One Pound Pink Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix kept at 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds will germinate in 5 to 10 days. Provide bright light immediately after germination to prevent leggy seedlings.

Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date has passed and daytime soil temperatures consistently reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Plant at 52-inch spacing with 36 inches between rows. Bury the stem deeper than it was growing indoors; tomato plants will root along buried portions of the stem, strengthening the root system.

Harvest fruits when they reach full pink color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Wait for the blossom end to feel soft; this signals peak ripeness and sweetness. Twist the fruit gently at the stem and pull; fully ripe tomatoes will separate cleanly from the vine. For maximum flavor, harvest in the morning when fruits are cool. Fruits can be picked at the breaker stage (just beginning to show color) and ripened indoors if frost threatens or vines are overburdened.

As an indeterminate variety, One Pound Pink will grow continuously throughout the season and benefits from selective pruning. Remove suckers (shoots that emerge between the main stem and branches) once the plant reaches about 12 inches tall, channeling energy into fruit production on the main stems. Pinch off the growing tip 4 to 6 weeks before the first expected fall frost to halt new flower formation and allow existing fruit to mature fully before season's end.