How to Grow UCD 6 Tomato
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UCD 6 Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'UCD 6'
vegetableUCD 6 is a determinate processing tomato developed by UC Davis, bred specifically for mechanical harvesting and canning applications. It produces uniform, medium-sized fruits with excellent flavor and firm flesh ideal for paste and sauce production. This cultivar is known for its disease resistance and reliable yields in commercial and home gardens.
When should you plant UCD 6 Tomato in your zone?
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Example UCD 6 Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant UCD 6 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 UCD 6 Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact UCD 6 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 3-10 with proper timing
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Seedling
2-3 weeksEmergence of cotyledons and first true leaves; small, tender growth
Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily indoors. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain temperature 70-75°F. Thin to strongest seedlings if direct seeding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingDevelopment of bushy foliage and branching; plant establishing root system and stem thickness
Harden off transplants gradually before planting outdoors. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Maintain consistent moisture. Remove lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow flowers appearing in clusters along stems; plant reaching mature size
Switch to lower nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus/potassium) to encourage fruit set. Ensure consistent watering to prevent flower drop. Maintain 6-8 hours of direct sunlight minimum. Prune suckers as needed since this is a determinate variety.
Fruiting & Development
3-4 weeksSmall green fruits setting and gradually enlarging; plant concentrated on fruit rather than new foliage
Continue consistent watering to prevent splits and blossom end rot. Apply mulch to regulate soil moisture and temperature. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Provide sturdy support/cages as fruit load increases. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Ripening & Harvest
1-2 weeks; determinate nature means concentrated ripeningFruits turning from green to orange to deep red; plant reaching peak fruit production
Reduce watering slightly once fruits begin ripening to concentrate sugars. Harvest at pink to full red stage depending on use. For processing, harvest all fruit at once as this is a determinate variety ideal for mechanical harvest timing.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps; reflective mulches deter adults
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide or neem oil if severe; encourage natural predators
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Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; mulch to prevent soil splash
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Remove infected foliage; apply copper fungicide; ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Canning, Sauce & Paste
CulinaryUCD 6 was specifically bred for tomato paste and sauce production, with firm flesh, low water content, and excellent flavor concentration. The uniform fruit size and determinate ripening make it ideal for large-scale processing or home canning projects. [source]
Fresh Eating & Cooking
CulinaryWhile primarily a processing variety, UCD 6 produces flavorful medium-sized fruits suitable for fresh eating, salads, and general cooking applications. The firm flesh and balanced acidity make it versatile in the kitchen. [source]
Commercial & Home Preservation
HouseholdThe concentrated ripening window and high yield make UCD 6 exceptional for batch canning, freezing, or sharing from prolific harvests. Its predictable maturation aids in planning preservation timelines. [source]
Lycopene Source
MedicinalLike all red tomatoes, UCD 6 is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with cardiovascular health and disease prevention. Cooked tomato products from this variety deliver concentrated lycopene benefits. [source]
Garden Productivity & Pollinators
WildlifeThe abundant flowering of UCD 6 attracts bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity. High fruit production provides wildlife-friendly garden appeal. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
UCD 6 is a determinate variety, meaning it ripens most fruit within a short window—ideal for mechanical or once-over harvesting. Harvest when fruits reach full red color for best flavor and processing quality. For canning/paste, harvest at full maturity. Fruits can be picked at pink stage and ripened indoors. Since this is a processing tomato, harvest all ripe fruit simultaneously to maximize yield for sauce or paste production.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 UCD 6 was developed by UC Davis specifically for mechanical harvesting, making it one of the few tomato varieties bred to ripen all fruit at once—a trait rarely seen in home garden varieties but revolutionary for commercial processing.
- 🌱 This cultivar was instrumental in modernizing the California tomato processing industry in the 1960s-70s, dramatically reducing labor costs for large-scale canning operations.
- 🌱 The 'determinate' growth habit means UCD 6 naturally stops growing vertically and focuses all energy on fruiting over a concentrated 2-3 week period, making it uniquely suited for one-time harvest and processing rather than continuous picking.
Gardening Terms
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