Contessa is a large beefsteak hybrid tomato bred for controlled growing environments where it truly shines. Reaching maturity in 75 days from transplants, this indeterminate variety produces substantial, attractive fruit that rewards the patience of greenhouse and tunnel growers. Hardy from zones 3 to 11, it thrives when given the structured support and temperature management that intensive production demands. The combination of size, appearance, and dependable performance in protected cultivation makes Contessa a compelling choice for gardeners with season-extension capabilities.
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Moderate
3-11
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High
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Large beefsteak fruits develop reliably within 75 days of transplanting, and the indeterminate growth habit means you'll have a continuous harvest throughout the season. Contessa is purpose-built for tunnel and greenhouse production, where controlled temperatures and trellising systems unlock its full potential. The structured growing environment it prefers isn't a limitation but a feature; it allows you to fine-tune fruit quality and extend your harvest window significantly beyond what field cultivation offers.
Contessa's large beefsteak form makes it excellent for slicing fresh, whether for sandwiches, salads, or simple preparations where substantial, visually impressive fruit takes center stage. Its size and appearance suit it well to exhibition and specialty market production, where buyers specifically seek premium, distinctive specimens.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 7 weeks before your intended transplanting date. Maintain a constant soil temperature of 73 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit to promote rapid germination and vigorous seedling growth. Supplemental lighting helps maintain strong transplants, especially during seasons with short or cloudy days.
Transplant into greenhouse or tunnel systems when seedlings are sufficiently developed. After transplanting, maintain 73 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit for both day and night temperatures for 5 to 7 days to encourage rapid foliar and root development. Plant deeply as you would with field tomatoes, unless using grafted plants, in which case position the graft union above the soil line. Provide 4 to 6 square feet of growing area per leader depending on your climate, disease pressure, and pruning approach.
Harvest ripe beefsteak fruits when they've reached full color and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. Contessa allows for truss harvesting, meaning you can pick entire clusters of fruit at once, which streamlines harvest efficiency in intensive production systems.
Train Contessa to one or two branchless leaders onto vertical strings using trellis clips positioned roughly one inch below every third leaf. Keep strings taut and reuse bottom clips, maintaining at least three to four clips per string. Actively prune leaves and side shoots to manage disease pressure and direct the plant's energy toward consistent, high-quality fruit production throughout the season. If your setup and labor permit, consider a lower-and-lean system for long-season production. If you're growing grafted plants, remove any suckers that emerge from the rootstock to maintain plant vigor.
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