray with a labeled copper-based fungicide if conditions are humid or rain is frequent. Space plants for airflow so new growth stays drier.

How often should I water Amish Paste tomato plants during their main fruiting period?

During main fruiting, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and soil type. Water deeply 1–2 times per week, letting the top few centimeters dry slightly between waterings to prevent split fruit and root problems. Use drip irrigation or water at the base to keep Solanaceae foliage dry.

How can I tell when Opalka tomato fruits are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for the variety and feel firm but give slightly when gently squeezed. Expect mature fruit around 75 days from transplanting; pick regularly once they start ripening to keep plants producing. If fruit cracks or tastes overly firm, let it ripen another day or two on the vine before picking.