How to Grow Cardinale Tomato
Wikimedia Commons
Cardinale Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cardinale'
vegetableCardinale is a determinate (bush-type) tomato variety known for its vibrant deep red color and robust plant growth. It produces medium-sized fruits with excellent flavor and is particularly popular in commercial and home gardens for its disease resistance and consistent yields.
When should you plant Cardinale Tomato in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Cardinale Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Cardinale Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Cardinale Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cardinale Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension
Sign up free to see if Cardinale Tomato grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Cardinale Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge within 5-10 days. True leaves appear shortly after.
Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily under grow lights), maintain 70-75°F soil temperature, keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin to strongest seedlings.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingPlants develop multiple sets of true leaves, grow taller, and establish a strong root system. Stems thicken and become woody.
Harden off seedlings gradually before planting outdoors. Plant deeply, burying stem up to first true leaves to encourage root development. Support with stakes or cages early. Pinch off lower leaves as plant grows.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences). Plant develops dense foliage and flower buds proliferate.
Ensure consistent watering to prevent flower drop. Maintain steady nitrogen levels but avoid excessive nitrogen that delays fruiting. Gently shake plants when flowering to aid pollination. Monitor for pests.
Fruiting & Development
3-4 weeksFruits develop from flowers, starting small and green, gradually enlarging. Plant reaches full determinate size and sets multiple fruit clusters simultaneously.
Increase potassium and phosphorus feeding to support fruit development. Continue consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Prune only damaged leaves to maintain airflow. Watch for nutrient deficiencies.
Harvest
2-3 weeks of active harvestingFruits mature to deep red color, fully develop sweetness and flavor. Determinate variety produces most fruit at once, then plant declines.
Pick fruits at first blush of color to encourage ripening of remaining fruits. Harvest before first frost. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Store at room temperature (avoid refrigeration when possible).
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray. Encourage parasitic wasps. Scout daily during season.
-
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Use yellow sticky traps. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps.
-
Spray strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs and lacewings.
-
Remove affected lower leaves immediately. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide or sulfur. Mulch to prevent soil splash.
-
Remove affected plant parts immediately. Apply copper-based fungicide or chlorothalonil. Space plants for good air circulation. Avoid overhead watering.
-
Remove affected leaves. Apply copper fungicide. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Stake to keep foliage off soil.
-
Increase humidity and spray water on underside of leaves. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce predatory mites.
Uses
Fresh Eating & Slicing
CulinaryCardinale tomatoes have excellent flavor and firm flesh ideal for slicing into sandwiches, salads, and fresh preparations. The balanced acid-sugar content provides bright, classic tomato taste. [source]
Sauce & Cooking
CulinaryThe robust plant production and medium size make Cardinale ideal for processing into tomato sauce, paste, and cooked dishes. Deep red color indicates high lycopene content. [source]
Commercial & Market Growing
CulinaryBred for commercial production, Cardinale's disease resistance, determinate growth, and uniform ripening make it popular for farmers markets and wholesale tomato production. [source]
Nutritional Value
MedicinalTomatoes contain lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamins C and K, and other antioxidants linked to reduced heart disease and cancer risk. Raw and cooked tomatoes both provide health benefits. [source]
Home Gardening Staple
HouseholdCardinale's reliability, disease resistance, and consistent yields make it a dependable choice for home gardeners seeking productive tomato plants with minimal pest and disease issues. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cardinale tomatoes are determinates that ripen most fruit at once, typically 70-85 days after transplanting. Pick fruits when they reach full deep red color; they can be harvested at breaker stage (first color appears) to ripen indoors. Harvest before the first frost. For peak flavor, pick in morning and allow to sit at room temperature. The variety is known for good shelf life and handling quality, making it suitable for fresh market sales.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cardinale was bred for commercial tomato production and combines the productivity of determinate bush varieties with excellent disease resistance to early and late blight, making it one of the most reliable varieties for both home and professional growers.
- 🌱 Tomatoes are botanically berries and belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae); despite being treated as vegetables culinarily, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1893 that tomatoes should be classified as vegetables for tariff purposes.
- 🌱 The deep red color of Cardinale tomatoes comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that is actually more bioavailable when tomatoes are cooked or processed, making sauce and paste potentially more nutritious than fresh fruit.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Cardinale Tomato planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Cardinale Tomato seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Cardinale Tomato timeline →