Stuffer Striped Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in moist seed-starting mix, maintaining soil temperature around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provide bright light once seedlings emerge to prevent legginess.

Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, starting with dappled shade and increasing sun exposure. Transplant into the garden when soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and all frost danger has passed. Space plants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows, burying the stem deeply to encourage strong root development.

Pick Stuffer Striped Tomatoes when they achieve full yellow color with deep red striping, typically 80 to 89 days after transplanting. Gently twist and lift the fruit from the vine, or use pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Tomatoes harvested at the breaker stage (when the first blush of color appears) will continue ripening indoors if needed, but waiting for full maturity on the vine delivers superior flavor. Check plants every 2 to 3 days during peak season for consistent harvests.

As an indeterminate variety, Stuffer Striped Tomatoes benefit from pruning suckers, the shoots that emerge between the main stem and branches. Remove lower leaves once the plant reaches 12 to 18 inches tall to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. Focus pruning on maintaining one or two strong central stems if using single-stake or string-trellis methods, or allow multiple stems if using cages. Avoid aggressive pruning that exposes too much fruit to direct sunlight.