Pineapple Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Soak seeds in warm water (70-80°F) and sow at a depth of 1/8 inch in seed-starting mix. Seeds typically sprout in 7-14 days under consistent warmth. Keep seedlings under grow lights and maintain soil moisture until ready to transplant.

Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days by exposing them to increasing outdoor conditions. Plant at 24-inch spacing (with 36 inches between rows), burying the stem up to the first true leaves to encourage a strong root system. Set up support structures at planting time to minimize root disturbance later.

Harvest Pineapple Tomatoes when they are fully ripe, showing deep red-orange color with full golden-yellow shoulders and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. The fruits should detach easily from the vine with a light twist. For best flavor, pick only fully ripe fruit and avoid refrigeration immediately after harvest. If green fruit remains at season's end, harvest it and ripen in a cool, dark area, keeping fruits separated so they do not touch.

As an indeterminate variety, Pineapple Tomato benefits from selective pruning to manage vine growth and improve air circulation. Remove suckers (shoots that emerge between the main stem and branches) on the lower 6-12 inches of the plant to reduce disease pressure. Prune lightly throughout the season to maintain the plant's shape and direct energy toward fruit production rather than excessive foliage, but avoid aggressive pruning that removes too much leaf coverage needed to protect developing fruit from sunscald.