Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Celebrity in USDA Zone 7
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Celebrity · Zones 3–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | July – October |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | — | June – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | June – October |
| Zone 8 | January – March | March – May | — | May – November |
| Zone 9 | December – March | February – May | — | April – November |
| Zone 10 | November – March | January – May | — | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Start your Celebrity seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, sowing them ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix kept at 70-75°F. These seeds typically germinate within 7-10 days with consistent moisture and warmth. Use a heat mat if your home runs cool, as warm soil is crucial for strong germination.
Prepare your planting site by working in 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure into well-draining soil. Celebrity tolerates various soil types but thrives in slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Choose a spot with full sun exposure and good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Harden off plants gradually over 7-10 days before transplanting. Space plants 24-30 inches apart in rows 3-4 feet apart, as these determinate plants can spread wider than expected.
Install sturdy 4-foot stakes or cages at planting time to avoid root damage later. Celebrity's determinate growth habit means it will bush out rather than vine, but the heavy fruit load requires solid support. Plant deeply, burying 2/3 of the stem to encourage strong root development.
Feed with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting, then switch to a lower-nitrogen formula once flowering begins to prevent excessive foliage growth. Apply 1-2 inches of mulch around plants, keeping it 3 inches from stems to prevent pest issues and maintain soil moisture.
Water consistently at soil level, providing 1-1.5 inches weekly including rainfall. Inconsistent watering leads to blossom end rot and fruit cracking, even though Celebrity has better crack resistance than most varieties. Water early morning to allow foliage to dry before evening.
Avoid the common mistake of over-fertilizing with nitrogen once fruits form – this delays ripening and reduces flavor. In zones 9-10, provide afternoon shade during peak summer heat. Northern gardeners should choose the warmest, most protected spot available and consider row covers during cool spells.
Maximize yields by removing suckers that emerge below the first flower cluster and pruning lower leaves that touch the ground. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production throughout the 70-75 day growing period.
Harvesting
Celebrity tomatoes are ready when they develop full, deep red color with just a slight give when gently squeezed. Unlike indeterminate varieties, Celebrity fruits tend to ripen in concentrated flushes, making harvest timing more predictable. The shoulder area around the stem should lose its green tinge completely – any green streaking indicates the fruit needs more time.
Perform the gentle twist test: ripe Celebrity tomatoes will release easily from the vine with a slight upward twist and gentle pull. If you meet resistance, wait another day or two. Harvest in early morning when temperatures are cool and fruits are fully hydrated from overnight moisture recovery.
For slicing tomatoes, pick when fruits are fully colored but still firm. They'll soften slightly over 2-3 days at room temperature. If frost threatens, harvest fruits with just a blush of color – Celebrity's reliable ripening genetics allow them to develop good flavor off the vine. Cut the stem with clean shears rather than pulling to avoid damaging the plant's shortened branches, which can still produce additional fruits in the same season.
Storage & Preservation
Store ripe Celebrity tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days for peak flavor, as refrigeration dulls their well-balanced taste. If you must refrigerate, bring them back to room temperature before eating. Slightly underripe fruits will continue ripening on the counter for up to a week.
For preservation, Celebrity's meaty texture and balanced acidity make them excellent for canning whole, crushed, or as sauce. Their medium size is perfect for quartering and freezing in portions – simply core, quarter, and freeze on trays before transferring to bags. The skins slip off easily after thawing. Celebrity also dehydrates well due to lower water content than beefsteak varieties. Slice ¼ inch thick and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours until leathery. Green tomatoes can be pickled or used for relishes when the season ends.
History & Origin
Celebrity was developed by the Rogers Seed Company in the 1980s as part of their quest to create the perfect home garden tomato that combined disease resistance, reliability, and flavor. The breeding program specifically targeted common frustrations of home gardeners: plants that succumbed to soil-borne diseases, produced inconsistently, or required expert care to succeed.
This hybrid represents a breakthrough in determinate tomato breeding, combining the compact growth habit desired for small gardens with the disease resistance package (VFNT) that was typically found only in commercial varieties. The Rogers breeders selected for consistent fruit size, crack resistance, and the ability to set fruit in less-than-ideal conditions – traits that made Celebrity particularly valuable for northern gardeners and beginners.
Celebrity quickly gained recognition in university trials and won the All-America Selections award, cementing its reputation among extension agents and master gardeners. The variety's name reflects its intended purpose: to be the 'celebrity' of home gardens – reliable, productive, and universally appealing. Today, it remains one of the most recommended tomatoes for beginning gardeners and challenging growing conditions.
Advantages
- +Exceptional disease resistance package (VFNT) prevents most common soil-borne problems
- +Determinate habit produces concentrated harvest perfect for preserving and small spaces
- +Superior crack resistance compared to other slicing tomatoes, even in heavy rain
- +Sets fruit reliably in cool conditions where other varieties fail
- +Compact 3-4 foot height reduces staking requirements and wind damage
- +Consistent 6-8 ounce fruit size ideal for slicing and sandwich use
- +Excellent shelf life with fruits holding firm texture for days after harvest
Considerations
- -Determinate growth limits season-long harvest compared to indeterminate varieties
- -Hybrid variety means seeds won't breed true if saved for next season
- -Susceptible to blossom end rot if watering schedule becomes inconsistent
- -Flavor profile lacks the complexity of heirloom varieties, though still good
- -Late blight can still affect plants in humid conditions despite other resistances
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and many pest insects with natural compounds
Carrots
Helps loosen soil around tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Lettuce
Benefits from tomato shade and doesn't compete for deep nutrients
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may repel hornworms
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworms and hornworms, creating pest concentration
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Resistant to Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, Nematodes, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus (VFNT)
Common Pests
Hornworms, cutworms, flea beetles
Diseases
Late blight, bacterial spot, blossom end rot