Katana Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping soil between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination. Transplants are ready to move outdoors once they develop their first true leaves and reach 2 to 3 inches tall.

Transplant Katana outdoors once soil temperatures consistently reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit and all frost danger has passed. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space plants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows. Plant slightly deeper than their nursery pot, burying part of the stem to encourage additional root development.

Pick Katana tomatoes when they reach full color and yield slightly to gentle pressure, typically 60 to 69 days after transplanting. The beefsteak fruits should feel firm but not rock hard. Harvest in the early morning when the plant is fully hydrated for best flavor and shelf life. For storage, pick fruits at the breaker stage (when color just begins to change) and allow them to ripen indoors at room temperature if vine space is limited.

Because Katana is determinate, it naturally forms a compact, bushy plant and requires minimal pruning compared to indeterminate varieties. Remove only the lowest leaves once fruit begins to set, improving air circulation around the base to reduce Late Blight and other fungal issues. Avoid heavy pruning, which stresses the plant and can reduce overall yield.