VegetableTomato
Atkinson Tomato
The Atkinson Tomato is a humidity-loving heirloom developed at Auburn University in the 1960s, bred specifically for the challenges of the Deep South. This indeterminate slicing tomato produces medium-sized bright red fruits and reaches maturity in 70 to 79 days from transplant. Hardy from zones 3 to 10 and growing 3 to 8 feet tall, it thrives in full sun and rewards prolific production with exceptional disease resilience, making it a standout choice for gardeners in hot, humid climates.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
TypeIndeterminate
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-10
Size
96in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Developed in Auburn's breeding program to handle the unforgiving humidity of the Deep South, the Atkinson combines open-pollinated vigor with genuine disease resistance across seven different pathogens. Plants grow tall and produce abundantly, yielding medium bright red fruits that slice cleanly. Its tolerance for humidity sets it apart in regions where many tomatoes struggle with fungal pressure, making it particularly valuable for gardeners in the Southeast who've battled late blight or powdery mildew year after year.
Common Uses
The Atkinson functions as a primary slicing tomato, suited to fresh eating, salads, and sandwiches where its medium size and bright red color deliver reliable quality. Its prolific production on indeterminate vines means consistent harvests throughout the season, making it valuable for gardeners who want plenty of fruit for fresh use and small-scale processing like sauce or juice.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting soil and maintain warmth between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit until germination occurs. Keep seedlings under bright light once they emerge.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally closer to 65 to 70 degrees. Plant at the spacing noted (18 inches between plants, 36 inches between rows) in full sun locations.
Harvesting
Pick Atkinson Tomatoes when they reach full bright red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Harvest at the mature green stage if early frost threatens, as the fruits will continue to ripen indoors. Expect continuous production throughout the season due to the indeterminate growth habit, with the bulk of harvests occurring 70 to 79 days after transplanting.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety, the Atkinson will benefit from selective pruning to manage its vigorous growth and improve air circulation in humid conditions. Remove lower leaves once the plant is established to reduce fungal disease pressure from soil splash. Pinch off side shoots (suckers) between the main stem and branches to direct energy into fruit production and keep the plant trainable on support structures.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Growth Habit
Indeterminate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“The Atkinson Tomato emerged from Auburn University's breeding work during the 1960s, developed with a specific purpose: to create a tomato that could thrive in the humidity-soaked climate of the Deep South. Rather than importing varieties from drier regions and hoping they'd adapt, Auburn's horticulturists bred this cultivar from the ground up to handle the moisture and fungal pressures that plague traditional tomatoes in humid environments. Its journey from university research plot to home gardens represents the practical side of plant breeding, where regional challenges drive innovation. As an open-pollinated heirloom, it preserves the genetics from that era of purposeful, place-based plant development and remains available to gardeners today through seed catalogs and heritage preservation networks.”