Heirloom Beefsteak
Orange Accordion tomato is a stunning heirloom variety that turns heads on the vine and on the plate. Its deeply ruffled, massive fruit reaches up to 20 ounces each in a vivid, high-voltage orange hue that practically glows in the garden. From transplants, you'll harvest these beauties in just 75 days, and they deliver a sweet, fruity flavor packed with nutrition. The dense, meaty flesh and minimal seed content make these tomatoes equally at home in a sauce pot or sliced thick on a plate, while their unique shape makes them spectacular stuffed whole.
Full Sun
Moderate
?-?
?in H x ?in W
Annual, Perennial
High
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The accordion-like ribs that give this variety its name aren't just ornamental; they create a tomato that's as visually arresting as it is delicious. These massive fruits can reach 20 ounces, with juicy, meaty flesh that contains surprisingly few seeds. The sweet, fruity flavor combined with an indescribable beauty makes this a tomato that satisfies both the eye and the palate, earning its place with market gardeners and home growers who want their harvest to make a statement.
Orange Accordion tomato shines in the kitchen for slicing, sauces, and particularly for stuffing whole. Its deeply lobed structure and large size make it an excellent candidate for hollowing out and filling, creating an impressive centerpiece dish. The meaty, juicy flesh breaks down beautifully into rich sauces while retaining enough structure to slice cleanly for fresh applications.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Maintain soil temperature between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. Once seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light to prevent legginess.
Transplant outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed and daytime temperatures consistently reach 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space transplants 24 inches apart in well-prepared, fertile soil.
Harvest when the fruit reaches full orange color and yields slightly to gentle pressure. These massive tomatoes can reach 20 ounces, so pick them when fully ripe for peak sweetness and flavor. Handle carefully due to their size and weight. For the richest taste, harvest in the morning once dew has dried.
As an indeterminate variety, Orange Accordion will continue growing and producing throughout the season. Prune suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to direct energy into fruit production and improve air circulation. Remove lower leaves once the plant is established to reduce disease pressure and make harvesting easier. Maintain the main stems while pruning selectively to manage vine size and support the heavy fruit load.
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