How to Grow Stupice
Solanum lycopersicum 'Stupice'
Stupice is a beloved heirloom tomato prized for its rich flavor and reliable performance in cooler climates. Gardeners choose this variety for its moderate disease resistance and ability to thrive where other tomatoes might struggle, making it an excellent choice for home gardens seeking quality fruit.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Stupice: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 8 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for tomatoes.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 before planting. As a warm-season crop, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date or direct sow after the ground has warmed up. Press seeds about 1/4 inch deep into the soil. Germination typically takes 7 to 14 days under consistent warmth.
Space plants 24 to 30 inches apart to ensure good air circulation. Provide sturdy support or a trellis, as these vines can reach up to 10 feet tall. Maintain consistent moisture by watering regularly and applying mulch around the base to retain water. Feed the plants with balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Watch for aphids, spider mites, and tomato hornworms; use insecticidal soap or hand-pick pests early. While susceptible to blights, this variety shows moderate resistance; ensure good airflow to prevent fungal issues. Harvest ripe fruit approximately 60 to 65 days after transplanting when the skin yields slightly to gentle pressure.
When to Plant Stupice
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 Stupice
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Repels hornworms and attracts pollinators, may improve tomato growth
Helps break up soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Provides ground cover and efficient use of space without competing for resources
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling whiteflies
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting
Competes heavily for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Inhibits growth of most garden plants including tomatoes through allelopathy
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
