Chef's Choice Red Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in warm soil (around 70-75°F) and maintain consistent moisture until germination. Transplant seedlings into individual pots once they develop true leaves, and provide bright light to prevent leggy growth.

Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before moving to the garden. Transplant outdoors after your last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Space plants 18 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart, setting them slightly deeper than their pot depth to encourage strong root development.

Tomatoes are ready to harvest once they reach full red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Expect mature fruits around 80-85 days from transplant. Pick fruits at their peak color for best flavor and texture, twisting gently or cutting with pruners to avoid damaging the vine. Continuous harvest from indeterminate plants means picking every 2-3 days during peak season.

As an indeterminate variety, Chef's Choice Red will benefit from removal of lower foliage once the plant reaches 12 inches tall. This improves air circulation and reduces disease pressure. Suckers (shoots that form between the main stem and branches) can be pruned to direct energy into fruit production, though light sucker removal is generally sufficient for this disease-resistant variety.