How to Grow Ace 55
Solanum lycopersicum 'Ace 55'
Ace 55 is a heat-tolerant tomato variety known for its robust resistance to common fungal issues like fusarium wilt. Gardeners favor this hybrid for its reliability in warm climates and ability to thrive under high humidity, making it an excellent choice for summer production.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Ace 55: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Ace 55 is not usually started indoors.
This variety should be planted directly into the garden only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for tomato growth.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before planting. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil is fully warm to plant outdoors directly. Do not start indoors earlier than necessary for transplanting; seeds germinate in 7 to 10 days at appropriate warmth.
Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart and provide sturdy support or trellising, as heights can reach up to 10 feet. Maintain consistent moisture levels by watering regularly and applying mulch to retain soil heat and humidity. Feed the plants periodically with a balanced fertilizer to support heavy fruit production throughout the season.
Watch for tomato hornworms, aphids, cutworms, and spider mites; inspect leaves frequently and remove pests by hand or use organic controls if needed. Prevent late blight and bacterial spot through good air circulation, while blossom end rot often results from irregular watering. Harvest ripe fruit 80 to 85 days after planting when the color is fully developed.
When to Plant Ace 55
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | October – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
Companion Plants for Ace 55
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for space or nutrients
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases with natural sulfur compounds
Provides living mulch, conserves soil moisture, and utilizes different root zones
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with strong scent compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs
Repels spider mites, aphids, and provides ground cover to retain moisture
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in tomatoes
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted too close
Both attract corn earworms and hornworms, creating concentrated pest problems
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit tomato growth and development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
