How to Grow Matina Tomato
Matina Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Matina'
vegetableMatina is a determinate beefsteak tomato variety originating from Italy, known for its large, flavorful fruits and robust plant structure. It produces dense, meaty tomatoes with excellent flavor and disease resistance, making it popular among home gardeners and commercial growers. The variety is particularly valued for its reliability and consistent production in various climates.
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Example Matina Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Matina 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 Matina Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Matina Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9 are ideal; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension; performs excellently in warmer zones with afternoon shade
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Get my Matina Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling (0-4 weeks)
3-4 weeks indoorsTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerging, developing first true leaves. Small, delicate, with thin stems requiring support.
Provide bright light (14-16 hours under grow lights or south-facing window), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, maintain 70-75°F temperature, provide gentle air circulation to prevent damping-off disease.
Vegetative Growth (4-12 weeks indoors, 2-4 weeks after transplant)
4-6 weeks after transplantingRapid stem and leaf development; plants grow 6-24 inches tall with multiple true leaves. Strong root system establishing. No flowers yet.
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting. Plant outdoors after last frost when soil reaches 60°F minimum. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Pinch off lower leaves as plant grows to encourage vertical growth and air circulation.
Flowering (6-10 weeks after transplant)
3-5 weeksFirst flowers appear in clusters (trusses). Plant reaches 24-36 inches tall. Vigorous vegetative growth continues alongside flowering. Yellow flowers are characteristic of tomato blooms.
Switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus/potassium) to encourage fruit set. Ensure consistent watering and calcium availability. Prune suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) for determinate varieties to focus energy. Support plant with stakes or cages.
Fruiting & Fruit Development (8-12 weeks after transplant)
4-6 weeksFruits develop from pollinated flowers, growing from golf ball size to full 8-12 ounce beefsteaks. Fruits transition from green to mature color. Plant reaches full height and width with heavy fruit load.
Maintain even, deep watering to prevent blossom end rot and cracking. Prune some foliage to allow sun penetration to maturing fruits, but leave enough to protect from sunscald. Support heavy fruit clusters. Apply consistent fertilizer (every 2 weeks) with emphasis on potassium for flavor.
Harvest & Maturity (10-14 weeks after transplant)
6-10+ weeks until frostFruits reach full size and develop deep red color at maturity. Plant may slow growth as temperatures increase or as season progresses. Production continues until frost or plant exhaustion.
Harvest fruits at full color for best flavor. Continue consistent watering throughout harvest period. Monitor for late blight and other end-of-season diseases. Reduce nitrogen fertilization if applying; focus on calcium. Enjoy fresh tomatoes through season or preserve excess.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray for smaller infestations; encourage parasitic wasps; monitor for dark droppings on foliage
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects; ensure good air circulation
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Increase humidity and air circulation; spray with water mist; use neem oil; introduce predatory mites
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Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide or sulfur; mulch to prevent soil splash
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Remove infected plants entirely; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; use resistant varieties when possible
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Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; apply fungicide; avoid wetting foliage; practice crop rotation
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No cure; remove infected plants; practice 3-year crop rotation; use resistant varieties (look for VF designation); sterilize tools
Uses
Slicing & Fresh Eating
CulinaryMatina's large, meaty beefsteak fruits are ideal for slicing and serving fresh in salads, sandwiches, and caprese preparations. The dense flesh and excellent balance of sweetness and acidity make it a superior choice for fresh eating compared to watery commercial varieties. [source]
Cooking & Sauce Making
CulinaryThe substantial flesh and lower moisture content of Matina tomatoes make them excellent for cooking down into sauces, soups, and stews. They yield less watery results than other varieties and concentrate flavors beautifully when slow-cooked. [source]
Preservation & Canning
CulinaryMatina's reliable acidity (pH typically 4.3-4.5) and firm flesh make it suitable for home canning, freezing, and drying. The high solids content produces concentrated end products ideal for preserves. [source]
Nutritional Health
MedicinalMatina tomatoes are rich in lycopene (an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color), vitamin C, potassium, and folate. Regular consumption of tomatoes has been linked to cardiovascular health and may reduce cancer risk. [source]
Garden Ornament & Food Production
HouseholdThe vigorous determinate growth habit and abundant fruit production make Matina tomatoes attractive for ornamental kitchen gardens and small-space growing. Loaded plants with ripening fruit are visually appealing while providing food. [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 Matina tomatoes when fully colored (deep red) for maximum flavor and sweetness. Mature tomatoes can be picked at 'mature green' stage (pale pink) and ripened at room temperature off the vine if frost threatens. For best flavor, pick in early morning after dew dries. Leave about 1/2 inch of stem attached. Store at room temperature, never refrigerate raw tomatoes (cold damages flavor and texture). Peak harvest occurs in mid to late summer.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Matina is an Italian heirloom variety from the Campania region (near Naples), the heart of Italian tomato country, and has been cultivated for decades with strong flavor genetics from Mediterranean climates.
- 🌱 Tomato plants can develop roots anywhere along the buried stem, a unique trait that allows deep planting; Matina seedlings benefit especially from this when transplanting, creating stronger root systems.
- 🌱 The term 'beefsteak' tomato refers not to a specific variety but to a size category (8+ oz), and Matina exemplifies the beefsteak type with its meaty texture, few seeds, and large size ideal for slicing.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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