How to Grow Delaware Valley Pink Tomato
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Delaware Valley Pink Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Delaware Valley Pink'
vegetableDelaware Valley Pink is a heirloom determinate tomato variety known for its smooth, pink fruits and exceptional flavor. Originally developed in the Delaware Valley region, it produces medium-sized fruits (6-8 oz) with a rich, sweet taste and meaty texture. This classic cultivar is prized by home gardeners for its reliability and consistent productivity.
When should you plant Delaware Valley Pink Tomato in your zone?
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Example Delaware Valley Pink Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Delaware Valley Pink Tomato
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 Delaware Valley Pink Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; can succeed in zone 3 with season extension techniques
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2 seed leaves (cotyledons) and the first true leaves emerging
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily; maintain 65-75°F temperature
Vegetative
3-4 weeks from transplantBushy young plants with multiple sets of true leaves; no flowers yet
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting; bury stem deeply when planting outside; pinch off lower leaves once in ground
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters; plant becomes bushier and more robust
Provide consistent watering and balanced fertilizer; stake or cage determinate plants early; ensure proper pollination by gentle shaking
Fruiting
3-4 weeksGreen marble-sized fruits develop and gradually enlarge to full size (6-8 oz)
Maintain consistent water supply to prevent cracking or blossom end rot; prune excessive foliage only to increase air circulation; reduce nitrogen to encourage ripening
Harvest
2-4 weeks of peak productionFruits turn pink and become fully ripe; skin yields slightly to gentle pressure
Harvest at full pink color for best flavor; can pick slightly early and ripen indoors if frost threatens; continue watering until final harvest
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick; introduce parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray
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Yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove heavily infested leaves
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Strong water spray; neem oil; insecticidal soap; encourage ladybugs
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Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper or sulfur fungicide
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide; remove infected plants
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryDelaware Valley Pink's meaty, sweet flesh and mild acidity make it ideal for eating fresh, slicing for sandwiches, or adding to salads. The excellent flavor is best enjoyed raw or lightly cooked. [source]
Sauce and preserve making
CulinaryThe flesh texture and flavor make this variety suitable for sauces, paste, and preserving. Many gardeners make marinara, salsa, and canned products with this reliable heirloom. [source]
Canning and storage
CulinaryDelaware Valley Pink's determinate habit and concentrated ripening make it practical for home canning. The medium size fits well in quart jars for whole or halved preservation. [source]
Seed saving
HouseholdAs an heirloom open-pollinated variety, Delaware Valley Pink is an excellent choice for seed saving. Gardeners can harvest seeds from ripe fruits and grow identical plants in future seasons. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting biodiversity while ensuring good fruit set on your tomato plants. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pick tomatoes when fully pink and slightly soft; harvest in the morning for best flavor; mature fruit ripens off the vine, so you can pick at pink stage if needed; continue harvesting until first frost; to extend season, pull entire plant and hang in cool location to ripen remaining fruit
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Delaware Valley Pink is a deterministic variety, meaning it grows to a set size and produces most of its fruit in a concentrated period, making it ideal for canning projects and succession planting.
- 🌱 This heirloom cultivar dates back to early 20th-century American seed catalogs and was particularly popular in Pennsylvania and New Jersey's agricultural communities.
- 🌱 Unlike many pink tomatoes, Delaware Valley Pink produces fruits with relatively few seeds and dense, meaty flesh, making it unusual among pink-fruited varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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