Tomato

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sun-warmed, garden-ripe flavor bursts with a bright, tangy sweetness and a classic tomato perfume—then settles into a silky, juicy bite with tender flesh and few hard cores.

This slicing tomato is made for thick, satisfying slices, delivering a balanced texture that holds its shape beautifully for everyday salads and fresh showcases. Grow it for a steady harvest of richly colored fruit that looks as lush as it tastes—ideal for turning garden abundance into vibrant, spoonable sauces and quick pickled preserves.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Determinate

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
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	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

Built for slicing: tender flesh and low hard-core bite make it satisfying raw, while its tangy-sweet balance holds up when reduced into a quick sauce or pickled for a sharper snap.

Best Uses

thick slices on flaky salt and olive oil for a clean, juicy showcase
everyday salads where the flesh holds shape instead of weeping
quick pan sauces and spoonable skillet reductions
fast pickles and fridge preserves for tangy, jammy bite

Flavor Profile

bright tangy sweetness classic tomato perfume silky, juicy bite with tender flesh

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil sea salt garlic balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly hits Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), and how can I manage it at home?

Early blight and Septoria leaf spot are common tomato fungal diseases, often starting as small dark spots on older leaves and spreading upward. Remove infected leaves promptly, keep plants spaced for airflow, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and use an appropriate labeled fungicide if spots are progressing after rain or humid weather. For pests, check weekly for tomato hornworms and hand-pick them; act early because they can defoliate plants quickly.

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

During active growth and fruiting, water deeply enough to wet the root zone consistently—typically about 1 to 2 times per week depending on heat and soil—aiming for evenly moist (not soggy) soil. Mulch around the base to reduce evaporation and prevent the wet-dry swings that lead to blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. If the top 1 inch of soil is dry, it’s time for a deep watering.

How do I know when my Solanum lycopersicum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for their variety (green varieties should turn their mature color), with a firm-but-giving texture and no green shoulders near the stem. Most tomatoes mature around 85 days from transplant to harvest, but start picking as soon as fruits reach maturity to keep new fruit setting. Pick gently to avoid damaging stems and follow through with regular harvests every few days during peak production.