How to Grow Sessantina

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Sessantina

Solanum lycopersicum 'Sessantina'

vegetable

Sessantina is an Italian heirloom tomato variety known for its small, round fruits and exceptional flavor. This determinate bush tomato produces abundant crops of sweet, deeply colored fruits that mature relatively quickly. It's prized by gardeners for its productivity and rich tomato taste in a compact plant.

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Example Sessantina timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Sessantina
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Sessantina
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sessantina dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum daily (8+ hours preferred)

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Water: Consistent moisture of 1-2 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to avoid disease; maintain even moisture to prevent cracking and blossom-end rot

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-70 days from transplant

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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; plant transplants deeply, burying stem up to first true leaves

Soil

Type: Well-draining, nutrient-rich loamy soil

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure calcium (lime or gypsum) balanced fertilizer (5-10-10)

Growing Zones

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Zones 5-9 for reliable production; can be grown annually in zones 3-4 with season extension

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Small plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) followed by true leaves; delicate and pale green

Provide bright light (12-16 hours), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, maintain 70-75°F; thin to strongest seedlings

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks before flowering

Bushy plant develops multiple branch points and increasingly dense foliage; plant becomes sturdy and dark green

Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting; space plants 24-36 inches apart; apply light fertilizer every 2 weeks; stake or support early

Flowering

2-3 weeks as flowers develop sequentially

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters (racemes) along the stem; flowers are self-fertile

Maintain consistent watering and fertilizer; reduce nitrogen to encourage fruiting over excessive foliage; ensure adequate pollination with gentle air movement

Fruiting & Development

3-4 weeks

Green fruits form and grow to full size; gradually begin color transition from green to mature red

Continue consistent watering to prevent cracking; apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture; monitor for pests and diseases; thin excessive foliage if needed for air circulation

Ripening & Harvest

2-3 weeks of active harvest period

Fruits fully color to deep red; fruits soften slightly and develop peak sugar content and flavor

Allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine for best flavor; pick when fully colored; continue watering to prevent stress; harvest regularly to encourage further production

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrots Onions Garlic Marigolds Nasturtiums Borage

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Fennel Kohlrabi Potatoes Dill Walnut trees

Common Pests

Hand-pick large caterpillars daily; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps
Spray with insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
Increase humidity and mist foliage; use neem oil spray; encourage predatory mites
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs or lacewings
Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper or sulfur fungicides; mulch to prevent soil splash
Remove infected plant parts immediately; apply copper fungicide; ensure adequate spacing and air flow; avoid overhead watering

Uses

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Fresh eating and cooking

Culinary

Sessantina's small, sweet fruits are ideal for eating fresh out of hand, adding to salads, or using in Italian pasta dishes. The rich flavor and firm flesh hold up well to cooking, making them excellent for sauces and stews. [source]

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Sauce and preservation

Culinary

The concentrated flavor and balanced acidity make Sessantina an excellent choice for homemade tomato sauce, paste, and canning. The prolific harvest makes it economical for preserving large quantities. [source]

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Seed saving

Household

As an open-pollinated heirloom variety, Sessantina seeds can be easily saved from ripe fruits for planting next season. Seeds remain viable for 4-6 years when stored in cool, dry conditions. [source]

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Pollinator garden

Wildlife

The abundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season. Growing Sessantina contributes to pollinator populations and biodiversity in the garden. [source]

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Nutritional benefits

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamins C and K, and potassium. Fresh Sessantina fruits provide concentrated nutrition and antioxidants when consumed raw or lightly cooked. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Sessantina reaches maturity 60-70 days after transplanting. Harvest fruits when fully colored deep red and slightly soft to the touch. Fruits can be picked at the 'breaker stage' (showing first blush of red) and ripened indoors if needed. For peak flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine in warm sun. This determinate variety produces most fruit over a concentrated 2-3 week period, followed by lighter production. Harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering and fruiting.

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'Sessantina' comes from Italian and refers to the variety's 60-day maturity—'sessanta' means 'sixty' in Italian, making it one of the fastest Italian heirloom tomatoes to produce fruit.
🌱 This variety was developed in Italy and became popular in home gardens across Europe for its exceptional productivity and compact determinacy, making it ideal for containers and small garden spaces.
🌱 Sessantina tomatoes are naturally high in sugars and have been shown to develop deeper, richer flavor when grown under full sun with slightly stressed (but consistent) watering conditions.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Pollination Transplant True Leaves

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