How to Grow Legacy Tomato
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Legacy Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Legacy'
vegetableLegacy is a determinate, disease-resistant tomato variety bred by Cornell University, known for its exceptional resistance to late blight and other common fungal diseases. It produces medium-sized, flavorful red fruits on compact plants, making it ideal for both home gardeners and commercial growers concerned about disease pressure. The variety was developed specifically for organic and sustainable farming practices.
When should you plant Legacy Tomato in your zone?
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Example Legacy Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Legacy 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 Legacy Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Legacy Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; can be grown in zones 3-10 with proper care
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Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, cotyledons still visible. Tender and fragile.
Maintain 70-75°F temperature, provide bright light 14-16 hours daily, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, avoid damping off with good air circulation
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingRapid stem and leaf development, plants growing 6-12 inches tall, multiple true leaves forming, bushy appearance typical of determinate type
Harden off before transplanting, plant deeply to encourage root development, support with stakes or cages early, remove lower leaves as plant grows, maintain consistent watering and fertilization
Flowering
2-3 weeksFirst flower clusters appear on main stem and side shoots, yellow flowers open in succession, plant reaches near-full height for determinate type (3-4 feet)
Ensure adequate calcium to prevent blossom end rot, maintain even moisture, switch to lower nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus), prune suckers on determinate varieties sparingly, pollinate flowers if indoors or in poor pollination conditions
Fruiting
3-4 weeksTiny green fruits developing behind fallen flowers, fruits enlarging rapidly, multiple fruit sets along main stem characteristic of determinate growth
Support branches with additional ties or supports as fruit weight increases, maintain mulch layer, continue consistent deep watering, feed with balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer, watch for early blight and late blight and apply preventive sprays
Ripening & Harvest
2-3 weeks until first frost or plant senescenceFruits turning from green to orange to deep red, full flavor developing, plant may slow growth as energy focuses on fruiting
Harvest ripe fruits to encourage continued production, reduce nitrogen input, maintain disease prevention practices, harvest green fruits before frost if needed and ripen indoors, continue deep watering for even ripening
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick larvae, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), encourage parasitic wasps, plant dill or parsley nearby
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Spray with water to dislodge, use neem oil or insecticidal soap, maintain humidity, remove heavily infested leaves
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators, remove heavily infested foliage
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Spray with water, use neem oil or insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs or lacewings, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
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Legacy has strong resistance, but apply copper or sulfur fungicides preventively in wet conditions, remove affected foliage, improve air circulation, water at soil level only
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Remove lower infected leaves, apply sulfur or chlorothalonil, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent spore splash, practice crop rotation
Uses
Fresh Eating & Slicing
CulinaryLegacy produces medium-sized fruits (4-6 oz) with balanced sweet-tart flavor ideal for slicing into salads, sandwiches, and fresh dishes. The firm flesh holds up well to slicing without excessive juice loss. [source]
Sauce & Preserves
CulinaryWith its concentrated harvest and good solids content, Legacy is excellent for making tomato sauce, paste, salsa, and canning. The determinate growth pattern produces many fruits at once, perfect for bulk processing. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Benefits
MedicinalRich in lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, Legacy tomatoes support cardiovascular health and provide antioxidant benefits. Cooking tomatoes increases lycopene bioavailability. [source]
Disease-Resistant Organic Gardening
HouseholdLegacy was specifically bred for late blight resistance and performs exceptionally well in organic gardens and areas with high disease pressure. Its resistant characteristics reduce the need for fungicide applications. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Companion plantings of basil, borage, and marigolds with Legacy create 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 when fully red and slightly soft to touch. Legacy produces a concentrated harvest typical of determinate varieties, often with heavy mid-season fruiting. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Can pick at breaker stage (first blush of color) and ripen indoors if needed. In cool climates, harvest remaining green tomatoes before first frost and ripen in a warm location (65-70°F) away from direct sunlight.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Legacy was bred by Cornell University in the 1990s specifically to combat late blight (Phytophthora infestans), the same pathogen that caused the Irish Potato Famine, making it a triumph of disease-resistant crop breeding.
- 🌱 As a determinate variety, Legacy tomatoes ripen over a shorter, concentrated period (typically 2-3 weeks of peak harvest), making it ideal for processing and canning all at once rather than continuous picking.
- 🌱 The variety name 'Legacy' reflects its purpose: to leave a lasting legacy of disease-resistant tomato genetics available to organic and sustainable farmers worldwide.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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