Ace 56
Solanum lycopersicum 'Ace 56'
Developed specifically for hot, humid climates where other tomatoes struggle, Ace 56 is a heat-tolerant determinate variety that produces reliable crops even in challenging conditions. This compact plant delivers medium-sized, meaty fruits with excellent flavor, making it ideal for Southern gardens and areas with intense summer heat.
Harvest
70-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Ace 56 in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Ace 56 · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store fully ripe Ace 56 tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for peak flavor, or refrigerate for up to one week if you must extend storage. Never refrigerate unripe tomatoes, as cold stops the ripening process permanently.
For preservation, Ace 56's meaty flesh and balanced acidity make it excellent for canning whole or as sauce – the moderate size fits perfectly in standard canning jars. Process using tested recipes from the USDA or Ball canning guides. The variety also freezes well when diced or pureed; blanch whole tomatoes for 1 minute, then remove skins before freezing in portions.
Dehydrating works particularly well with Ace 56 due to its lower water content compared to beefsteak types. Slice ¼ inch thick and dry at 135°F for 8-12 hours until leathery but pliable. The concentrated flavor makes excellent additions to winter soups and stews.
History & Origin
Ace 56 was developed by agricultural researchers specifically to address the challenges faced by tomato growers in the American South and other hot, humid regions. This variety emerged from breeding programs focused on heat tolerance during the mid-20th century, when agricultural scientists recognized the need for tomatoes that could maintain productivity in climates where traditional varieties failed.
The development of Ace 56 represented a breakthrough in heat-tolerant tomato breeding, combining genes for temperature resilience with maintained fruit quality and flavor. Unlike many early heat-tolerant varieties that sacrificed taste for climate adaptation, Ace 56 was selected to retain the rich, well-balanced flavor profile that gardeners expected from their tomatoes.
This variety gained particular popularity among commercial growers and home gardeners in zones 8-10, where summer heat stress typically limits tomato production to spring and fall seasons. Ace 56's ability to set fruit and maintain plant health during sustained high temperatures made it a game-changer for year-round tomato production in challenging climates, establishing its reputation as a reliable workhorse variety for hot-weather gardens.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels whiteflies
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Carrots
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may deter hornworms
Oregano
Repels many pests and may enhance tomato flavor when grown nearby
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in tomatoes
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit tomato growth and development
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth when planted too close
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to cracking and heat stress, moderate disease resistance
Common Pests
Tomato fruitworm, aphids, spider mites in hot weather
Diseases
Bacterial speck, early blight, heat-related disorders