Jubilee Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch in warm soil (70-75°F) and provide consistent moisture until germination. Seedlings will emerge in 5-10 days and should be grown under bright light, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors. Move plants outside only after soil temperature reaches at least 60°F and all frost danger has passed, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. Space transplants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart, setting them slightly deeper than their nursery containers to encourage stronger root development.

Jubilee tomatoes reach full size around 60-69 days from transplant (some sources indicate 72-85 days). Harvest when the fruit has fully colored to yellow-orange and yields slightly to gentle pressure; these thick-walled fruits take longer to soften than thin-skinned varieties, so don't wait for them to feel mushy. You can pick them just at full color before they become overly soft, and they'll continue to sweeten on the counter. The plant produces continuously throughout the season, so check every 2-3 days once fruit reaches full size.

As an indeterminate variety, Jubilee benefits from selective pruning to manage height and improve air circulation. Remove the bottom 6-8 inches of foliage once the plant reaches 12-18 inches tall to reduce disease pressure and encourage air movement around the base. Prune suckers (shoots between the main stem and branches) moderately to focus energy into fruit production rather than excessive vine growth, but avoid aggressive pruning that removes too much foliage and exposes developing fruit to sunscald.