How to Grow Costoluto Genovese
Solanum lycopersicum 'Costoluto Genovese'
Costoluto Genovese is a beloved heirloom tomato known for its deep ribs and rich flavor profile. Gardeners prize this warm-season variety for its adaptability to Mediterranean climates and its ability to produce large, meaty fruits with excellent taste.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Costoluto Genovese: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Costoluto Genovese is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors before the last frost; wait until soil is warm and all danger of frost has passed to plant seedlings or direct sow outdoors.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil adjusted to a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before planting. As a frost-sensitive crop, start seeds indoors only after the risk of spring frosts has passed or wait until soil is warm. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep; they typically germinate within 7 to 14 days once conditions are right.
Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart to ensure good air circulation. Provide sturdy support like a cage or trellis as the vines grow up to 10 feet tall. Maintain consistent moisture levels and apply mulch around the base to retain water, while feeding regularly with balanced fertilizer during the fruiting stage.
Watch for tomato hornworms, aphids, and Mediterranean fruit flies; inspect leaves frequently and use organic controls if needed. Prevent late blight, early blight, blossom end rot, and cracking by ensuring proper watering and spacing. Harvest ripe fruits in 80 to 90 days after transplanting when the skin yields slightly to pressure.
When to Plant Costoluto Genovese
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 Costoluto Genovese
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Loosens soil around tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Benefits from tomato shade and doesn't compete for deep nutrients
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling whiteflies
Repels various insects and may enhance tomato flavor and growth
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Compete for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted nearby
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
