Riesenstraube Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in warm soil between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep soil consistently moist until germination, which typically occurs within 7 to 10 days. Provide strong light as soon as seedlings emerge to prevent leggy growth.

Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant deeper than the seedling's original depth, burying the stem up to the first true leaves to encourage a stronger root system. Space 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows.

Pick fruits when they reach full red color and feel slightly soft to gentle pressure, typically 70 to 79 days after transplanting. Harvest entire clusters when most fruits in a bunch have ripened, or pick individual fruits as they mature. The clustered growth habit means you can often gather several fruits at once. For best flavor, allow fruits to ripen fully on the vine rather than picking at the breaker stage. Morning harvest, after dew has dried, yields the crispest fruits.

As an indeterminate variety, Riesenstraube benefits from selective pruning to improve airflow and manage plant size. Remove suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branch) to direct energy toward fruit production and reduce disease risk. Prune lower leaves once fruits begin ripening to improve air circulation around the base. Stop aggressive pruning 4 to 6 weeks before your first expected frost to allow the plant to focus on ripening existing fruit.