How to Grow DeGroot's Golden
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DeGroot's Golden
Solanum lycopersicum 'DeGroot's Golden'
vegetableDeGroot's Golden is a golden-yellow heirloom tomato variety known for its sweet, mild flavor and smooth, globe-shaped fruits. This indeterminate vine produces medium-sized tomatoes (4-6 oz) that are prized for their rich taste and versatility in cooking. The plant is a reliable producer with good disease resistance and a long growing season.
When should you plant DeGroot's Golden in your zone?
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Example DeGroot's Golden timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant DeGroot's Golden
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 DeGroot's Golden
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact DeGroot's Golden dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-10; can be grown in zone 3-4 with season extension techniques
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Seedling
2-3 weeksYoung plants develop 2-4 true leaves and establish a small root system. Cotyledons (seed leaves) are round; true leaves are serrated and lance-shaped.
Provide bright light (14-16 hours), maintain soil moisture but avoid waterlogging, keep temperature 70-75°F. Thin seedlings if overcrowded.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks indoors; 2-3 weeks after transplanting outdoors before floweringPlant develops multiple stems, more leaves, and grows taller. No flowers yet; focus is on foliage and branch structure. Plant becomes bushy if pruned or remains vine-like if left unpruned.
Transplant to larger containers as needed. Begin hardening off 1-2 weeks before outdoor planting. Provide sturdy support structure (cage or stakes). Begin light fertilizing every 2 weeks.
Flowering
3-4 weeksClusters of small yellow flowers (inflorescences) appear along main stems. Flowers are self-pollinating and bloom in succession over several weeks.
Maintain consistent watering and temperature (65-75°F nights). Light pruning of suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) redirects energy to fruit production. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers; switch to phosphorus-rich formula.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop at flower clusters. Fruits gradually enlarge and begin color transition to pale green, then yellow-gold as they ripen. Multiple trusses fruit simultaneously.
Continue consistent watering; irregular watering causes fruit cracking. Provide shade cloth if temperatures exceed 85°F to prevent sun scalding. Maintain steady phosphorus and potassium levels. Remove lower leaves (once fruits set above) to improve air circulation.
Harvest & Maturity
Until first frost (ongoing throughout season)Fruits reach full golden-yellow color and slight softness when ripe. Plants continue producing new flower clusters and fruit throughout the season until frost.
Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Can pick fruits at 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) to ripen indoors if needed. Continue deadheading spent flower clusters.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; encourage parasitic wasps; inspect plants regularly.
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Use row covers; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects; yellow sticky traps.
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Increase humidity; spray with water forcefully; use miticide or insecticidal soap; maintain plant health to reduce susceptibility.
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and
(fungal diseases)
Plant resistant varieties; remove infected lower leaves; mulch to prevent soil splash; ensure good air circulation; water at soil level; apply sulfur or copper fungicide if needed.
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Maintain consistent soil moisture; add lime to raise calcium levels; mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture.
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryThe sweet, mild flavor of DeGroot's Golden makes it ideal for eating fresh, slicing for salads, and garnishing plates. The golden color provides visual appeal and a milder acidic profile than red tomatoes. [source]
Sauce and preserves
CulinaryThe high sugar content makes these tomatoes excellent for making golden tomato sauce, jam, and preserves. When cooked down, they develop a rich, concentrated flavor. [source]
Canning and storage
CulinaryDeGroot's Golden stores well when picked at breaker stage and ripened indoors. Suitable for canning as whole fruits, sauce, or juice due to their firm flesh and low pectin content. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an heirloom open-pollinated variety, DeGroot's Golden is perfect for seed saving. Collect seeds from fully ripe fruits, ferment them to remove germination inhibitors, dry thoroughly, and store for future seasons. [source]
Natural dyes and coloring
HouseholdThe golden pigments in ripe fruits can be used to create natural fabric dyes or natural food colorings, producing warm yellow and golden hues. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pick fruits when fully golden-yellow and slightly yielding to gentle pressure (usually 75-85 days after transplanting). DeGroot's Golden is an indeterminate variety, so it produces continuously until frost—harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage more blooming. Fruits can be picked at the 'breaker stage' (first color change) and ripened indoors at 70°F on a counter. Harvesting ripe fruits encourages the plant to set more fruit.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 DeGroot's Golden is an heirloom variety that has been grown for generations, particularly valued in European and Dutch gardening traditions for its exceptional sweet flavor and disease resistance.
- 🌱 The variety is technically indeterminate, meaning it will continue growing and producing fruit throughout the season until killed by frost, potentially reaching 6-8 feet tall in ideal conditions.
- 🌱 Golden-yellow tomatoes like DeGroot's contain lower levels of lycopene (the red pigment) but are rich in beta-carotene and other beneficial compounds, offering different nutritional benefits than red varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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