How to Grow Noble King Tomato
Noble King Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Noble King'
vegetableNoble King is a determinate, mid-season heirloom tomato variety known for its large, deeply ribbed fruits with excellent flavor. This classic cultivar produces substantial yields of meaty tomatoes ideal for slicing, canning, and sauce-making. It's a reliable performer in many climates with good disease resistance.
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Example Noble King Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Noble King 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 Noble King Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Noble King Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; grows best in zones 5-8 with warm, consistent temperatures
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerging from soil. First true leaves appear within 1-2 weeks.
Provide bright light (14-16 hours), maintain warm temperatures (70-75°F), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin crowded seedlings.
Vegetative Growth
3-5 weeksPlant develops multiple true leaves, increases in height, and builds sturdy stems. Roots establish throughout soil.
Transplant to larger containers as needed. Gradually harden off seedlings before moving outdoors. Plant in ground after last frost date. Apply light fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering
3-4 weeksFirst flower clusters appear at leaf axils. Plant becomes bushy and develops multiple flower trusses.
Provide consistent watering and nutrients, especially calcium. Remove lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation. Consider pruning to 1-2 main stems for larger fruits (optional for determinate varieties).
Fruiting & Development
4-5 weeksFlowers set fruit; small green tomatoes develop rapidly. Fruits increase in size and begin color change.
Maintain consistent watering schedule to prevent fruit cracking. Support heavy branches with stakes or cages. Continue removing lower foliage. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Maturity & Harvest
3-4 weeks or until frostFruits reach full size and transition from green to red. Plant may produce 15-25+ pounds of tomatoes per plant.
Harvest when fully red and slightly soft to touch. Continue harvesting to encourage more blooming (indeterminate types continue producing; determinate types will slow down). Pull plant after killing frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily (especially in early morning), encourage parasitic wasps, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, neem oil
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Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil, water spray to dislodge, reflective mulches
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Increase humidity, strong water spray, neem oil, sulfur powder (avoid in extreme heat)
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Choose resistant varieties when possible, practice crop rotation (3-4 years), remove infected plants immediately, sterilize tools
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Remove lower leaves as plant grows, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply copper fungicide, mulch to prevent soil splash
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply copper or sulfur fungicide, remove infected foliage immediately, choose resistant varieties
Uses
Slicing & Fresh Cooking
CulinaryThe large, meaty fruits with few seeds are ideal for slicing fresh in sandwiches and salads. Their robust flavor and firm texture hold up well to cooking in sauces, soups, and stews. [source]
Canning & Preservation
CulinaryHigh yield and substantial size make Noble King excellent for canning whole, crushed, or as sauce. The low water content reduces cooking time needed for preservation. [source]
Lycopene & Antioxidants
MedicinalRich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with heart health and cancer prevention. Cooking increases lycopene bioavailability and absorption. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdAs a non-hybrid heirloom variety, seeds can be saved from mature fruits for next season's planting. This allows gardeners to preserve genetics and reduce costs. [source]
Garden Pollinator Support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators essential for fruit development. A healthy tomato patch supports garden biodiversity. [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 tomatoes when they reach full red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Noble King tomatoes ripen continuously throughout the season. For best flavor, harvest in morning after dew dries. If frost threatens, pick all remaining tomatoes (even green ones) and ripen indoors at room temperature. Store at room temperature, not refrigerated, to preserve flavor and texture.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Noble King is a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a fixed size and produces most of its fruit in a concentrated period—ideal for gardeners wanting to harvest tomatoes all at once for canning.
- 🌱 The deeply ribbed, sometimes misshapen character of heirloom tomatoes like Noble King is called 'ribbing' or 'fluting' and is prized by tomato enthusiasts for its relationship to old-fashioned tomato genetics and superior flavor.
- 🌱 Tomato leaves are toxic to humans and pets but are sometimes used in insecticidal sprays by gardeners; the alkaloids in foliage deter certain pests naturally.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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