Caro Rich Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6, 8 weeks before your last spring frost, sowing at a depth of 1/4 inch in warm, moist seed-starting mix. Keep soil temperature around 70, 75°F for germination, which typically occurs within 5, 10 days. Provide strong light (grow lights or sunny windowsill) once seedlings emerge to prevent legginess.

Transplant outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed to at least 60°F and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7, 10 days. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart, and plant slightly deeper than they grew in containers to encourage stronger root systems.

Pick fruits when they reach full golden-orange color and yield slightly to gentle pressure, this typically occurs 70, 79 days after transplanting. The 5, 8 oz slicers are ready to harvest at full color; they'll continue to ripen and sweeten slightly off the vine if picked at the breaker stage (when color just begins showing). Harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering and fruiting throughout the season. Twist and lift gently, or use pruners to avoid damaging the brittle stems.

As an indeterminate variety, Caro Rich benefits from pruning suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to direct energy toward fruit production and improve air circulation. Remove lower leaves once the plant reaches 12 inches tall to reduce disease pressure, but avoid over-pruning, which can stress the plant and expose fruit to sunscald. Unlike determinate varieties, this plant will continue growing and producing fruit until frost, so light, ongoing maintenance pruning throughout the season keeps it manageable.