How to Grow Mikado Tomato

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Mikado Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Mikado'

vegetable

Mikado is a large beefsteak tomato variety known for its impressive size, deep red color, and rich, complex flavor. These heirloom tomatoes can weigh 1-2 pounds each and are prized by gardeners for their meaty texture and low seed content, making them excellent for slicing and fresh eating.

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Example Mikado Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Mikado Tomato
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Mikado Tomato
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (10+ hours preferred for optimal fruiting)

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Water: Consistent, deep watering 1-2 inches per week; maintain even soil moisture to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Water at soil level in early morning to reduce disease pressure.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Start seeds ¼ inch deep; transplant seedlings burying stem up to first true leaves (roots will form along buried stem)

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Bone meal for phosphorus Kelp meal for trace minerals

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with protection and extended season techniques

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny sprouts with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge 5-10 days after planting. First true leaves appear within 1-2 weeks.

Maintain warm soil (70-80°F), bright light 14-16 hours daily, and consistent moisture. Provide gentle air circulation to prevent damping off.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks from transplant to first flowers

Plant develops robust root system and leafy foliage. Transplants are ready when 6-8 inches tall with 4-6 true leaves.

Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Plant in garden after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Stake or cage immediately.

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters on the plant. Mikado produces multiple flower clusters, each capable of setting several large fruits.

Ensure consistent watering and maintain temperatures 65-75°F for best fruit set. Prune suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) to direct energy to fruit production. Do not over-fertilize nitrogen.

Fruiting & Maturation

4-5 weeks

Green marble-sized fruits develop and grow larger over several weeks. Fruits reach full size before changing from green to deep red-pink color, indicating ripeness.

Support heavily laden branches with stakes or ties as large fruits can weigh down plants. Remove lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation and reduce disease. Continue consistent watering; fluctuations cause cracking.

Harvest

Continuous harvest from mid-summer through frost

Fruits are fully ripe when deep red with slight give when gently squeezed. Some gardeners harvest at color-break stage (first blush of color) for earlier harvest.

Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Twist gently or use pruners to avoid damaging vines. Store at room temperature; refrigeration diminishes flavor and texture.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Carrot Parsley Marigold Nasturtium Borage Chives Onion

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Kohlrabi Other nightshades (potato, eggplant, pepper) - too close proximity

Common Pests

Hand-pick larvae; encourage parasitoid wasps; use spinosad or neem oil if infestation is severe
Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil spray; maintain good air circulation
Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide or neem oil if needed
Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; mulch to prevent soil splash
Remove affected plant parts immediately; apply chlorothalonil or copper-based fungicide; avoid overhead watering

Uses

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Premium Slicing & Fresh Dishes

Culinary

Mikado's large, meaty slices and low seed content make it ideal for sandwiches, salads, and fresh garnishes. The rich, complex flavor profile with balanced sweetness and acidity is prized by chefs and home cooks alike. [source]

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Sauce & Preservation

Culinary

While less juicy than other heirloom varieties, Mikado's large size and solid flesh make it useful for making concentrated tomato sauces, paste, and canning. One fruit yields substantial sauce. [source]

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Seed Saving

Household

As an heirloom open-pollinated variety, Mikado is excellent for seed saving. Mature fruits produce viable seeds that breed true to type, allowing gardeners to save seeds year after year. [source]

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Lycopene & Antioxidant Source

Medicinal

Tomatoes, especially deeply colored heirloom varieties like Mikado, are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant shown to support heart health and reduce oxidative stress. Cooking slightly increases bioavailability. [source]

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Pollinator Garden Addition

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Growing Mikado as part of a diverse garden supports local pollinator populations and improves 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

Begin harvesting when fruits are deep red and yield slightly to thumb pressure, typically 75-85 days after transplanting. In cooler climates, harvest at color-break stage (first blush of pink) to allow more fruits to mature before frost. Twist gently or cut with pruners. Vine-ripened tomatoes have superior flavor. For extended season, pick green tomatoes before frost and ripen indoors on a windowsill or in a paper bag with a ripe banana.

Fun Facts

🌱 Mikado is a Japanese heirloom variety whose name means 'Emperor' in Japanese, reflecting its large, impressive size and premium quality.
🌱 The practice of burying tomato transplants deeply (up to the first true leaves) creates additional root development along the buried stem, resulting in stronger, more drought-tolerant plants.
🌱 Tomatoes are technically berries from a botanical standpoint (the ripened ovary of a flower), making Mikado a berry despite its culinary classification as a vegetable.

Gardening Terms

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

Damping Off Full Sun Heirloom Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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