How to Grow Trucker's Favorite
Wikimedia Commons
Trucker's Favorite
Solanum lycopersicum 'Trucker's Favorite'
vegetableTrucker's Favorite is a classic mid-season determinate tomato variety prized for its reliable yields and excellent shipping quality. Originally developed for commercial trucking operations, it produces medium-sized, slightly flattened red fruits with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. This heirloom-type tomato is known for its disease resistance and ability to set fruit consistently even in challenging conditions.
When should you plant Trucker's Favorite in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Trucker's Favorite timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Trucker's Favorite
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Trucker's Favorite
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Trucker's Favorite dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, can be grown in zones 3-10 with appropriate timing
Sign up free to see if Trucker's Favorite grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Trucker's Favorite timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeks indoors before transplantingTiny green shoot with cotyledons emerges; first true leaves appear within 1-2 weeks.
Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and moist. Provide bright light once sprouted (14-16 hours under grow lights). Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding waterlogging.
Vegetative/Transplant
6-8 weeks from sowing, or until 6-8 weeks before last frostPlant develops 4-6 true leaves and a strong root system. Ready to harden off and transplant outdoors once soil warms.
Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Fertilize weekly with diluted balanced fertilizer. Install sturdy stakes or cages early to avoid root damage later.
Flowering
2-3 weeksFirst flower clusters appear. Determinate types produce most flowers within a 2-3 week window. Stems become thicker and more woody.
Maintain consistent watering and begin weekly fertilizing with lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus formula (e.g., 5-10-10). Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage over fruit. Pinch side shoots if using indeterminate pruning.
Fruiting
3-4 weeks to full red colorGreen marble-sized fruits develop where flowers were. Fruits rapidly enlarge, then begin to blush and turn red over 3-4 weeks.
Continue consistent watering—critical at this stage to prevent cracking and blossom-end rot. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; focus on calcium and potassium. Mulch heavily to regulate soil temperature and moisture. Prune excessive foliage only if fruit is sunscalded.
Harvest
2-3 weeks for determinate flushFruits reach full mature red color and slight give when gently squeezed. Determinate types produce bulk of harvest in 2-3 week window.
Pick fruits at first blush or full red. Vine-ripened fruit has best flavor but can be harvested at the breaker stage (first blush) if wildlife or weather is a concern. Continue watering to extend production.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick daily or early morning; encourage parasitic wasps; spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if infestation is heavy.
-
Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
-
Spray with strong water spray to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide if severe; increase humidity.
-
Remove lower leaves as plant grows; mulch to prevent soil splash; ensure good air circulation; apply copper fungicide or sulfur if needed.
-
Avoid wetting foliage; remove infected leaves immediately; use copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; ensure good drainage and airflow.
-
Plant resistant varieties; practice crop rotation (3-year minimum); remove infected plants; sterilize tools.
Uses
Canning & Sauce
CulinaryTrucker's Favorite's firm flesh, high acid content, and reliable flavor make it ideal for canning whole, making sauce, and producing juice. Its commercial heritage ensures consistent results for preservation. [source]
Fresh Eating & Sandwiches
CulinaryThe balanced sweet-tart flavor and sturdy texture make these tomatoes excellent for slicing and fresh eating. They hold up well to shipping, so they maintain their form and flavor for several days. [source]
Soups & Stews
CulinaryThe firm flesh and good flavor profile work well in cooked dishes where structure matters, such as tomato soups, stews, and braised dishes. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Benefits
MedicinalLike all red tomatoes, Trucker's Favorite is rich in lycopene and other antioxidants. Fresh tomatoes contribute to heart health and may have anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdAs a stable heirloom variety, Trucker's Favorite is excellent for home seed saving. Seeds are easy to ferment and save for future seasons, preserving genetic material. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Trucker's Favorite is a determinate variety, meaning it flowers and fruits heavily over a 2-3 week window, making it ideal for canning or large harvests at once. Begin harvesting when fruits are at the 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) or fully red. For best flavor, allow to fully ripen on the vine. Fruits can be picked slightly early and ripened indoors if necessary. The variety is known for excellent shipping and storage qualities, remaining firm longer than many heirlooms.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Trucker's Favorite was developed in the mid-20th century specifically for commercial trucking operations, where its firm texture and resistance to cracking during transport made it the ideal choice for long-distance shipping before modern refrigeration.
- 🌱 This variety earned its name because truckers who transported produce would often keep a few fruits for themselves—it was considered the 'trucker's choice' for its reliability and flavor.
- 🌱 Trucker's Favorite is a determinate type, setting and ripening most of its fruit within a narrow timeframe, making it perfect for commercial canning operations and home gardeners wanting a concentrated harvest for preservation.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Trucker's Favorite planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Trucker's Favorite seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Trucker's Favorite timeline →