Andiamo Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch in warm soil (70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and maintain consistent moisture. Seedlings will emerge in 5 to 10 days and need bright light, either under grow lights or in a sunny window.

Transplant seedlings outdoors once nighttime temperatures reliably stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees. Harden off plants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space them 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart.

Pick Andiamo tomatoes when they are fully colored deep red but still slightly soft to gentle pressure. Harvest when fruits reach their full 5 to 6 ounce size with the characteristic elongated shape. For fresh eating, pick fully ripe fruit. For sauce or paste, you can harvest slightly earlier when the fruit is firm but not yet at peak softness, allowing you to preserve larger batches. Harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering and fruit set.

Because Andiamo is indeterminate, it will grow continuously throughout the season and benefit from light pruning. Remove suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to direct energy toward fruit production and improve air circulation. Prune lower foliage once the plant is established to prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto leaves during watering.