How to Grow Impressa Tomato
Wikimedia Commons
Impressa Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Impressa'
vegetableImpressa is a determinate paste tomato variety known for its uniform, elongated Roma-type fruits and reliable production. Bred for fresh market and processing use, it produces medium-sized fruits with dense flesh ideal for sauces and canning. This modern cultivar is prized for disease resistance and consistent yields.
When should you plant Impressa Tomato in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Impressa Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Impressa Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Impressa Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Impressa Tomato 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 season extension
Sign up free to see if Impressa Tomato grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Impressa Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedling with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerging, followed by first true leaves
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light. Maintain temperature 65-75°F. Thin to strongest seedling if multiple emerge.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingPlant develops true leaves, robust stem, and branch structure. Impressa's determinate nature means compact, bush-like growth
Harden off transplants before moving outside. Plant deeply to bury stem. Space 24-36 inches apart. Apply mulch after soil warms. Begin staking/caging early.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow flower clusters appear at leaf axils. Flowers are small and self-fertile, developing into small green fruits
Maintain consistent watering to prevent flower drop. Ensure adequate calcium intake. Do not over-fertilize nitrogen. Support developing fruit clusters with stakes or cages.
Fruiting
4-5 weeksSmall green fruits enlarge and mature to uniform elongated Roma shape. Fruits transition from green to red over 3-4 weeks
Water consistently to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Continue mulching. Prune lower leaves only after fruit set to improve air circulation. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer.
Harvest
3-6 weeks of continuous pickingFruits reach full red color, becoming slightly soft to gentle pressure. Ripe fruits are ready for picking
Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Pick when fully red for best flavor. Continue watering during harvest period.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps
-
Spray with insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch; encourage beneficial insects
-
Regular misting; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; remove heavily infested leaves
-
Mulch soil; remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; water at soil level only
-
Remove infected foliage immediately; apply chlorothalonil or copper-based fungicides; ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering
-
Remove affected leaves; apply fungicide; improve air circulation; stake for ventilation; mulch to prevent soil splash
Uses
Sauce & Canning
CulinaryImpressa's high solids content and meaty flesh make it exceptional for tomato sauce, paste, and canning projects. The uniform shape and concentrated harvest window suit bulk processing and preservation. [source]
Fresh Cooking
CulinaryExcellent for fresh slicing, roasting, and cooking. The balanced acid and sugar content provides good flavor for salsas, soups, and cooked dishes. [source]
Food Preservation
HouseholdPerfect for home canning, freezing, and drying due to consistent texture and flavor. Many home gardeners grow Impressa specifically for preserving large harvests. [source]
Nutritional Benefits
MedicinalRich in lycopene, vitamin C, and potassium, supporting heart health and antioxidant protection. Red tomatoes provide bioavailable nutrients especially when cooked. [source]
Seed Saving
CraftAs a hybrid (F1) variety, saved seeds may not produce identical plants, but seeds can be saved for experimentation or learning seed-saving techniques. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits are fully red and slightly soft. Impressa's determinate nature means fruits mature in concentrated window, ideal for canning. Pick regularly to maintain production. Can harvest at breaker stage (first blush of color) if needed and ripen indoors. For processing, wait for full color development.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Impressa's 'determinate' growth habit means all or most fruit ripens within a 2-4 week window, making it the preferred choice for commercial canneries and home bulk-processing enthusiasts.
- 🌱 The variety was specifically bred for disease resistance, particularly to verticillium and fusarium wilt, making it more reliable in challenging growing conditions than heirloom varieties.
- 🌱 When tomatoes are cooked (as in sauce-making), lycopene becomes more bioavailable to the human body, meaning processed Impressa tomato products may be more nutritious than fresh consumption.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Impressa Tomato planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Impressa Tomato seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Impressa Tomato timeline →