How to Grow All Gold Tomato
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All Gold Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'All Gold'
vegetableAll Gold is an indeterminate heirloom tomato variety prized for its bright golden-yellow fruits and rich, complex flavor. The plants produce medium-sized fruits (2-3 ounces) abundantly throughout the season, offering a distinctive sweet-tangy taste with tropical fruit undertones. This open-pollinated variety is excellent for fresh eating, sauces, and ornamental garden displays.
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Example All Gold Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant All Gold Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest All Gold Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact All Gold Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, can grow in zones 3-10 with appropriate timing
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Seedling
6-8 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 true leaves emerge within 7-10 days. Delicate and pale green.
Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily (grow lights if indoors). Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain 65-75°F. Avoid transplanting until at least 6-8 weeks old or when 6-8 true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeks after transplanting outdoorsRobust plants develop multiple true leaves and strong stems. Plants grow 2-4 feet tall before flowering begins.
Harden off transplants by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Plant outdoors after last frost date. Install sturdy stakes or cages for indeterminate support. Prune suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) every 1-2 weeks to direct energy to main stems and fruiting.
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters at leaf nodes. Flowers are small, bright yellow, and arranged in 5-7 flower groups per inflorescence.
Maintain consistent watering and feeding (every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer, then switch to lower nitrogen formula). Ensure good air circulation to prevent disease. Light hand-pollination with a small brush can improve fruit set in cooler weather.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruit develops rapidly. Fruits slowly change from light green to golden-yellow over 2-3 weeks, indicating ripeness.
Continue deep, consistent watering without wetting foliage. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with lower-nitrogen formula (5-20-20 or similar). Remove lower leaves if they touch soil. Monitor for pests and diseases. Thin fruit if plants are overwhelmed; space fruits 3-4 inches apart.
Harvest & Mature Production
8-12 weeks (until frost)Golden-yellow fruits ripen continuously throughout mid-summer to first frost. Mature fruits yield fully to gentle pressure.
Pick fruits when fully colored and slightly soft (golden-yellow, not orange-yellow). Harvest every 2-3 days during peak season. As season progresses, remove flowers 6-8 weeks before first frost date to allow existing fruit to ripen. Water regularly to prevent splitting.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick larvae and pupae. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray. Plant borage to attract parasitoid wasps.
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Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Release ladybugs. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
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Yellow sticky traps. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap. Improve air circulation.
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Increase humidity and air circulation. Spray with water. Use neem oil or sulfur dust in cooler weather.
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Remove affected lower leaves immediately. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Avoid overhead watering. Apply copper or sulfur fungicides preventatively.
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Ensure excellent air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Remove infected plants. Apply copper fungicides. Plant in full sun.
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Ensure consistent watering (1-2 inches weekly). Add calcium (lime or crushed eggshells) to soil before planting. Mulch to regulate soil moisture.
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryAll Gold's sweet, complex flavor with tropical fruit notes makes it ideal for fresh slicing, dicing into salads, and eating out of hand. The golden color adds visual interest to summer meals. [source]
Golden tomato sauce and preserves
CulinaryThe rich flavor concentrates beautifully in sauces, jams, and ketchups. Golden tomato sauce offers a milder, sweeter alternative to red tomato sauce. [source]
Ornamental garden display
HouseholdBright golden fruits and continuous production make All Gold an attractive addition to edible landscaping and ornamental vegetable gardens. The color contrasts beautifully with green foliage. [source]
Nutritional support
MedicinalRich in carotenoids and vitamin C, All Gold tomatoes support eye health and immune function. The antioxidants in golden tomatoes differ somewhat from red varieties, offering unique nutritional benefits. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an open-pollinated heirloom variety, All Gold can be easily seed-saved for future growing seasons. Seeds maintain true-to-type characteristics when isolated from other tomato varieties. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick fruits when fully golden-yellow and slightly soft to the touch (typically late July through September in most climates). Harvest every 2-3 days during peak ripeness. All Gold does not continue to ripen much after picking, so allow full color development on the vine. For best flavor, harvest in early morning after dew dries and store at room temperature, not refrigerated. To encourage ripening before frost, stop watering slightly and prune off flowers 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost date.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 All Gold is sometimes called 'yellow' or 'golden' tomato and was featured in seed catalogs as early as the 1980s-1990s as heirloom varieties gained popularity.
- 🌱 Golden and yellow tomatoes contain different carotenoids (xanthophyll and beta-carotene) than red tomatoes (lycopene), making them a nutritionally complementary addition to tomato gardens.
- 🌱 The indeterminate growth habit means All Gold will continue producing fruit until frost, often yielding 50-100+ fruits per plant in favorable conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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