How to Grow Ace 56
Solanum lycopersicum 'Ace 56'
Ace 56 is a reliable warm-season tomato variety prized for its resistance to cracking and heat stress. Gardeners choose this cultivar for its consistent production and moderate disease tolerance in challenging climates.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Ace 56: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Ace 56 is not usually started indoors.
Because this is a frost-sensitive warm-season crop, you should transplant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of spring frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed up.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the ground is fully warm to sow directly or transplant outdoors. Start seeds indoors only if your local season requires an early head start, but be prepared to move them quickly. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep; germination typically occurs within 6 to 12 days.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in full sun for at least six hours daily. Install a sturdy trellis or cage immediately, as the plant can reach heights of one to ten feet. Maintain consistent moisture to prevent cracking and apply mulch to retain water. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer to support heavy fruit production throughout the season.
Watch for tomato fruitworms, aphids, and spider mites in hot weather; inspect leaves frequently and use organic controls if needed. Prevent bacterial speck and early blight by ensuring good air circulation and watering at the base. Harvest ripe fruits approximately 70 to 75 days after planting when they yield slightly to gentle pressure.
When to Plant Ace 56
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | September – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
Companion Plants for Ace 56
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may deter hornworms
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels whiteflies
Repels many pests and may enhance tomato flavor when grown nearby
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
✗ 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 earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit tomato growth and development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
