How to Grow Sedona
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Sedona
Lycopersicon esculentum 'Sedona'
vegetableSedona is a determinate paste tomato variety known for its disease resistance and excellent flavor. It produces medium-sized, elongated fruits ideal for fresh eating, canning, and sauce production. This cultivar is particularly valued by gardeners for its resistance to late blight and fusarium wilt.
When should you plant Sedona in your zone?
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Example Sedona timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sedona
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 Sedona
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sedona dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9, though can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension
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Seedling
4-6 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 true leaves, still establishing root system
Provide bright light (14-16 hours), maintain consistent moisture, keep soil warm (70-75°F), begin fertilizing weakly at true leaf stage
Vegetative
3-4 weeksBushy, compact growth with dense foliage; plant reaches 3-4 feet tall for Sedona
Stake or cage early. Pinch suckers for determinate varieties to promote branching. Feed balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Ensure consistent watering.
Flowering
2-3 weeksClusters of yellow flowers appear in leaf axils; plant is at peak vigor
Continue support structure. Switch to higher phosphorus/potassium fertilizer (5-10-10). Maintain steady water—irregular watering causes blossom end rot. Pollinate gently by hand-vibrating flowers on warm days.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksFruit sets and swells; tiny green orbs develop into full-sized elongated tomatoes
Reduce nitrogen to avoid excess foliage. Mulch heavily to regulate soil moisture and temperature. Prune excess foliage if needed for air circulation but retain leaf coverage to prevent sunscald. Water deeply and consistently.
Harvest
2-4 weeksFruits mature to deep red color with slight give when gently pressed
Harvest when fully red for peak flavor. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Can pick at breaker stage (first blush of color) and ripen indoors.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps; neem oil spray
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Yellow sticky traps; neem oil; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch
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Regular misting; neem oil; insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial predators
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Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; copper fungicide; resistant variety (Sedona has good resistance)
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Resistant varieties like Sedona; crop rotation; soil sterilization; resistant rootstock grafting
Uses
Sauce and Canning
CulinarySedona's meaty, low-seed paste tomato flesh makes it ideal for homemade marinara, pasta sauce, and canned products. The concentrated flavor develops fully when cooked. [source]
Fresh Eating and Salads
CulinaryRich, tangy flavor with good balance of sweetness and acidity. Excellent sliced fresh or used in sandwiches and salads. [source]
Lycopene Source
MedicinalRed tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to cardiovascular and prostate health. Cooked tomato preparations increase lycopene bioavailability. [source]
Disease Resistance and Reliability
HouseholdSedona's noted resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and Fusarium wilt makes it a dependable, low-input choice for home gardeners seeking reduced-pesticide production. [source]
Heirloom Seed Saving
CraftAs a hybrid cultivar, Sedona seeds will not breed true, but gardeners can save seeds for personal use and enjoy the learning process of tomato seed fermentation and 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
Sedona produces a concentrated harvest typical of determinate varieties. Harvest when fruits are deep red and slightly soft. Pick regularly (every 2-3 days) to encourage production. For storage, pick at breaker stage and ripen indoors at room temperature away from direct sun. Vining stops when determinate varieties reach their genetically programmed mature height, so nearly all fruit ripens within a narrow window.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Sedona was developed in India and named for the striking red rock formations of Sedona, Arizona, reflecting the vivid color of its mature fruit.
- 🌱 Determinate paste tomatoes like Sedona produce their entire crop within 2-3 weeks, making them perfect for canning projects; this concentrated harvest allows gardeners to process multiple pounds at once.
- 🌱 The Sedona variety has dual resistance to Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans), the same pathogen responsible for the Irish Potato Famine, making it especially valuable in humid climates prone to fungal diseases.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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