How to Grow Homestead 24
Solanum lycopersicum 'Homestead 24'
Homestead 24 is a robust heirloom tomato celebrated for its excellent heat tolerance and reliable yield in warm conditions. Gardeners prize this variety for its ability to withstand high temperatures while producing flavorful fruit, making it an ideal choice for summer gardens facing intense sun.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Homestead 24: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Homestead 24 is not usually started indoors.
Do not transplant seedlings indoors before the last frost; instead, direct sow seeds or move hardened-off plants outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are warm.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0 before planting. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil is thoroughly warm to sow or transplant directly outdoors; do not start indoors as it is frost-sensitive. Plant seeds at a depth of about 1/4 inch, expecting germination within 7 to 14 days.
Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart in full sun to ensure proper air circulation. Install sturdy cages or trellises early since this variety can grow up to 10 feet tall and requires significant support. Maintain consistent moisture through regular watering, especially during hot spells, and apply mulch around the base to retain water while feeding the plant with balanced fertilizer as needed.
Watch for hornworms, aphids, and spider mites in hot weather; inspect leaves frequently and hand-pick pests or use organic sprays if necessary. Prevent early blight and bacterial spot by avoiding overhead watering and ensuring good airflow. Harvest ripe fruit approximately 80 to 85 days after planting when the skin yields slightly to gentle pressure.
When to Plant Homestead 24
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 Homestead 24
✓ 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 sulfur compounds
Provides living mulch, conserves soil moisture, and matures before tomatoes need full space
Deters nematodes, whiteflies, and other harmful insects with strong scent
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, draws pests away
Repels various insects and may provide some disease resistance benefits
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 similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted too close
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds and attracts harmful insects
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
