Kolb Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix kept at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds typically germinate within 5 to 10 days. Provide bright light once seedlings emerge, and keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Transplant outdoors after the last frost date has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space transplants 24 inches apart in rows set 36 inches apart, burying the stem deeper than it grew in the pot to encourage additional root development.

Kolb tomatoes are ready to harvest 80 to 89 days after transplanting. Pick fruits when they've fully colored to a deep pink and feel slightly soft when gently squeezed. Fruits can weigh up to one pound at full maturity. Twist gently while supporting the vine, or use pruners to cleanly separate the fruit from the stem. For best flavor, harvest in the early morning after dew dries but before afternoon heat.

As an indeterminate variety that grows to 74 to 84 inches, Kolb benefits from selective pruning to manage vine size and improve air circulation. Remove lower leaves once the plant is established to reduce disease pressure and redirect energy upward. Pinch off suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to focus the plant's energy on fruit production rather than excessive foliage.