VegetableTomato
Cal Ace VF Tomato
Cal Ace VF is an open-pollinated heirloom determinate tomato that delivers reliable, heat-tolerant harvests in just 80 to 89 days from transplant. These medium-sized fruits develop a striking deep, almost purple-red color and remarkably round shape, making them as visually distinctive as they are productive. Hardy across zones 2 through 11 and naturally resistant to a formidable lineup of tomato diseases, Cal Ace VF brings both old-fashioned charm and modern disease resilience to any garden, raised bed, or greenhouse.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
48 in
Height
TypeDeterminate
Spacing
24
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
48in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Deep purple-red fruits with an almost jewel-like intensity and perfectly round form set Cal Ace VF apart visually on the vine. Its combination of heat tolerance, disease resistance to nine major pathogens, and consistent 80 to 89 day maturity makes it equally dependable whether you're gardening in a short-season climate or a hot, humid region. The determinate habit keeps plants compact at 36 to 48 inches tall, yet delivers concentrated production ideal for slicing, canning, and preserving.
Common Uses
Cal Ace VF is a slicing tomato well-suited to fresh eating, sauce-making, and preservation. Its medium size and firm structure make it reliable for canning, while its deep color and round form work beautifully for any preparation where uniform slices matter. Home gardeners and small-scale growers prize it for its versatility and consistent quality across diverse growing conditions.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in warm soil around 70°F and keep consistently moist until germination. Provide bright light once seedlings emerge.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60°F, ideally 65 to 70°F. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space transplants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows.
Harvesting
Pick fruits when they reach full deep purple-red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Fruits are ready 80 to 89 days after transplanting. For best flavor, allow fruits to fully color on the vine. If frost threatens, harvest fruits at the pink-to-light-red stage and ripen them indoors at room temperature.
Pruning
Determinate varieties like Cal Ace VF benefit from minimal pruning. Remove only the lowest leaves once plants are established to improve air flow and reduce disease pressure near the soil. Avoid aggressive topping, as the determinate growth habit naturally limits height and focuses energy into fruit production rather than excessive vegetative growth.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Growth Habit
Determinate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)