How to Grow Intrigue

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Intrigue

Solanum lycopersicum 'Intrigue'

vegetable

Intrigue is a determinate tomato variety bred for disease resistance and compact growth, making it ideal for containers and small spaces. It produces medium-sized fruits with excellent flavor and disease tolerance, particularly resistant to late blight and early blight. This cultivar is popular among home gardeners seeking reliability and productivity in challenging growing conditions.

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Example Intrigue timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Intrigue
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Intrigue
Around Jun 21

≈ 65 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️

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

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water at soil level to reduce disease. Avoid overhead watering. More frequent watering needed in containers.

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 65-75 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Bury seedlings deep; plant stem up to first true leaves indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, then transplant outdoors after last frost date

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) calcium source (gypsum or crushed eggshells for blossom end rot prevention)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10; grow as annual in all zones

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and developing true leaves. Growth is slow and delicate.

Maintain 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Maintain 70-75°F. Thin to strongest seedlings. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation.

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple sets of true leaves, grows 4-6 inches tall, and becomes bushier. Determinate growth pattern becomes apparent.

Provide consistent light (14-16 hours). Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting. Transplant to larger containers if needed. Begin low-nitrogen fertilization to encourage root development. Watch for aphids and whiteflies indoors.

Pre-flowering & Establishment

1-2 weeks before transplant

Plant reaches transplant size (6-8 inches), first flower buds may form. Compact, determinate growth pattern is evident.

Harden off thoroughly over 7-10 days before outdoor planting. Transplant after last frost and soil has warmed (55°F+). Space 24-36 inches apart. Install support stakes or cages early. Apply mulch (2-3 inches) after planting to regulate soil temperature and moisture.

Flowering & Fruit Set

3-4 weeks

Plant produces clusters of yellow flowers and begins setting small green fruits. Flowering occurs in waves throughout the season due to determinate nature.

Maintain consistent watering; fluctuations cause blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Provide balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer (5-10-10). Prune only if necessary to improve air circulation; determinate varieties need less pruning. Watch for early blight, late blight, and spider mites. Ensure adequate calcium intake.

Fruiting & Harvest

4-6 weeks or until first frost

Fruits develop to mature size and gradually change from green to red, indicating ripeness. Determinate varieties concentrate ripening, producing heavy yields over 2-3 weeks.

Continue consistent watering and balanced feeding. Pick fruits at first blush of color (breaker stage) or fully red depending on preference. Remove lower leaves if needed for air circulation in humid climates. Monitor for late blight in cool, wet weather. Harvest frequently to encourage continued production.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil carrot parsley onion garlic marigold nasturtium borage cucumber

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage broccoli Brussels sprouts kale fennel potato brassicas

Common Pests

Hand-pick early in morning; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if necessary
Prune lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; use copper or sulfur fungicides; avoid overhead watering
This variety has disease resistance; ensure good air flow; remove infected leaves immediately; use fungicides containing chlorothalonil or fixed copper in wet conditions
Spray forcefully with water; increase humidity; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; predatory mites help control
Spray with water; introduce ladybugs or lacewings; use insecticidal soap or neem oil
Yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch; neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasps

Uses

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Fresh eating and salads

Culinary

Intrigue tomatoes have excellent flavor and firm texture suitable for slicing, dicing in salads, or eating fresh off the vine. The medium size makes them ideal for individual portions. [source]

🍳

Sauces and cooking

Culinary

Their balanced acid and sugar content makes them suitable for sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes. The compact plant size makes them practical for urban gardeners wanting usable yields. [source]

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Antioxidant source

Medicinal

Tomatoes contain lycopene and other carotenoids with antioxidant properties. Cooking tomatoes increases bioavailability of lycopene for health benefits. [source]

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Container gardening

Household

The determinate, compact growth habit makes Intrigue ideal for containers, patios, and small spaces where full-size indeterminate varieties won't fit. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The yellow flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators that support broader garden productivity and health. [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 fruits when they reach full size and show color development. Best flavor develops at full ripeness (deep red). Harvest frequently (every 2-3 days) to encourage continued production. For long-term storage, pick at breaker stage (first blush of color) and ripen indoors at 68-72°F. Determinate varieties produce most fruit within a concentrated 3-4 week window. Cut fruits gently with pruners rather than twisting to avoid damaging the plant.

Fun Facts

🌱 Intrigue was developed specifically for disease resistance to late blight, the disease that caused the Irish Potato Famine—breeders sought to create reliable tomato varieties even in challenging, humid conditions.
🌱 The determinate growth habit means the plant sets most of its fruit at once, making it ideal for simultaneous harvesting for canning, sauce-making, or processing.
🌱 Tomatoes are technically berries and can be propagated from seed that germinates inside the fruit; some gardeners save seeds from Intrigue for the next season (though commercial hybrids may not breed true).

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Damping Off Full Sun Mulch pH Transplant True Leaves

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