How to Grow Laguna
Wikimedia Commons
Laguna
Solanum lycopersicum 'Laguna'
vegetableLaguna is a determinate (bush-type) tomato variety bred specifically for disease resistance and reliability in challenging growing conditions. It produces medium-sized, round red fruits with good flavor and is particularly valued for its exceptional resistance to late blight and other fungal diseases. This variety is excellent for gardeners in humid climates or those seeking low-maintenance, disease-resistant tomato production.
When should you plant Laguna 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 Laguna timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Laguna
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Laguna
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Laguna dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9, though can be grown in cooler zones (3-4) as an annual with season extension
Sign up free to see if Laguna grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Laguna timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plant with 2 cotyledons (seed leaves) emerges, followed by first true leaves with tomato leaf shape.
Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily under grow lights). Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain 70-75°F daytime temperature. Begin fertilizing weekly with diluted liquid fertilizer once true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops stronger stem, multiple sets of true leaves, and establishes root system. Plant grows 6-12 inches tall before being hardened off and transplanted outdoors.
Gradually increase light exposure. Continue consistent watering and weekly fertilizing. Once seedlings have 2-3 sets of true leaves, pot up to larger containers. Harden off for 7-10 days before planting in garden (expose to outdoor conditions gradually).
Flowering
3-4 weeksPlant produces yellow flowers in clusters (indeterminate-like trusses even though determinate). Laguna is determinate, so flowering occurs more concentrated in time than indeterminate varieties.
Maintain consistent watering and fertilize every 7-10 days with balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer to encourage fruit set. Avoid over-nitrogen which promotes foliage over flowers. Ensure adequate pollination through wind or hand-pollination if needed.
Fruiting & Maturation
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop and enlarge. Fruits gradually change from green to pink to full red as they ripen. Plant reaches mature height (typically 3-4 feet for this determinate variety) and focuses energy on fruit ripening.
Maintain steady watering to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Continue fertilizing every 10-14 days with lower nitrogen formula. As determinate plant, may benefit from light pruning of excessive foliage to improve air circulation and disease resistance. Monitor for late blight and powdery mildew given this variety's disease focus.
Harvest
4-8 weeks (concentrated harvest period typical for determinate)Fruits are fully red, slightly soft to gentle pressure, and ready for picking. Determinate varieties often produce most fruit in concentrated window.
Pick fruits at full red color for best flavor. Can harvest at pink stage if frost threatens. Continue watering and support plants as needed. Late blight resistance is this variety's strength, but monitor for other issues.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick large caterpillars, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for larvae, plant borage to attract beneficial insects
-
Use reflective mulch, spray with insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators, use yellow sticky traps
-
Increase humidity, spray with water to dislodge, use neem oil or sulfur spray, ensure adequate air circulation
-
Spray with strong water jet, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, plant alyssum to attract hoverflies
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryLaguna tomatoes are medium-sized, round fruits with balanced sweet-tart flavor and firm texture, making them ideal for fresh eating, slicing into salads, and sandwiches. Their disease resistance makes them reliable for consistent quality throughout the season. [source]
Cooking and sauces
CulinaryThe meaty flesh and good acid balance make Laguna suitable for cooking down into sauces, soups, and stews. The concentrated harvest makes it ideal for batch cooking and preservation. [source]
Nutrient-rich superfood
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with heart health and reduced cancer risk. Fresh Laguna tomatoes provide bioavailable vitamins C and K, potassium, and beneficial plant compounds. [source]
Disease-resistant gardening
HouseholdLaguna was specifically bred for late blight resistance and overall disease hardiness, making it an excellent choice for organic gardeners, humid climates, and those seeking reduced pesticide use without sacrificing productivity. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Growing Laguna in conjunction with companion plantings like basil and borage creates a beneficial insect habitat that supports overall garden 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 at full red color for best taste and sweetness, usually 70-80 days after transplanting. Gently twist and lift fruit from vine, or use pruning shears to avoid damaging plant. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. For determinate varieties like Laguna, expect concentrated harvest period over 3-4 weeks rather than continuous production. Can harvest at breaker stage (first blush of color) if frost threatens and ripen indoors.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Laguna was developed in the 1980s-1990s specifically for European markets, particularly designed to handle the wet, humid conditions and late blight pressure common in regions like Ireland and Scotland, making it one of the most disease-resistant determinate varieties available.
- 🌱 Despite being a determinate (bush) tomato that concentrates its harvest, Laguna can still produce 10-15 pounds of fruit per plant in a single season under good conditions, making it highly productive for canning and preserving projects.
- 🌱 The name 'Laguna' is a reference to a Spanish word meaning 'lake' or 'lagoon,' reflecting the variety's European breeding heritage and suitability for rainy, water-rich growing conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Laguna planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Laguna 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 Laguna timeline →