How to Grow Red Army Tomato
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Red Army Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Red Army'
vegetableRed Army is a determinate paste tomato variety known for its robust growth and disease resistance. It produces medium-sized, elongated red fruits ideal for sauce-making and canning. This variety is valued by both home gardeners and commercial growers for its reliability and consistent yields.
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Example Red Army Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Red Army 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 Red Army Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Army Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; can be grown as annual in all zones
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny sprouts with cotyledons emerge within 5-10 days. True leaves develop after 1-2 weeks.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily) to prevent leggy growth. Maintain 70-75°F temperature.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple branches and compound leaves. Height increases rapidly; determinate type will eventually stop growing taller.
Thin seedlings to strongest plant. Harden off transplants gradually before moving outdoors. Begin light fertilizing weekly with balanced fertilizer after true leaves appear.
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences). First flowers typically appear 4-6 weeks after transplanting in the garden.
Maintain consistent watering. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizer which promotes foliage over fruit. Ensure adequate light and temperature (65-75°F) for fruit set. Consider pruning lower suckers on determinate types.
Fruiting
3-4 weeks per clusterGreen fruits develop and swell behind fallen flowers. Fruits mature from bottom cluster upward, turning red over 2-3 weeks per truss.
Continue consistent watering to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Apply mulch to regulate soil moisture and temperature. Support branches laden with fruit. Reduce nitrogen; increase potassium and phosphorus.
Harvest
3-4 weeksFruits reach full red color and slight give to gentle pressure. Determinate type produces bulk of fruit within concentrated 3-4 week window.
Harvest fully ripe fruits for best flavor and sauce quality. Red Army is excellent for mechanical harvest in commercial settings. Handle gently to avoid bruising.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps and native predators
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Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Increase humidity; spray with strong water stream; apply neem oil or sulfur-based fungicides
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Remove lower infected leaves; ensure good air circulation; apply copper-based fungicide; avoid overhead watering
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Remove affected foliage immediately; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected leaves; apply fungicide; ensure adequate spacing for air flow; avoid overhead irrigation
Uses
Sauce & Paste Production
CulinaryRed Army's dense, meaty flesh and concentrated flavor make it ideal for tomato sauce, paste, and canning. The high solids content and low water content mean less cooking time and concentrated yield. [source]
Commercial & Home Canning
CulinaryThe determinate nature provides synchronized ripening perfect for bulk harvesting and processing. Disease resistance reduces crop loss during preservation season. [source]
Lycopene & Antioxidants
MedicinalRed tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. Cooking increases bioavailability of lycopene. [source]
Disease Resistance & Reliability
HouseholdRed Army exhibits resistance to multiple fungal diseases (Verticillium and Fusarium wilts), making it an excellent choice for organic growers and those managing tomato diseases. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeTomato flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Growing tomatoes supports native pollinator populations. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Red Army is a determinate (bush) type that produces most fruit within a 3-4 week concentrated period, ideal for canning operations. Harvest fruits when fully red and slightly soft to touch. For paste and sauce production, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine. Can harvest at breaker stage (first blush of color) if needed and allow to ripen indoors. Red Army tomatoes store better than slicers due to higher solids content. One plant typically yields 15-25 lbs depending on growing conditions.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Army was developed in Russia and released by the Siberian Seed Company, bred for cool climates and disease resistance in challenging growing conditions.
- 🌱 As a determinate (or bush) tomato, Red Army is mechanically harvestable—entire plants can be pulled and vibrated to drop fruit, making it popular for commercial sauce and paste operations.
- 🌱 The concentrated ripening window of determinate varieties like Red Army makes succession planting ideal for continuous harvest; plant new seedlings every 2-3 weeks for rolling crops.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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