How to Grow Jubilee Tomato
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Jubilee Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Jubilee'
vegetableJubilee is an heirloom slicing tomato known for its large, golden-orange fruits with red interior striping, creating a striking bi-color appearance. Developed in the 1940s, it produces 8-12 oz fruits with excellent sweet flavor and relatively few seeds. The indeterminate vines are vigorous growers that produce fruit throughout the season.
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Example Jubilee Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Jubilee 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 Jubilee Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown as annual in zones 3-4 with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green seedlings with seed coat still attached, developing first true leaves after the cotyledons
Provide bright grow lights 2-3 inches above seedlings for 14-16 hours daily. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain 65-75°F. Begin fertilizing with half-strength liquid fertilizer when first true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeks after transplantingBushy plant with multiple sets of true leaves; no flowers yet. Rapid stem and leaf expansion
Harden off seedlings gradually (7-10 days) before transplanting. When 6-8 weeks old and 6-8 inches tall, transplant outdoors after last frost date and soil reaches 60°F. Provide sturdy support early. Indeterminate varieties benefit from pruning suckers (shoots between stem and branch) for air circulation.
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters; plant reaches full size. Bees and other pollinators visit flowers
Maintain consistent watering; inconsistent water causes blossom end rot and fruit splitting. Feed with balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-5). Ensure adequate stake or cage support. Monitor for early blight and prune lower diseased leaves.
Fruiting & Maturation
5-7 weeksSmall green marble-sized fruits develop, gradually swelling to full 8-12 oz size. Color begins orange-gold with red streaking as maturity approaches
Continue consistent watering and feeding every 2-3 weeks with low-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 2-7-7) to support fruiting rather than excessive foliage. Prune lower leaves and older foliage with disease signs for air circulation. Support heavy fruit clusters with twine.
Harvest & Continued Production
6-8+ weeks until frostRipe fruits develop full golden-orange exterior with red interior coloring visible. Indeterminate variety continues flowering and setting new fruit until frost
Harvest when fully colored but still slightly soft to the touch. Indeterminate types produce until first frost (around 100-120 days total from transplant). In fall, remove leaves above top fruit cluster to direct energy to ripening. Continue watering during dry spells.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick or apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps; inspect plants regularly, especially undersides of upper leaves
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Strong water spray from hose; yellow sticky traps; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Blast off with water; insecticidal soap; neem oil; introduce beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewings)
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Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch soil to prevent spore splash; apply copper fungicide or sulfur; practice crop rotation
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Remove infected plant parts immediately; improve air circulation and drainage; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; plant resistant varieties; avoid overhead watering
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Maintain consistent soil moisture with mulching; ensure adequate calcium via lime or gypsum amendment; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization
Uses
Fresh Slicing & Salads
CulinaryJubilee's large size, low seed content, and balanced sweet-tangy flavor make it ideal for thick-sliced sandwiches, caprese salads, and fresh preparations. The striking bi-color appearance adds visual appeal to any dish. [source]
Sauces & Cooking
CulinaryThe higher sugar content and lower seed/gel ratio compared to processing tomatoes make Jubilee suitable for sauces, salsas, and cooked preparations, though it is not the optimal choice for purely commercial sauce production. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdAs a true-breeding heirloom variety, Jubilee seeds can be saved and grown true-to-type year after year. Ferment seeds to remove gel coating, dry thoroughly, and store in cool, dry conditions for future seasons. [source]
Antioxidant-Rich Food
MedicinalJubilee tomatoes, particularly with their golden coloring, contain lycopene and other carotenoids and flavonoids associated with cardiovascular and antioxidant health benefits. [source]
Pollinator Attractant
WildlifeThe abundant yellow flowers of indeterminate Jubilee plants attract bees, hoverflies, and other pollinating insects throughout the season, supporting garden biodiversity and 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
Harvest when fruit is fully golden-orange with red striping and yields slightly to gentle pressure. Jubilee can be harvested at the 'breaker stage' (first hints of color) and ripened indoors at room temperature for up to 2-3 weeks. For peak flavor, allow full ripening on the vine. As an indeterminate variety, it produces continuously until frost—pinch off new flower clusters 6-8 weeks before first expected frost to direct energy to ripening remaining fruit.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Jubilee was developed in 1947 by Dr. Dorsey and released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; it was one of the first widely distributed bi-color heirloom tomato varieties for home gardeners.
- 🌱 The golden-orange exterior color comes from elevated levels of carotenoids, while the red interior streaking is from lycopene—a striking visual result of the different pigment distributions throughout the fruit.
- 🌱 Jubilee is notably disease-tolerant for an heirloom variety, making it more reliable than many other open-pollinated tomatoes in humid or challenging climates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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