How to Grow Super Olympia Tomato
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Super Olympia Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Super Olympia'
vegetableSuper Olympia is a determinate slicing tomato variety known for its large, meaty fruits and reliable production. It produces medium to large red tomatoes with excellent flavor and crack resistance, making it popular for fresh eating and slicing.
When should you plant Super Olympia Tomato in your zone?
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Example Super Olympia Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Super Olympia 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 Super Olympia Tomato
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Super Olympia Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with cotyledons and emerging true leaves; delicate and pale green
Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily; maintain soil moisture; keep temperature 65-75°F. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksTransplant-size plants with multiple true leaves; stocky growth before flowering begins
Harden off seedlings gradually. Plant outdoors after last frost when soil is warm (60°F+). Support with stakes or cages early. Fertilize every 2 weeks.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters; plant continues to grow but is more compact than indeterminate types
Maintain consistent watering and balanced fertilizer (higher phosphorus). Avoid excess nitrogen. Ensure good pollination.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksGreen tomatoes develop rapidly; fruit enlarges and begins color transition from green to red
Water consistently; mulch soil to regulate moisture and temperature. Provide support as fruit weight increases. Reduce nitrogen; increase potassium.
Harvest
2-4 weeksFully mature red tomatoes; fruit is firm with glossy skin and vibrant color
Pick ripe fruit regularly to encourage continued production. As determinate variety, most fruit ripens within 2-3 week window.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; encourage parasitic wasps
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected foliage; apply chlorothalonil or copper fungicide; ensure good drainage and air flow
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Use resistant varieties when possible; practice crop rotation; remove infected plants; sterilize tools
Uses
Fresh Slicing and Sandwiches
CulinaryThe large, meaty fruits are ideal for slicing into thick slices for sandwiches, burgers, and fresh salads. The firm texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor make Super Olympia excellent for immediate consumption. [source]
Cooking and Sauce
CulinaryThe meatiness and relatively low seed content make these tomatoes suitable for cooking down into sauces, salsas, and tomato paste. Their reliable flavor supports cooked applications. [source]
Canning and Preservation
CulinaryWith their size and dense flesh, Super Olympia tomatoes are well-suited for canning, freezing, or making preserves. The determinate harvest period makes them convenient for batch processing. [source]
Container Gardening
HouseholdAs a determinate variety, Super Olympia is compact enough for large containers, making it accessible to gardeners with limited space. It performs well in pots on patios and balconies. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe prolific yellow flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects. Growing tomatoes supports pollinator populations while providing food. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruit is fully red and yields slightly to gentle pressure. As a determinate variety, Super Olympia produces most of its crop within a concentrated window (typically 2-3 weeks). Pick regularly to extend season. Tomatoes continue to ripen after picking if stored at room temperature; refrigerate only after fully ripe to preserve flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Super Olympia is a determinate (or 'bush') type, meaning it grows to a set size and produces most of its fruit in a concentrated window—perfect for simultaneous harvest and canning.
- 🌱 Tomatoes are botanically fruits (berries) but are legally classified as vegetables in the United States following an 1893 Supreme Court decision (Nix v. Hedden).
- 🌱 Lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes, is an antioxidant that becomes more bioavailable when tomatoes are cooked, making both fresh and cooked Super Olympia tomatoes nutritious.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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