How to Grow Red Robin
Solanum lycopersicum 'Red Robin'
Red Robin tomatoes are a popular warm-season variety known for their compact growth and disease resistance. Gardeners prize this hybrid for its manageable size in small spaces while delivering abundant fruit in just two months.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Red Robin: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Red Robin is not usually started indoors.
Since this is a warm-season crop sensitive to cold, wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are warm before moving seedlings outdoors.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure optimal nutrient uptake. As a warm-season crop, start seeds indoors only after the last frost date has passed or when soil is reliably warm; do not sow early. Plant seeds one-quarter inch deep in seed trays. Expect germination within seven to ten days under consistent warmth.
Space plants six to eight inches apart to maintain their compact habit and ensure good air circulation. Provide sturdy support like a cage or trellis as the vines grow vertically. Water consistently to keep soil moist but not soggy, avoiding wet foliage. Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and feed regularly with balanced fertilizer.
Watch for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites in hot weather; inspect leaves frequently and use insecticidal soap if needed. The plant's natural resistance helps minimize fungal issues. Harvest ripe red fruits fifty-five to sixty-five days after transplanting when they yield slightly to gentle pressure.
When to Plant Red Robin
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 | — | July – September |
| 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 Red Robin
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while improving tomato flavor
Deters hornworms and attracts pollinators and beneficial insects
Loosen soil around tomato roots and don't compete for nutrients
Repel aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Provides living mulch and utilizes space efficiently without competition
Deter nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in tomatoes
Compete for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted nearby
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic chemical compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
