How to Grow Altgold
Wikimedia Commons
Altgold
Solanum lycopersicum 'Altgold'
vegetableAltgold is a determinate (bush-type) tomato cultivar bred for disease resistance and reliable production in challenging climates. It produces medium-sized, golden-yellow fruits with excellent flavor and a smooth, firm texture. This variety is particularly valued for its resistance to late blight and other fungal diseases.
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Example Altgold timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Altgold
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 Altgold
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Altgold dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-9; thrives in moderate to warm climates with good disease pressure management
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with 2 cotyledons emerge; true leaves develop over 2-3 weeks
Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily), maintain soil moisture, keep temperature 65-75°F. Thin to strongest seedling if direct-sown.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple true leaves and a stronger root system; stems thicken; 6-12 inches tall
Harden off seedlings before transplanting. Space 24-36 inches apart. Begin staking or caging. Maintain consistent watering and balanced fertilizer. Prune lower leaves once plant is established.
Flowering
2-3 weeksFirst flowers appear in clusters; plant continues producing new leaf growth and flower buds
Maintain steady moisture and balanced fertilizer. Ensure adequate sunlight and airflow to minimize disease. Altgold's determinate habit means most flowers appear within a concentrated window.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksSmall green fruits develop on flower clusters; fruits swell and begin color change to golden-yellow
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage fruiting over leaf growth. Continue consistent watering. Prune a few lower leaves to improve air circulation. Monitor for late blight and other fungal diseases.
Harvest
2-4 weeks of active harvestFruits reach full golden-yellow color, feel soft when gently squeezed, and easily detach from vine
Harvest when fully colored or at the 'breaker stage' (first color showing). Fruits will continue ripening off the vine. Pick regularly to encourage production. As determinate type, most fruit ripens within 2-3 week window.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Handpick; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray
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Yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; reflective mulch
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Increase humidity; spray with water; miticide if severe
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and
Plant resistant varieties (Altgold provides some resistance); remove infected plants; practice crop rotation; avoid overhead watering
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Altgold has improved resistance; remove infected foliage; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide preventatively in wet conditions
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryAltgold's golden-yellow color, smooth texture, and sweet flavor make it excellent for fresh eating, slicing into salads, and adding to summer dishes. The fruit has firm flesh that holds up well to cutting. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe balanced sweet-acid profile makes Altgold suitable for sauces, soups, and cooked dishes. Golden tomatoes often have slightly different flavor profiles than red varieties, offering subtle variations. [source]
Nutritional value
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Altgold provides vitamin C, potassium, and carotenoids. Yellow tomatoes contain less lycopene than red varieties but offer unique phytonutrients and antioxidants. [source]
Disease-resistant gardening
HouseholdAltgold was specifically bred for disease resistance, making it an excellent choice for organic gardeners, those in humid climates, or growers seeking to minimize fungicide use while maintaining reliable production. [source]
Garden ecosystem support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The compact, determinate growth of Altgold makes it ideal for container gardening and small spaces, supporting diverse garden ecosystems. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when fruits turn golden-yellow and yield slightly to gentle pressure. For best flavor, allow to fully ripen on the vine if weather permits. You can also pick at the breaker stage (first blush of color) and allow to ripen indoors. Determinate varieties like Altgold tend to ripen their entire crop within a concentrated 2-3 week period. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Altgold was developed in Austria (hence 'Alt') and is prized in European gardening for its reliable performance in cooler climates and resistance to late blight, which caused the Irish Potato Famine.
- 🌱 Golden and yellow tomato varieties contain lower levels of lycopene (the red pigment) but often have higher concentrations of beta-carotene and other carotenoids, offering distinct nutritional profiles.
- 🌱 Altgold is a determinate variety, meaning it sets most of its flowers and fruit within a concentrated period, making it excellent for canning, sauce-making, and succession planting for continuous harvests.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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