How to Grow Transit Tomato
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Transit Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Transit'
vegetableTransit is a determinate tomato variety bred for commercial production and home gardens, known for its uniform ripening and compact growth habit. It produces medium-sized, round red fruits with excellent flavor and disease resistance. This variety was developed in the 1950s-60s and remains popular for its reliability and productivity.
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Example Transit Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Transit 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 Transit Tomato
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Transit Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; grown as annual in all zones with 70+ frost-free days
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Seedling
2-3 weeks until first true leaves appearTiny plants with 2 cotyledons and emerging true leaves; delicate and pale green
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide 12-16 hours of bright light daily. Maintain 65-75°F temperature. Use grow lights 2-3 inches above seedlings.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks in containers before field transplantingRapid stem and leaf development; plant becomes bushy with 6-12 leaves; main stem thickens
Harden off for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors. Prune suckers on indeterminate varieties (Transit is determinate, minimal pruning needed). Begin light fertilizing at 2-week intervals.
Flowering
2-3 weeks as flowers continue to formYellow flowers appear in clusters (trusses); plant reaches mature height; buds set along stem
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot. Fertilize with lower nitrogen (higher phosphorus/potassium). Ensure adequate calcium. Good pollination critical—maintain 60-75°F nights for fruit set.
Fruit Development & Ripening
4-6 weeks from small fruit to mature red tomatoesGreen fruits mature to full size; gradually ripen from green to red over 20-30 days per truss
Uniform ripening is Transit's strength; fruits ripen simultaneously across plant. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Maintain consistent watering; drought stress cracks fruit. Remove excess foliage only if needed for light penetration to fruit.
Harvest
2-4 weeks of active harvestingFully red, firm fruits ready for picking; plant may continue producing secondary flushes
Pick tomatoes when completely red for best flavor. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Continue watering and light fertilizing for extended harvest. Transit's determinate nature means concentrated ripening—most fruit ready within 2-3 week window.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Check undersides of leaves. Beneficial wasps provide natural control.
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Use yellow sticky traps. Remove infested leaves.
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Increase humidity and water plants at soil level. Spray with water to dislodge. Use miticide if severe.
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Remove lower infected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Apply copper fungicide. Improve air circulation.
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Remove infected plant material immediately. Apply chlorothalonil or copper fungicide. Ensure good drainage and air flow.
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Remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering. Apply fungicide if needed. Rotate crops.
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Spray with water or insecticidal soap. Introduce ladybugs. Use neem oil for heavy infestations.
Uses
Canning & Preserving
CulinaryTransit's determinate ripening pattern and uniform fruit size make it ideal for home canning, sauce-making, and preserves. The fruits have good acidity and solid flesh content. [source]
Fresh Eating & Salads
CulinaryMedium-sized fruits with balanced sweet-tart flavor are excellent sliced fresh, in salads, or on sandwiches. [source]
Lycopene & Heart Health
MedicinalRipe red tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers. [source]
Tomato Sauce & Paste
HouseholdTransit's meaty texture and concentrated flavor profile make it excellent for reducing into tomato paste, marinara sauce, and other concentrated tomato products. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting broader ecosystem health and 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
Transit is a determinate variety, meaning it concentrates fruit ripening into a 2-3 week window—ideal for preserving and canning. Pick tomatoes when fully red for maximum flavor and lycopene content. Twist gently or cut with pruners to avoid damaging vine. Morning harvests preserve juiciness. For longer shelf-life, pick at 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) and ripen at room temperature. Transit produces heavily but stops setting fruit in extreme heat (above 90°F) or cold (below 60°F nights).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Transit was developed in the 1950s-60s for mechanical harvesting in commercial agriculture, making it one of the first 'purpose-bred' tomato varieties. Its simultaneous ripening and compact determinate form revolutionized commercial tomato production.
- 🌱 The name 'Transit' reflects its breeding goal: to produce a tomato that could be harvested all at once and 'transit' efficiently to market, rather than requiring multiple pickings over weeks.
- 🌱 Transit tomatoes contain about 20-30 mg of vitamin C per 100g and are an excellent source of potassium, fiber, and the antioxidant quercetin in addition to lycopene.
Gardening Terms
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