How to Grow Pink Paramount
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Pink Paramount
Solanum lycopersicum 'Pink Paramount'
vegetablePink Paramount is a classic heirloom tomato variety known for its large, pink-colored fruits with a rich, complex flavor. This indeterminate vine-type tomato produces abundant yields throughout the growing season and has been a gardener favorite since the early 20th century.
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Example Pink Paramount timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pink Paramount
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 Pink Paramount
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pink Paramount dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9 ideal; can be grown as annual in zones 3-4
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall sprouted plants with cotyledons and emerging true leaves; very tender and delicate
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light (14-16 hours under grow lights). Maintain temperature 65-75°F. Thin to strongest seedlings if needed.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksBushy growth with multiple sets of true leaves; plant establishes strong root system and develops main stem and branches
Harden off seedlings before transplanting. Space 24 inches apart. Install sturdy stakes or cages early. Prune suckers on indeterminate varieties. Maintain consistent watering and balanced nitrogen.
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters along stems; plant becomes more vigorous and may reach 6+ feet tall
Reduce nitrogen; increase phosphorus and potassium for fruit set. Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot. Ensure adequate pollination (vibrate flowers in morning). Continue pruning suckers.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flowers; gradually enlarge and change color from green to pink as they ripen
Provide consistent water (1-2 inches weekly). Remove excess foliage to allow sun exposure to ripening fruits. Mulch to regulate moisture and temperature. Monitor for pests and disease.
Harvest
Continuous until frostFruits reach full pink color with slight give when squeezed; maintain robust production on indeterminate variety
Pick fruits at first blush of pink or fully ripe. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Store at room temperature; refrigerate only if necessary to preserve flavor.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick (they are large and visible). Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Encourage parasitic wasps. Check undersides of leaves regularly.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Increase humidity with regular misting. Use neem oil or miticide. Spray with strong water stream. Remove heavily damaged leaves.
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Remove lower leaves (first 8-12 inches). Improve air circulation. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Use copper fungicide if severe. Avoid overhead watering.
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Remove infected leaves. Improve air circulation. Apply copper fungicide. Avoid wetting foliage. Sterilize pruning tools between cuts.
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryPink Paramount is prized for its rich, complex flavor with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Excellent for fresh eating, salads, and sandwiches where the large slicing capability shines. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe substantial flesh and good sugar content make it suitable for tomato sauces, gravies, and cooked preparations. Less watery than many modern hybrids, reducing cooking time. [source]
Home canning and preservation
HouseholdPink Paramount can be canned whole, as sauce, or as juice due to its good yield and flavor. Many heirloom gardeners preserve their harvest for year-round use. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Pink Paramount is rich in lycopene and vitamin C. Heirloom varieties often contain higher concentrations of beneficial compounds than modern hybrids. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an open-pollinated heirloom variety, Pink Paramount can be reliably seed-saved for the following year. Seeds store well and remain viable for several years with proper storage. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pink Paramount reaches peak flavor when fruits are fully pink with a slight give when gently squeezed. Harvest in morning after dew dries. For maximum flavor, allow to fully ripen on vine; can also pick at first blush and ripen indoors. The variety produces continuously on indeterminate vines until frost, so harvest regularly to encourage more flowering. For storage, keep at room temperature (not refrigerated) to preserve complex flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pink Paramount was introduced in the early 1920s and has maintained its reputation as one of the best-tasting pink tomato varieties for over a century.
- 🌱 The name 'Paramount' refers to the variety's superior flavor quality, making it a 'paramount' choice among discerning tomato growers and chefs.
- 🌱 Unlike determinate varieties, Pink Paramount's indeterminate growth habit means it continuously produces fruit throughout the season until killed by frost, sometimes reaching 8+ feet tall.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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