Ace 55 Bush Tomato is a compact, determinate tomato that matures in just 80 days, making it one of the fastest ways to get homegrown tomatoes on your table. This reliable cultivar thrives across hardiness zones 3 through 12, adapting to climates from cool northern gardens to hot southern regions. Its bushy, self-contained growth habit means you can grow it almost anywhere you have full sun and well-draining soil, whether in the ground or containers. With moderate water needs and a preference for slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0 to 6.8), Ace 55 rewards straightforward care with dependable harvests.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-12
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Moderate
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Ace 55's greatest strength lies in its speed and adaptability. Eighty days from transplant to ripe fruit is genuinely fast for a tomato, and its determinate growth stops at a manageable height, eliminating the constant pruning and staking required by indeterminate varieties. The compact bush habit makes it exceptional for small spaces, containers, and cool-climate gardens where a long growing season can't be counted on. Gardeners in zones 3 and 4 particularly appreciate this variety because it finishes before the first autumn frost arrives.
Ace 55 tomatoes are eaten fresh from the vine, sliced into salads, or cooked into sauces and soups. The determinate habit means you'll get a concentrated harvest window rather than fruit trickling in throughout the season, making them well-suited for canning or preserving if you're inclined that direction.
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Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your intended transplant date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed starting mix kept at 70 to 90°F for best germination, though germination will occur at 60°F if necessary. Maintain warm, bright conditions and keep soil consistently moist. Transplant seedlings outdoors when air temperature is 45°F or warmer, which typically falls 1 to 2 weeks after your area's average last frost date.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting. Transplant into garden soil when air temperature reaches at least 45°F and soil temperature is around 60°F or warmer. Space plants 36 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. Bury the stem deeper than it was growing in the pot if desired; tomatoes will root along buried stem sections.
For mild climates only, direct sow outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 60°F. This method is not recommended; indoor starting gives much better results and more reliable germination.
Tomatoes are ready to harvest 80 days after transplanting when they reach full color (typically red) and yield slightly to gentle finger pressure. Pick fruit by gently twisting and lifting, or cut with a clean knife to avoid damaging the branch. Because Ace 55 is determinate, most of the crop will ripen over a concentrated 2 to 3 week period rather than trickling in all season.
Since Ace 55 is a determinate variety, it naturally stops growing at a set height and requires minimal pruning compared to indeterminate types. Remove only the lowest leaves once the plant is established to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure, but otherwise let the plant grow to its natural bushy form.
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