Dr. Wyche's Yellow Tomato carries the fascinating legacy of a circus co-owner who fertilized his gardens with elephant manure, creating one of the most distinctive golden orange tomatoes in cultivation. These indeterminate plants reach 5-6 feet tall and produce substantial 8-20 ounce fruits with a glowing tangerine color and meaty texture over 70-79 days from transplant. Hardy across zones 2-11, this open-pollinated heirloom offers exceptional disease resistance and delivers what many consider the finest flavor among golden varieties.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
72 in
Height
—
Width
24 in
Spacing
70–79
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
72in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Perennial
Care
High
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Highlights
The story behind this tomato is as remarkable as its fruit. Dr. John Wyche, once co-owner of Cole Brothers Circus, used elephant manure to nurture his heritage gardens, developing this variety that produces large, smooth fruits with an almost luminous golden-orange skin. The flesh is exceptionally meaty with few seeds, offering a tropical sweetness and rich flavor that stands apart from typical red varieties. These substantial tomatoes typically weigh between 8 ounces to over a pound, making them perfect showcase fruits that glow like jewels on the vine.
Common Uses
These large, meaty tomatoes excel in fresh applications where their golden color and rich flavor can shine. The substantial size and firm flesh make them ideal for slicing onto sandwiches and salads, while their low seed content and meaty texture work beautifully in sauces and cooking applications. The striking tangerine color adds visual appeal to caprese salads, tomato platters, and fresh salsas, while the tropical sweetness makes them exceptional for eating fresh from the vine.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 7-9 weeks before the last spring frost date, sowing 1/4 inch deep in well-draining seed starting mix. Maintain soil temperature between 75-85°F for optimal germination, which typically occurs within 7-10 days. Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, transplant to larger containers and grow at 60-70°F with supplemental lighting to prevent stretching.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature remains consistently above 60°F. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days before transplanting. Plant deeply to encourage adventitious root development, spacing 24 inches between plants and 36 inches between rows.
Harvesting
Harvest when fruits reach their full golden-orange color with possible green shoulders, typically at 8-20 ounces in size. The fruits should yield slightly to gentle pressure and develop their characteristic tropical aroma when fully ripe. Cut from the vine with clean shears rather than pulling to avoid damaging the plant, and harvest regularly throughout the season as this indeterminate variety produces continuously until frost.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety with naturally sparse foliage, focus pruning on removing lower leaves that touch the ground and selectively removing suckers to improve air circulation and direct energy to fruit production. Remove any yellowing or diseased leaves promptly, and consider topping the plants once they reach the top of your support system to focus energy on ripening existing fruit.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum L.
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Duration
Annual, Perennial
Growth Habit
Indeterminate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“This remarkable heirloom was introduced to Seed Savers Exchange by the late Dr. John Wyche, whose unconventional background as co-owner of Cole Brothers Circus led to equally unconventional gardening methods. Wyche fertilized his heritage gardens with elephant manure from the circus, creating the rich growing conditions that helped develop this exceptional variety. The tomato was later refined through agricultural research, with development work conducted at the University of North Dakota and University of New Hampshire in 1953 by A. Yeager. This unique origin story, combining circus life with serious plant breeding, has made Dr. Wyche's Yellow one of the most celebrated golden tomatoes in the heirloom community.”