How to Grow Crown Series Tomato

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Crown Series Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Crown Series'

vegetable

Crown Series is a hybrid indeterminate tomato variety known for its large, flavorful fruits and disease resistance. Developed for commercial and home gardens, it produces generous yields of globe-shaped tomatoes with excellent taste and shelf life.

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Example Crown Series Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Crown Series Tomato
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Crown Series Tomato
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Crown Series Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best fruiting

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Water: Consistent moisture is critical; water deeply 1-2 inches per week, more during heat stress. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are ideal to minimize disease. Mulch to retain moisture.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-85 days from transplant to first ripe fruit

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Planting depth: Bury transplant stem up to first true leaves; roots will develop along buried stem

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coco coir Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) Calcium (gypsum or crushed eggshells) to prevent blossom-end rot

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-10; best performance in zones 5-9 with warm, frost-free growing seasons

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

6-8 weeks

Small 2-4 inch seedlings with cotyledons and first true leaves emerging

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily) under grow lights. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Maintain 70-75°F temperature.

Transplant & Establishment

2-3 weeks

6-12 inch plants with 4-6 true leaves ready for hardening off and field planting after last frost

Harden off over 7-10 days by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions. Plant deep (bury stem up to first leaves). Space 24 inches apart. Water thoroughly at planting.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Rapid stem and foliage development; plant reaches 3-6 feet tall. Suckers and side shoots develop between main stem and branches

Install stakes or cages early. Prune suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) on indeterminate types to direct energy. Water consistently. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks or use slow-release fertilizer.

Flowering & Fruit Set

3-4 weeks

Yellow flowers bloom in clusters; small green fruit forms after pollination. Multiple flower clusters appear simultaneously along stems

Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. Switch to lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer to support fruiting. Avoid over-pruning foliage; leaves protect fruit from sunscald. Thin fruit to 4-6 per cluster for larger individual tomatoes.

Fruiting & Harvest

6-12 weeks until frost

Fruit matures from green to full color (typically red for Crown Series). Multiple fruits at various stages ripen continuously on indeterminate plant

Continue deep, consistent watering. As temperatures exceed 85-90°F, provide afternoon shade cloth if needed to prevent sun damage and improve color development. Prune lower foliage once fruit is set to improve air circulation and reduce disease. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Marigold Carrot Parsley Borage Nasturtium Garlic Spinach

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Kohlrabi Other nightshades (pepper, eggplant) — to reduce pest/disease concentration Walnut trees

Common Pests

Hand-pick caterpillars daily. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray when small. Encourage parasitic wasps by planting flowering herbs nearby.
Use yellow sticky traps. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly. Maintain good air circulation. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity. Spray neem oil or horticultural oil. Use predatory mites if severe.
Remove infected lower leaves promptly. Avoid overhead watering; use drip irrigation. Apply copper fungicide. Improve air circulation with pruning.
Prune lower foliage (12 inches from ground). Remove infected leaves immediately. Apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide. Avoid working plants when wet.
Maintain consistent soil moisture with mulch. Add calcium amendments before planting. Water deeply and regularly; avoid drought stress.

Uses

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Fresh eating and slicing

Culinary

Crown Series produces large, meaty fruits ideal for slicing on sandwiches, in salads, or eating fresh. The excellent flavor and low seed cavity make them superior for fresh use compared to many commercial varieties. [source]

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Sauces and canning

Culinary

The dense flesh and disease resistance make Crown Series suitable for making tomato sauce, soup, and preserves. Good yield and shelf life support home canning and preservation projects. [source]

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Cooking and processing

Culinary

Crown Series tomatoes hold their shape well when cooked and work excellent in stews, curries, and roasted vegetable dishes. The balanced acidity and sweetness enhance cooked dishes. [source]

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Antioxidant-rich nutrition

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and vitamin C, compounds linked to heart health and reduced cancer risk. Regular consumption of ripe tomatoes supports overall wellness and immune function. [source]

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Natural cleaning and compost

Household

Spent tomato plants and overripe fruit can be added to compost piles to enrich soil. Tomato leaves contain compounds that deter certain pests and insects in the 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

Crown Series tomatoes typically turn deep red when fully ripe (70-85 days from transplant). Harvest at full color for peak sweetness and flavor. Twist gently and pull, or cut with a knife to avoid damaging vines. For longer storage, harvest at 'breaker stage' (first color showing) and ripen indoors. Vine-ripened tomatoes are more flavorful. Pick regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season.

Fun Facts

🌱 Crown Series is a hybrid indeterminate variety, meaning it continues growing and producing fruit until frost. A single plant can produce 100+ fruits in a season under ideal conditions.
🌱 Tomatoes are botanically fruits but legally classified as vegetables in the United States following a Supreme Court ruling in 1893. Crown Series produces true berries by botanical definition.
🌱 The term 'crown' in the variety name may reference the distinctive crown-like calyx (leafy sepals) on top of the fruit, which is a hallmark of this variety's appearance.

Gardening Terms

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

Crown Full Sun Hardening Off Hybrid Mulch pH Pollination Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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