How to Grow Woodbridge Tomato

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Woodbridge Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Woodbridge'

vegetable

Woodbridge is a determinate (bush-type) tomato variety known for its disease resistance and reliable production of medium-sized, flavorful red fruits. Developed by the University of Florida, it combines excellent flavor with strong resistance to common tomato diseases. This variety is particularly valued by home gardeners for its compact growth habit and consistent yields.

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Example Woodbridge Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Woodbridge Tomato
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Woodbridge Tomato
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Woodbridge Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred)

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Water: Consistent moisture, 1-2 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to avoid foliage diseases; maintain even moisture to prevent cracking and blossom end rot

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-80 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Bury stem up to first true leaves; seed depth 0.25 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

compost aged manure peat moss or coco coir perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10, with best performance in zones 5-9

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small plants with cotyledons and developing true leaves; typically 2-4 inches tall

Provide bright light (14-16 hours), maintain soil moisture, keep temperature 70-75°F; thin to one plant per cell if growing multiple

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Compact bushy plant developing multiple branch systems, 8-18 inches tall before first flowers appear

Harden off transplants gradually before planting; plant deeply; provide support stakes or cages early; fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer

Flowering

Continuous, 2-3 weeks between flower clusters

Plant produces clusters of yellow flowers; determinate variety flowers throughout season rather than all at once

Ensure consistent watering and calcium intake to prevent blossom end rot; maintain air circulation; apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage fruit set

Fruiting

3-4 weeks per fruit set

Fruits develop from flowers, progressing from green to light pink to full red; typically 3-4 inch diameter fruits

Support branches with heavy fruit loads; maintain consistent watering; reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive foliage at expense of fruit; protect from sun scald if needed

Harvest

Continuous until frost

Fully ripe red fruits ready for picking; plant continues producing new flower clusters until frost

Pick fruits at full color; harvest regularly to encourage continued production; remove dead foliage to improve air circulation; manage end-of-season disease pressure

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

basil parsley carrot marigold nasturtium borage garlic onion

Avoid planting near:

fennel cabbage broccoli cauliflower brassicas

Common Pests

Hand-pick when visible; encourage natural predators like wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray if infestation is heavy
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; increase humidity; remove heavily infested leaves
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasps
Spray with water; use insecticidal soap; encourage ladybugs and lacewings; neem oil if severe
Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide; use disease-resistant rootstock
Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide weekly

Uses

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Fresh slicing and salads

Culinary

Woodbridge tomatoes have excellent flavor suitable for fresh eating, slicing onto sandwiches, and use in salads. The medium size and firm flesh make them ideal for slicing without excessive juice loss. [source]

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Sauce and preserving

Culinary

These tomatoes work well for making fresh tomato sauce, salsa, and canning due to their good flesh-to-seed ratio and naturally sweet flavor. Determinate varieties are preferred for preserving because fruit ripens in concentrated waves. [source]

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Nutritional benefits

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to reduced heart disease and cancer risk, plus vitamin C, potassium, and folate. The Woodbridge variety's reliable cultivation ensures consistent nutritional content. [source]

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Disease resistance genetics

Household

Woodbridge was bred for resistance to multiple fungal diseases common in humid climates, making it ideal for organic gardening and reducing the need for fungicide applications. This makes it an excellent educational variety for understanding disease-resistant breeding. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity. Growing Woodbridge and other tomato varieties contributes to pollinator habitat and food sources. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when fully red and slightly soft to the touch; harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering; can pick mature green fruits and ripen indoors if frost threatens; avoid pulling fruits straight down—twist gently to prevent branch damage

Fun Facts

🌱 Woodbridge was developed at the University of Florida specifically for the Southeast's hot, humid climate, which is why it excels at disease resistance—a trait that benefits gardeners in any challenging environment
🌱 Tomatoes are botanically berries, not vegetables; they develop from the flower's ovary and contain seeds embedded in flesh, making Woodbridge tomatoes technically fruits despite culinary classification as vegetables
🌱 Determinate varieties like Woodbridge were revolutionized by early tomato breeding because their compact, bushy habit makes them ideal for canning operations where simultaneous fruit ripening is valuable

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun pH Transplant True Leaves

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