Oaxacan Jewel Tomato

Begin seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds in seed-starting mix at a depth of approximately 1/4 inch, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and maintain a warm environment around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. Once seedlings emerge, provide bright light and cooler nighttime temperatures to encourage stocky growth.

Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally closer to 65 to 70 degrees. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting. Space plants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows, and plant deep if seedlings are leggy, burying the stem up to the lowest leaf set to encourage additional root development.

Pick tomatoes when fully colored and slightly soft to gentle pressure, typically 70 to 79 days after transplanting. For peak flavor, harvest at full maturity rather than picking early and ripening indoors. Simply twist and lift the fruit, or use pruning shears if the stem resists. Harvest regularly throughout the growing season to encourage continued flower and fruit production on indeterminate plants.

As an indeterminate variety, Oaxacan Jewel will benefit from selective pruning to improve air circulation and focus plant energy on fruit production. Remove lower leaves as the plant grows to prevent soil splash and reduce disease pressure from fungal pathogens. Some gardeners remove suckers (shoots that form between the main stem and branches) on indeterminate types to manage plant size and direct energy toward fruit, though this is optional and depends on your support system and available space.