How to Grow Cascadia Red
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Cascadia Red
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cascadia Red'
vegetableCascadia Red is a determinate paste tomato variety bred for disease resistance and reliability in cool, wet climates. It produces medium-sized, elongated red fruits ideal for sauce and canning. This variety is particularly valued for its resistance to late blight and early blight, making it an excellent choice for Pacific Northwest gardeners.
When should you plant Cascadia Red in your zone?
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Example Cascadia Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cascadia Red
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 Cascadia Red
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cascadia Red dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-8, especially excels in cool, humid zones 5-7
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and emerging true leaves
Maintain consistent moisture and 70-75°F temperatures. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksBushy, compact plants developing sturdy stems and multiple leaf sets; determinate growth habit evident
Support with stakes or cages early. Maintain consistent watering and avoid nitrogen overfeeding. Monitor for early signs of blight.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow flower clusters appear at leaf axils; plant reaches mature height
Ensure adequate phosphorus for fruit set. Keep foliage dry. Maintain steady water supply to prevent blossom end rot.
Fruiting
4-5 weeksSmall green fruits develop and enlarge; plant concentrated with 3-4 trusses typical for determinate type
Provide consistent watering. Prune lower leaves only after fruits set to improve air circulation. Watch for disease.
Harvest
2-3 weeksFruits ripen to deep red color; typically mature all at once due to determinate habit
Harvest at full red stage. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Use for sauce, canning, or fresh use.
Common Pests
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Remove infected leaves, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply copper fungicide if needed
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Space plants well, water at soil level only, remove lower leaves, apply chlorothalonil or mancozeb fungicide
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Cascadia Red has excellent resistance, but maintain good air circulation, avoid wetting foliage, remove affected plant parts immediately
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Hand-pick or scout regularly, encourage beneficial wasps, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if needed
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Yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
Uses
Sauce and Canning
CulinaryCascadia Red's thick, meaty flesh with low seed and water content makes it ideal for pasta sauce, tomato paste, and home canning. The concentrated flavor develops beautifully when cooked down. [source]
Fresh Cooking
CulinaryWhile a paste variety, ripe Cascadia Red tomatoes offer good flavor for fresh use, slicing, or dicing into salads and salsas when fully ripe. [source]
Lycopene Content
MedicinalRed tomatoes like Cascadia Red contain high levels of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with cardiovascular and prostate health. Lycopene is more bioavailable when tomatoes are cooked. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdCascadia Red is an open-pollinated variety, making it excellent for seed saving. Ferment seeds in water for 2-3 days, rinse, and dry thoroughly for storage and future planting. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe abundant yellow flowers attract beneficial bees and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity in the garden ecosystem. [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 are fully red and slightly soft to pressure, typically 75-85 days after transplanting. Because Cascadia Red is determinate, most fruits ripen within a concentrated 2-3 week window, making it ideal for sauce and canning operations. Harvest regularly to encourage continued ripening. For longer storage, pick slightly underripe fruit and ripen indoors. The thick flesh and low water content make this variety superior for processing.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cascadia Red was bred specifically by Oregon State University for the Pacific Northwest climate, making it one of the most reliable tomatoes for cool, wet growing regions.
- 🌱 This variety's superior disease resistance, particularly to late blight, makes it a favorite among organic and biodynamic gardeners who avoid fungicide use.
- 🌱 Because Cascadia Red is determinate and concentrates its harvest, commercial processors and home canners often plant them to achieve a single, abundant harvest perfect for bulk processing.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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