Jet Star Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost, planting them 1/4 inch deep in warm, moist seed-starting mix. Maintain soil temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for fastest germination. Provide bright 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 the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, spacing plants 24 inches apart within rows and 36 inches between rows. Bury the stem deeper than it was growing indoors to encourage a stronger root system.

Pick Jet Star tomatoes when they turn fully red and yield slightly to gentle pressure; they should detach easily from the vine with a light twist. Harvest at the breaker stage (when the first blush of color appears) if you need to pick early, as they'll continue ripening off the vine. Begin harvesting around 70 to 79 days after transplanting, depending on growing conditions and variety-specific timing.

As an indeterminate variety, Jet Star will continue growing throughout the season and benefit from selective pruning. Remove suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to direct energy into fruit production rather than excess foliage. Keep lower leaves pruned as the plant grows to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure, but avoid over-pruning, which stresses the plant and exposes fruit to sunscald.