How to Grow Fandango Tomato

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Fandango Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Fandango'

vegetable

Fandango is a hybrid determinate tomato variety bred for disease resistance and reliable production in challenging conditions. It produces medium-sized, flavorful red fruits and is particularly noted for its exceptional resistance to late blight, a devastating fungal disease. This variety is ideal for gardeners seeking dependable yields with built-in disease protection.

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

Plant Fandango Tomato
Around Apr 17

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

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

≈ 70 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred)

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Water: Consistent moisture, approximately 1-2 inches per week. Water deeply and regularly, avoiding wetting foliage to prevent disease. More critical during fruiting stage.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-80 days from transplant

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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; plant transplants deeply, burying stem up to first true leaves

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) calcium (crushed eggshells or lime to prevent blossom end rot)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension techniques

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with 2 cotyledon leaves followed by first true leaves; very delicate

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide 12-14 hours of bright light daily. Maintain 70-75°F temperature. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Plants develop multiple sets of true leaves and grow rapidly; stems thicken and root system expands

Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions (hardening off) over 7-10 days before transplanting. Plant deeply to encourage strong root development. Begin staking or caging early. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters (trusses). Plants are bushy and robust with many flower buds forming

Maintain consistent watering and avoid temperature fluctuations. Ensure adequate calcium intake to prevent blossom end rot. Support branches with stakes or cages as they become heavy. Pollination occurs naturally via wind and insects.

Fruiting & Maturation

3-4 weeks

Small green fruits develop and progressively ripen, turning red over time. Plants become heavily laden with fruit clusters

Increase watering frequency and maintain consistent moisture to prevent fruit cracking and disease. Apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture. Prune lower leaves once fruits form to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. Continue feeding with balanced or slightly lower-nitrogen fertilizer.

Harvest

4-6 weeks of peak harvest

Fruits reach full size and deep red color; ready to pick when fully ripe but still firm

Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Pick fruits at the 'breaker stage' (when color first breaks from green) to ripen indoors if needed. Continue harvesting until first frost. Remove dead or diseased foliage promptly.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Borage Carrot Onion Marigold Nasturtium Chives

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Fennel Potatoes Kohlrabi Other nightshades in close proximity

Common Pests

Hand-pick caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps (look for cocoons on hornworms); use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if needed
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects; use yellow sticky traps
Increase humidity and spray foliage with water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; release predatory mites
Remove infected leaves immediately; mulch to prevent soil splash; ensure good air circulation; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide if severe
Remove and destroy infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide if needed

Uses

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Fresh Eating & Slicing

Culinary

Fandango tomatoes produce medium-sized fruits (4-6 oz) with excellent flavor suitable for salads, sandwiches, and fresh preparations. The balanced sweetness and acidity make them versatile for any fresh tomato application. [source]

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Sauce & Cooking

Culinary

These tomatoes have good flesh density and moderate water content, making them suitable for sauces, soups, and cooked dishes. Their reliability across diverse conditions ensures consistent quality for preserving. [source]

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Nutritional Health

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to cardiovascular and prostate health, particularly abundant in red varieties like Fandango. They also provide vitamin C, potassium, and folate. [source]

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Home Preservation

Household

Fandango's concentrated harvest period and reliable yields make it ideal for canning, freezing, and making tomato paste, sauce, or salsa at home. [source]

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Garden Ecosystem Support

Wildlife

The abundant flowers attract pollinators including bees and butterflies, supporting the broader garden ecosystem while ensuring good fruit set. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick tomatoes when fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. Fandango produces determinate fruit, meaning most ripen within a concentrated window. Begin harvesting when the first fruits reach full red color. For best flavor, allow to ripen on the vine. Store at room temperature, not refrigerated, to preserve flavor. Continue harvesting until the first frost.

Fun Facts

🌱 Fandango was specifically bred to resist late blight (Phytophthora infestans), the same pathogen that caused the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1852, making it a disease-resistant workhorse variety.
🌱 The variety is determinate, meaning it grows to a fixed size and produces most of its fruit in a concentrated timeframe, making it ideal for canning and preservation projects.
🌱 Burying tomato transplants deeply encourages additional roots to form along the buried stem, creating a more robust root system that increases drought tolerance and nutrient uptake.

Gardening Terms

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

Damping Off Full Sun Hardening Off Hybrid Mulch Pollination Transplant True Leaves

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