How to Grow Autumn Royalty

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Autumn Royalty

Solanum lycopersicum 'Autumn Royalty'

vegetable

Autumn Royalty is a determinate tomato variety bred specifically for late-season growing, producing dark red, medium-sized fruits that mature reliably in cool fall conditions. This heirloom-type tomato is resistant to early blight and late blight, making it ideal for extending the harvest season into autumn. The plants are compact and bushy, typically reaching 3-4 feet in height.

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Example Autumn Royalty timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Autumn Royalty
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Autumn Royalty
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Autumn Royalty dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred for fruit development)

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week, more during hot periods. Maintain even soil moisture to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Water at soil level to reduce disease pressure.

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Spacing: 24-36 inches between plants, 36-48 inches between rows inches

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Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant to first ripe fruit

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Planting depth: Plant seed 1/4 inch deep; transplant with bottom stem buried up to first true leaves (roots will form along buried stem)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss or coconut coir balanced fertilizer (5-10-10) calcium (gypsum or crushed eggshells to prevent blossom end rot)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 4-10; particularly suited to zones 5-8 where it reaches full potential in fall growing

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny plants with 2 cotyledons and emerging true leaves; seedlings are 2-4 inches tall

Provide bright light (14-16 hours under grow lights), maintain soil moisture but avoid waterlogging, keep temperature 65-75°F

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks in garden

Bushy plants developing multiple branches and compound leaves; no flower buds yet; plants 6-18 inches tall

Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting; space properly to allow air circulation; support with stakes or cages if needed; pinch off lower leaves once plants are established to improve airflow

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters (racemes); plant actively blooming with new flower trusses forming weekly

Provide consistent water and nutrients; maintain balanced fertilizer (lower nitrogen to encourage fruiting); pollinate manually or allow wind/insects to pollinate; maintain air circulation to prevent disease

Fruit Development & Maturation

4-6 weeks from fruit set to first harvest

Young green fruits form and gradually enlarge; fruits progress from green to breaker stage (first blush of color) to full red color

Continue consistent watering and feeding; remove some foliage carefully to allow sunlight to reach developing fruits (avoid heavy pruning); prune suckers on determinate varieties to focus energy on fruit; watch for pests and disease

Harvest

2-4 weeks (ongoing through fall until frost)

Fruits reach full color and slight softness when gently squeezed; peak flavor and juiciness at fully ripe stage

Pick ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production; harvest at 'breaker stage' if frost threatens (they will ripen indoors); store at room temperature away from direct sun; check plants every 2-3 days during peak harvest

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrot Onion Garlic Marigold Borage Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Potatoes Walnut trees

Common Pests

Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for smaller larvae; encourage parasitic wasps
Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper or sulfur fungicide; water at soil level only; resistant variety (Autumn Royalty) provides good protection
This variety has resistance; remove infected foliage immediately; apply chlorothalonil or mancozeb fungicides; improve drainage and air circulation
Use reflective mulches; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce parasitic wasps; remove heavily infested leaves
Spray water to dislodge; use sulfur dust or neem oil; maintain humidity; increase air circulation to reduce stress
Ensure consistent watering (soil should not dry out between waterings); add calcium (gypsum or crushed eggshells); mulch to regulate soil moisture

Uses

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Fresh eating and salads

Culinary

Dark red, flavorful fruits are excellent sliced fresh in salads, sandwiches, and on their own. The firm skin and flesh make them ideal for fresh consumption. [source]

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Sauces and cooking

Culinary

The balanced acid and sugar content makes Autumn Royalty excellent for making homemade pasta sauces, salsas, and cooked tomato dishes with rich flavor. [source]

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Nutritional health benefits

Medicinal

Rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, as well as vitamins C and K. Regular consumption supports heart and immune system health. [source]

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Home preservation

Household

Excellent for canning, freezing, and making tomato paste or juice. The firm texture and good flavor retention make them ideal for long-term storage methods. [source]

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Garden biodiversity

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract pollinators including bees and beneficial insects. The plants support a diverse ecosystem in the vegetable garden. [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 red and slightly soft to touch for best flavor, typically 70-85 days after transplanting. Autumn Royalty will produce fruit reliably through cool fall temperatures. In areas with early frost, harvest at 'breaker stage' (first blush of color appears) and ripen indoors at 68-77°F. Check plants every 2-3 days at peak season. Leave vine intact until frost kills plants to continue ripening remaining fruit.

Fun Facts

🌱 Autumn Royalty was specifically bred by Cornell University to excel in cool fall growing conditions with superior disease resistance to early and late blight—making it perfect for extending the season after summer-stressed plants decline.
🌱 This determinate variety produces most of its fruit within a concentrated period (ideal for canning and preserving) rather than spreading production across the entire season like indeterminate types.
🌱 The dark red color is an indicator of higher lycopene content, which develops better in cooler fall temperatures, making fall-grown Autumn Royalty potentially more nutrient-dense than summer harvests.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Heirloom Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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