How to Grow Stripe It Rich Tomato

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Stripe It Rich Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Stripe It Rich'

vegetable

Stripe It Rich is a beautiful heirloom tomato variety known for its distinctive red and yellow striped fruits. This indeterminate vine produces medium-sized tomatoes (4-6 oz) with sweet, complex flavor and striking bicolor patterning. It's a popular choice for gardeners seeking both visual appeal and excellent taste.

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Example Stripe It Rich Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Stripe It Rich Tomato
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Stripe It Rich Tomato
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Stripe It Rich Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours preferred for maximum fruiting)

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week, preferably at soil level. Avoid wetting foliage. Increase watering during hot, dry periods and fruiting stage. Irregular watering can cause cracking and blossom-end rot.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 75-85 days

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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplants buried up to first true leaves (roots develop along buried stem)

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost (2-3 inches worked in) Aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Balanced NPK fertilizer or slow-release pellets

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zone 3-4 with season extension techniques

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

Tiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and first true leaves emerging. Growth is slow but steady.

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights. Maintain 65-75°F. Thin to strongest seedling if multiple germinate in one cell.

Transplant/Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Young plants developing multiple sets of true leaves and a sturdy stem. Plants are ready to harden off and transplant outdoors after 6-8 weeks and 2-3 sets of true leaves.

Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Bury stem deeply at transplanting to encourage root development. Keep soil consistently moist. Support with stakes or cages early to prevent damage.

Flowering

3-4 weeks (overlaps with fruiting)

Plants begin producing yellow flowers in clusters (inflorescences). Vigorous indeterminate growth continues with new flower clusters appearing regularly.

Maintain consistent watering and temperature (65-80°F ideal). Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage over flowers. Provide sturdy support structure. Prune lower leaves for air circulation if disease appears.

Fruiting & Development

20-30 days per fruit set

Small green fruits develop and enlarge over 20-30 days. Fruits gradually develop striped coloration as they ripen, changing from green to red and yellow striping.

Water deeply and consistently to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. Feed with balanced or slightly lower-nitrogen fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Mulch to regulate soil moisture. Remove some foliage if fruits are shaded.

Harvest & Continued Production

8-12 weeks until first frost

Fruits ripen to full red and yellow striping. Indeterminate variety continues producing new flowers and fruits until frost. Plant reaches 6-8 feet tall or more if unsupported.

Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Support tall vines securely with sturdy stakes or cages (minimum 5-6 feet tall). Continue consistent watering and fertilizing. In fall, monitor for early frost and harvest any remaining green fruits before freezing.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Marigold Carrot Onion Parsley Borage Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Walnut trees Other solanums in same season (to reduce disease spread)

Common Pests

Hand-pick caterpillars daily. Encourage parasitic wasps. Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if population is heavy.
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Use reflective mulches to deter. Maintain good air circulation.
Increase humidity by misting foliage. Spray with water or neem oil. In severe cases, use sulfur or miticide.
Remove lower leaves as plants grow. Improve air circulation. Apply copper or sulfur fungicides. Mulch to prevent soil splash.
Ensure good air circulation. Remove infected foliage immediately. Apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicides preventively in humid conditions. Avoid overhead watering.

Uses

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Fresh eating and slicing

Culinary

The sweet, complex flavor with good acid balance makes Stripe It Rich excellent for eating fresh, slicing for sandwiches, or adding to salads. The striking striped appearance makes it visually appealing on plates. [source]

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Sauces and preserving

Culinary

The balanced sugar and acidity profile makes this variety suitable for making sauces, salsa, and preserves. The flesh is juicy with few seeds, ideal for tomato products. [source]

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Ornamental garden feature

Household

The beautiful red and yellow striped appearance makes Stripe It Rich a decorative element in edible gardens and ornamental vegetable displays. It's popular for farmers markets and garden showcases. [source]

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Nutritional health benefits

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant linked to reduced risk of certain diseases. They also contain vitamins C, K, potassium, and folate, supporting heart and immune health. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden. The ongoing blooms throughout the season provide continuous nectar and pollen sources. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when fully colored (deep red with prominent yellow striping) and slightly soft to pressure. Can also pick mature green and ripen indoors at room temperature (65-75°F). Vine will continue producing until frost. Check plants 2-3 times weekly during peak season as tomatoes ripen quickly. For best flavor, allow fruits to ripen fully on the vine in warm conditions.

Fun Facts

🌱 Stripe It Rich is an open-pollinated heirloom variety, meaning you can save seeds from your best plants and they will grow true to type the following year, preserving the striped pattern.
🌱 The red pigmentation in tomatoes comes from lycopene, while the yellow striping is due to carotenoids and reduced lycopene production in those tissue areas—a natural bicolor effect.
🌱 Stripe It Rich is an indeterminate variety, meaning it grows continuously as a vine rather than stopping at a set height, producing fruit until killed by frost. Some gardeners grow them 8-10 feet tall for maximum yield.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Transplant True Leaves

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