Tangerine Tomato is a long-standing heirloom that produces massive orange beefsteak fruits, often weighing over a pound even early in the season. This indeterminate variety reaches 60 to 84 inches tall and matures in around 80 days from transplant, thriving in hardiness zone 9 with impressive disease resistance and drought tolerance. The richly colored, meltingly tender fruits are hard to resist straight from the garden, making this a standout choice for gardeners seeking both flavor and reliability.
36
Full Sun
Low
2-11
84in H x 18in W
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High
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Tangerine Tomato delivers consistent yields of exceptionally large orange slicing tomatoes that can weigh more than a pound per fruit. This heirloom variety resists seven major tomato diseases, handles drought well, and repels deer, so once you plant it you can largely leave it to thrive. The fruits are notably tender and succulent, best enjoyed fresh and never from the refrigerator, with a flavor profile that rewards careful attention at harvest time.
Tangerine Tomato shines as a fresh slicing tomato, best enjoyed at peak ripeness without refrigeration. The large, tender fruits are ideal for thick slices drizzled with olive oil, in classic summer salads, or simply eaten warm from the vine. Its substantial size and meaty texture make it excellent for showcasing quality produce rather than processing.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before outdoor night temperatures reliably reach 50-55°F (10-13°C). Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in seed starting mix, keeping soil moist but not soggy at around 80°F (27°C). Provide strong light until seedlings emerge. When seedlings reach 2 inches tall, transplant into individual 4-inch pots and maintain at 70°F (21°C), feeding with half-strength fertilizer every 2 weeks until ready to plant outside.
Transplant outdoors when night temperatures reliably reach 55°F (13°C). Prepare soil well with aged manure or compost, and plant seedlings several inches deeper than they were growing in containers. Space plants 36 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. Provide strong stakes or tall wire cages at planting time.
Pick fruits when fully ripe for best flavor, and do not store in the refrigerator. Tangerine tomatoes can weigh over a pound and are best enjoyed fresh from the garden at peak ripeness. Early in the season, mature fruits will reach full size and develop their characteristic orange color.
As an indeterminate variety, Tangerine Tomato benefits from support structures such as tall wire cages or sturdy stakes. Remove spent flowers and dead foliage regularly to improve air circulation and prevent disease buildup.
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“This is a long-standing heirloom tomato variety with roots in open-pollinated, non-GMO cultivation. The variety has persisted through generations of seed savers and gardeners who recognized its exceptional disease resistance, generous yields, and superior fruit quality. Its journey from heritage gardens to modern seed catalogs reflects the broader movement to preserve and celebrate heirloom vegetables that deliver both reliability and exceptional eating quality.”