How to Grow Weston Park Silverado
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Weston Park Silverado
Solanum lycopersicum 'Weston Park Silverado'
vegetableWeston Park Silverado is a determinate (bush) tomato variety known for its silvery-gray foliage and compact growth habit. It produces medium-sized red fruits with excellent flavor and is particularly valued for ornamental appeal alongside culinary use. This heirloom variety is relatively disease-resistant and well-suited to container growing.
When should you plant Weston Park Silverado in your zone?
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Example Weston Park Silverado timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Weston Park Silverado
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 Weston Park Silverado
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Weston Park Silverado dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with protection and extended season techniques
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerging, followed by first true leaves. Distinctive silvery-gray foliage begins to show.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily. Maintain temps 70-75°F. Begin light fertilizing once true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and bushy growth. Silvery foliage becomes more pronounced. Compact determinate habit becomes apparent.
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting. Maintain consistent moisture. Pinch off lower leaves as plant grows. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters on compact plant. Plant reaches mature height (typically 2-3 feet). Silvery foliage provides striking visual contrast.
Continue consistent watering to support fruit set. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; switch to higher phosphorus formula. Gently shake plant or use bees/pollinators to encourage pollination.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksGreen marble-sized fruits develop and gradually enlarge to medium size. Fruits begin color change from green to orange-red over 2-3 weeks.
Maintain steady water schedule; inconsistent watering causes cracking and blossom-end rot. Apply mulch to regulate soil temperature. Support fruit-laden branches if needed.
Harvest
Ongoing, 4-8 weeks depending on climateFruits turn fully red and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Skin becomes glossy. Plant may continue producing in cool climates.
Pick fruits at full color for best flavor. Harvest regularly to encourage further production. Continue watering until frost or end of season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, plant dill or parsley as trap crops
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Spray with water to dislodge, increase humidity, use neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage predatory mites
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Spray with water, use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil; plant companion herbs to repel
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Remove lower leaves as plant grows, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply copper fungicide if needed
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Remove affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, mulch, apply fungicide at first signs
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryWeston Park Silverado produces medium fruits with excellent sweet-acidic balance ideal for fresh slicing in salads or serving whole. The heirloom genetics provide superior tomato flavor compared to commercial varieties. [source]
Sauces and preserves
CulinaryThe moderate size and good flesh content make these tomatoes suitable for cooking down into sauces, salsas, and canned preserves with rich tomato depth. [source]
Ornamental garden feature
OrnamentalThe distinctive silvery-gray foliage is highly decorative and creates striking visual contrast in gardens or containers, making it valuable for landscape design beyond food production. [source]
Container and patio gardening
HouseholdThe compact, determinate growth habit and attractive foliage make Weston Park Silverado ideal for container growing on patios, balconies, and in small spaces where space is limited. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs a true heirloom variety, seeds can be saved from mature fruits for next season's planting, making it economical for gardeners who want to preserve this genetic line. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pick tomatoes when fully red and they yield slightly to gentle pressure. Harvest in morning when cooler. For ripened flavor, pick at 'breaker stage' (when color just begins to change) if frost threatens. Determinate varieties like this produce most fruit within a concentrated period. Continue regular harvesting to encourage continued production.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The silvery-gray foliage is caused by fine hairs (trichomes) that reflect light and help protect the plant from excessive sun and some pests while giving it an almost metallic appearance.
- 🌱 Weston Park Silverado is an older heirloom variety with historical significance in ornamental kitchen gardening, prized by gardeners who appreciate both aesthetic appeal and culinary quality.
- 🌱 As a determinate variety, this tomato produces most of its fruit within a 3-4 week window rather than continuously, making it excellent for canning and preservation projects where you want a harvest glut.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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