How to Grow Corrie's Gold
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Corrie's Gold
Solanum lycopersicum 'Corrie's Gold'
vegetableCorrie's Gold is a golden-yellow heirloom tomato variety known for its rich, complex flavor and smooth, meaty flesh. This indeterminate vine produces medium to large fruits with exceptional sweetness and a distinctive tropical fruit character. It's a favorite among gardeners seeking unique-colored tomatoes with superior taste.
When should you plant Corrie's Gold in your zone?
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Example Corrie's Gold timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Corrie's Gold
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 Corrie's Gold
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Corrie's Gold 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 protection and extended season strategies
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Get my Corrie's Gold timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling (Weeks 1-3)
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, pale green cotyledons visible initially
Provide bright, consistent light 14-16 hours daily; keep soil moist but not waterlogged; maintain 70-75°F; begin air circulation with a gentle fan at week 2
Vegetative Growth (Weeks 4-8 after transplant)
4-5 weeksVigorous vine growth with multiple stems and leaves; plant becomes bushy and tall; no flowers yet
Transplant to larger pots as needed; begin hardening off 7-10 days before field planting; support with stakes or cages early; pinch side shoots if desired for single-stem training
Flowering (Weeks 9-12 after transplant)
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters; plant reaches full height; vigorous foliage production continues
Ensure consistent watering and adequate calcium; maintain 1-2 inches of mulch; begin fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer; support heavy vine growth with sturdy stakes or cages
Fruiting & Development (Weeks 13-18+ after transplant)
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flowers; gradually enlarge and turn golden-yellow when mature; vine remains productive
Maintain consistent watering to prevent cracking; prune lower leaves as fruits mature for air circulation; continue fertilizing; harvest regularly to encourage continued production
Harvest & Late Season (Weeks 19+ after transplant)
4-8 weeks until frostMature golden fruits ready for picking; plant continues producing until frost; fruits maintain quality throughout season
Pick fruits at full color for best flavor; harvest before first frost; reduce watering slightly as season ends; continue pruning lower foliage to minimize disease
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); neem oil as last resort
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Increase humidity with water sprays; insecticidal soap; neem oil; ensure adequate air circulation
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulch; strong water spray
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Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; copper fungicide; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected foliage; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; fixed copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; resistant varieties
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No cure; remove infected plants; practice crop rotation; solarize soil; plant resistant varieties next season
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryExceptional flavor for eating fresh, slicing into salads, or serving at the table. The meaty texture and complex sweet-tropical notes make it a premium choice for simple preparations. [source]
Sauce and preservation
CulinaryHigh solids content makes it suitable for sauces, salsas, and canning. The rich flavor concentrates during cooking for deep, complex sauces. [source]
Specialty cooking
CulinaryGolden color and unique flavor profile work beautifully in gourmet dishes, charcuterie boards, and restaurant-quality presentations. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an open-pollinated heirloom variety, Corrie's Gold is ideal for saving seeds year to year. Seeds are stable and will produce true-to-type plants. [source]
Garden aesthetics
HouseholdThe striking golden-yellow color provides visual interest and garden appeal, creating beautiful contrast with red and orange varieties. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pick fruits at full golden-yellow color for optimal sweetness and flavor development; fruits continue to ripen off the vine if picked at mature green stage; harvest regularly to encourage continued production; twist gently or use pruning shears to avoid damaging vines; store at room temperature, not refrigerated, to preserve flavor
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Corrie's Gold is named after Corrie Becker, a passionate seed saver and heirloom tomato enthusiast who helped preserve and popularize this variety
- 🌱 The golden color comes from natural carotenoid pigments, the same compounds that give carrots and butternut squash their orange hue, and these compounds have antioxidant properties
- 🌱 As an indeterminate variety, Corrie's Gold can reach 6-8 feet tall and will continue producing fruit until frost, sometimes yielding 100+ fruits per plant in ideal conditions
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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