How to Grow Sunglow Tomato
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Sunglow Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Sunglow'
vegetableSunglow is a determinate, early-maturing tomato variety prized for its bright orange-red color and excellent flavor. It produces medium-sized fruits (5-6 oz) that are meaty and low in seeds, making it ideal for fresh eating, sauces, and canning. This disease-resistant heirloom is particularly valued for northern gardeners and those with short growing seasons.
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Example Sunglow Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sunglow 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 Sunglow Tomato
Around Jun 18≈ 62 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sunglow Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; excellent cold-season variety for northern regions
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTender seedlings with 2-4 true leaves, establishing root system
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Maintain 70-75°F soil temperature. Provide grow lights 14-16 hours daily. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
Transplant/Vegetative
2-3 weeks before plantingStocky, branching plant with 6-8 true leaves ready for hardening off and field planting
Harden off for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors after last frost date. Bury stem deeply to encourage root development. Install stakes or cages early.
Flowering
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple flower clusters along main stem; bright yellow flowers appear
Maintain consistent watering and moderate fertilization. Remove lower leaves for air circulation. Monitor for blossom end rot by maintaining even soil moisture. Prune suckers on indeterminate types if applicable.
Fruiting
4-5 weeksSmall green fruits develop and swell rapidly; first fruits reach full size within 2-3 weeks
Water deeply and consistently to prevent fruit cracking and disease. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; increase potassium and phosphorus. Support heavy branches with ties. Provide afternoon shade in extreme heat (90°F+).
Maturity/Harvest
2-3 weeks per fruitFruits ripen from green to distinctive orange-red color; sugar content and flavor peak at full maturity
Pick fruits at first blush of color for continued ripening, or wait for full color on vine for maximum sweetness. Harvesting regularly encourages more fruit production. Late-season: pick green fruit 3-4 weeks before frost and ripen indoors.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Handpick early morning or dusk; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly; remove affected leaves
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide or neem oil if severe
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Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; mulch to prevent soil splash
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Remove infected foliage immediately; spray chlorothalonil or copper fungicide; ensure good drainage
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryThe meaty flesh, low seed content, and balanced sweet-acid flavor make Sunglow exceptional for fresh slicing, salads, and sandwiches. The distinctive orange-red color adds visual appeal to any dish. [source]
Sauce, juice, and processing
CulinarySunglow produces excellent sauce and juice due to its dense, meaty flesh and rich flavor. The lower water content makes it ideal for canning, freezing, or making paste. [source]
Antioxidant benefits
MedicinalTomatoes, especially orange and red varieties, are rich in carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene, compounds with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Early and reliable harvest
HouseholdSunglow's early maturity (62-70 days) and disease resistance make it invaluable for northern gardeners, container growing, and succession planting to extend the harvest season. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe bright yellow flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting broader garden ecosystem health while improving fruit set. [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 they first blush with color (orange-red with slight yellow undertones) for consistent harvest, or allow to fully ripen on the vine for maximum sweetness. Sunglow can be harvested slightly underripe and ripened indoors at 68-72°F. For canning, allow full maturity on vine. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Late-season fruits: harvest 3-4 weeks before first frost and ripen indoors on a windowsill or in a brown paper bag.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Sunglow was developed by Cornell University's breeding program and released in 1969, making it a proven variety with over 50 years of growing success, particularly in cool climates.
- 🌱 The orange-red color (rather than pure red) indicates higher beta-carotene content, making it more nutritious than standard red tomato varieties and giving dishes a unique warm hue.
- 🌱 Sunglow is one of the most disease-resistant heirloom tomatoes, offering genetic resistance to fusarium and verticillium wilt, making it ideal for organic gardeners in humid regions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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