How to Grow Wizard of Oz
Wikimedia Commons
Wizard of Oz
Solanum lycopersicum 'Wizard of Oz'
vegetableWizard of Oz is a striking heirloom tomato variety known for its unique bicolor appearance featuring golden-yellow and red striping and marbling. The medium-sized fruits are sweet, flavorful, and visually stunning, making them popular for both fresh eating and ornamental garden displays. This indeterminate variety produces fruits throughout the season on robust, vigorous plants.
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Example Wizard of Oz timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Wizard of Oz
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 Wizard of Oz
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Wizard of Oz dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in zones 3-4 with protection and extended growing season
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) followed by first true leaves. Delicate and pale green.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide bright light and keep soil consistently moist. Maintain temperature around 70-75°F.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksYoung transplants growing taller with increasing leaf development. Plant becomes bushy and establishes strong root system after transplanting outdoors.
Harden off seedlings gradually. Plant after last frost date. Provide sturdy support/stakes early. Begin weekly fertilization once established.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters (trusses) along the stem. Flowers are typically 2-3 weeks ahead of visible fruit.
Ensure consistent watering and full sunlight. Remove lower leaves as plant grows to improve air circulation. Prune suckers on indeterminate varieties for better fruit production.
Fruiting
4-5 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flower trusses. Fruits gradually enlarge and begin showing distinctive yellow and red striping as they mature.
Continue consistent watering and fertilization. Support heavy fruit clusters with cages or stakes. Reduce excess foliage to ensure sun reaches developing fruit for color development.
Harvest
Ongoing, 6-8 weeks or until frostFruits reach full size (2-3 inches diameter) with vibrant golden-yellow background color and red striping throughout. Fully ripe fruits are soft to gentle pressure.
Pick fruits at full color for peak flavor and sweetness. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Can be picked at breaker stage and ripened indoors if needed.
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 for smaller infestations. Plant dill and parsley to attract parasitic wasps.
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce yellow sticky traps. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity and spray with water. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Prune lower leaves, improve air circulation. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Apply copper fungicide preventatively. Remove infected foliage.
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Avoid overhead watering. Ensure good air circulation. Apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide at first sign. Remove infected foliage immediately.
Uses
Fresh slicing and salads
CulinaryWizard of Oz tomatoes are excellent sliced fresh for salads, sandwiches, and other raw applications. Their sweet flavor and attractive appearance make them a showpiece ingredient in culinary presentations. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe balanced acidity and sweetness make these tomatoes suitable for making sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes. The bicolor appearance is preserved in many preparations. [source]
Ornamental garden display
HouseholdThe striking bicolor striping makes Wizard of Oz tomatoes exceptionally ornamental in edible landscaping. They add visual interest and color contrast in vegetable gardens and container plantings. [source]
Container and small-space growing
CulinaryThough indeterminate, Wizard of Oz can be successfully grown in large containers (5+ gallons) with proper support and pruning. This makes it accessible for balcony and patio gardeners. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe abundant yellow flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting broader ecosystem health and improving overall fruit set. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits reach full size with vibrant striped coloration and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Typically ready 75-85 days after transplanting. Pick regularly to encourage continued flowering and fruiting. For best flavor, harvest in the morning. Can pick at breaker stage (first blush of color) and ripen indoors for 2-3 days. Plants produce until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Wizard of Oz tomatoes are named after the famous 1939 film and feature the magical bicolor appearance reminiscent of the whimsical story.
- 🌱 The distinctive red and yellow striping develops best under strong sunlight; fruits grown in partial shade may show less dramatic color contrast.
- 🌱 This is a true heirloom variety that comes true from seed, allowing gardeners to save seeds from their best-producing plants for the following season.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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