How to Grow Pritchard's Variety Tomato
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Pritchard's Variety Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Pritchard'
vegetablePritchard's Variety is a classic deterministic tomato cultivar developed in the early 20th century, known for its compact, bushy growth habit and high yield of medium-sized, deep red fruits. This heirloom variety was bred for disease resistance and reliability, making it popular for home gardeners and commercial canneries. It produces uniform fruits excellent for fresh eating and preservation.
When should you plant Pritchard's Variety Tomato in your zone?
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Example Pritchard's Variety Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pritchard's Variety 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 Pritchard's Variety Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension
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Seedling
3-4 weeksSeedlings emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves), followed by first true leaves within 7-10 days. Plants develop 4-6 true leaves before being ready for transplanting.
Maintain consistent moisture and 65-75°F temperatures. Provide bright light (12-16 hours daily) to prevent leggy growth. Keep soil warm with bottom heat (70°F) if available.
Vegetative/Early Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingTransplants establish strong root systems and grow a bushy, compact plant with multiple stems. Leaves are pinnate and dark green; no flowers yet.
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors. Plant deep to encourage root development. Support with cages or stakes early. Remove suckers selectively to maintain 2-3 main stems if desired.
Flowering
3-5 weeks, overlapping with fruit developmentPlant produces small yellow flowers arranged in clusters. Pritchard's Variety flowers early and prolifically, setting fruit quickly.
Maintain consistent watering to ensure good fruit set. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers. Ensure adequate sunlight. Gentle shaking or pollinator activity aids fruit set.
Fruit Development & Maturation
35-50 days per fruit clusterSmall green fruits appear and grow over 30-40 days, gradually turning red from the blossom end upward. Pritchard's Variety produces abundant, uniform, medium-sized (3-4 oz) fruits.
Water deeply and consistently to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Apply mulch (2-3 inches) to regulate soil temperature and moisture. Reduce watering slightly as fruits approach maturity if very rainy. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Harvest/Decline
Variable; continues until frost or disease ends productionFruits reach full red color and slight softness. As temperatures drop in fall or disease pressure increases, production slows. Plant senescence begins.
Harvest fruits at full color for best flavor. Pinch off flowers 6-8 weeks before first frost to redirect energy to ripening existing fruit. Remove diseased foliage. Allow some end-of-season fruits to fully ripen on the vine.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick larvae and pupae; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if needed
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Prune lower leaves; improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply copper fungicide or sulfur spray; remove diseased leaves promptly
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Plant resistant varieties; improve air circulation; remove infected plants; apply copper or sulfur fungicides; avoid overhead watering
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use insecticidal soap; encourage predatory mites; neem oil if severe
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Yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects; reflective mulches
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryPritchard's Variety produces flavorful, medium-sized fruits ideal for slicing in salads, sandwiches, and fresh preparations. The balanced sugar-to-acid ratio provides excellent taste. [source]
Canning and preservation
CulinaryThis heirloom variety has a long history as a cannery tomato due to its uniform size, high yield, and excellent sauce quality. It's ideal for making tomato juice, paste, sauce, and ketchup. [source]
Cooking and sauces
CulinaryHigh pectin and solid content make Pritchard's Variety excellent for cooking down into sauces, soups, and gravies. The fruits hold their structure well when cooked. [source]
Nutritional and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalRich in lycopene, vitamin C, and potassium. Fresh tomatoes support heart health, reduce inflammation, and provide essential antioxidants with potential cancer-protective properties. [source]
Seed saving and heirloom preservation
HouseholdAs a determinate heirloom, Pritchard's Variety is stable and easy to save seeds from, making it excellent for gardeners interested in preserving open-pollinated varieties year to year. [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 fruits when fully red and slightly soft to the touch, typically 70-85 days from transplant. Ripe tomatoes detach easily from the vine with a gentle twist. For peak flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine. In cool fall weather, pick fruits at the mature green stage and ripen indoors at 65-70°F. Pritchard's Variety fruits can be harvested over an extended period as flowers set continuously.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pritchard's Variety was developed in 1920 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was specifically bred for disease resistance and uniform, productive growth—revolutionary for its time.
- 🌱 This determinate (bush) variety was the parent or foundation for many modern hybrid canning tomatoes, including well-known varieties like Roma. It exemplifies how a single heirloom can shape horticultural history.
- 🌱 The name 'Pritchard' honors horticulturist and USDA breeder A.W. Pritchard, who dedicated decades to tomato breeding and disease resistance work.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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