How to Grow Valencia
Solanum lycopersicum
Valencia tomatoes are a beloved heirloom variety known for their rich flavor and classic red color. Gardeners prize them for producing abundant fruit in warm conditions, making them a staple choice for summer harvests.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Valencia: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Valencia is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors or sow early; plant directly outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your soil to a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 before planting. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil is consistently warm to sow seeds or transplant seedlings. Press seeds about 1/4 inch deep into the earth. Expect germination within seven to fourteen days under these optimal conditions.
Space plants twenty-four to thirty-six inches apart to ensure good air circulation. Install sturdy stakes or cages early, as vines can reach ten feet tall. Provide high water consistently to prevent cracking and apply mulch to retain moisture. Feed the plants regularly with a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Watch for tomato hornworms, aphids, cutworms, and flea beetles by inspecting leaves frequently. Prevent fungal issues like late blight and early blight through proper spacing and airflow; avoid overhead watering to reduce blossom end rot risks. Harvest ripe fruit approximately seventy-six days after transplanting when the skin yields slightly to gentle pressure.
When to Plant Valencia
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 | — | August – 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 Valencia
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Benefits from tomato shade and doesn't compete for nutrients
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Repels pests and may enhance tomato growth through root interactions
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that control aphids
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Heavy nitrogen feeders that compete with tomatoes for nutrients
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
