Grape
Solanum lycopersicum
A larger sister variety of Santa, Juliet is one of the most disease-resistant in our trials. Deep red shiny fruits avg. 2-2 1/4" x 1 3/8-1 1/2", weighing 1 1/2-2 oz. Typically 12-18 fruits per cluster. Delicious, rich tomato flavor for salads, great salsa, and fresh pasta sauce. Good crack resistance, vine storage, and shelf life. AAS Winner. Indeterminate.
Harvest
60d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Grape in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Grape · 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 | — | July – September |
| 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 freshly harvested grape tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain optimal flavor and texture. Never refrigerate unless fully ripe, as cold temperatures below 55°F destroy flavor compounds. Once fully ripe, refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week, bringing them to room temperature before eating.
For preservation, grape tomatoes excel at oven-drying due to their lower moisture content. Halve them and roast at 200°F for 6-8 hours until leathery but not crisp. These concentrate into intensely flavored gems perfect for winter cooking. Freeze whole tomatoes in freezer bags for up to 8 months - their skins slip off easily when thawed, making them ideal for sauces.
For longer storage, can grape tomatoes using a water-bath canning method with added lemon juice or citric acid to ensure proper acidity levels. Their firm texture holds up well in preserves and makes excellent tomato paste when cooked down.
History & Origin
Grape tomatoes emerged from modern breeding programs in the 1990s as seed companies sought to create a cherry tomato alternative with better shipping qualities and longer shelf life. Unlike traditional cherry tomatoes, grape varieties were specifically developed for their oblong shape, thicker skin, and firmer flesh that could withstand commercial handling and transport.
The variety represents a successful hybrid breeding achievement, combining the prolific nature of cherry tomatoes with the durability needed for fresh market sales. Plant breeders focused on developing varieties with concentrated flavor, crack resistance, and the ability to maintain quality during shipping - qualities that quickly made them popular in grocery stores nationwide.
While grape tomatoes lack the deep historical roots of heirloom varieties, they've become a modern garden staple due to their reliability and exceptional productivity. Their development marked a shift toward tomatoes bred specifically for fresh eating and snacking, responding to consumer demand for convenient, flavorful produce. Today, they represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the fresh tomato market.
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 pest-repelling compounds
Carrots
Helps break up soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on tomato pests
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from tomatoes
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve tomato flavor and growth
Asparagus
Tomatoes repel asparagus beetles while asparagus doesn't compete for space
Peppers
Similar growing requirements and can help deter some common pests
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Brassicas
Can stunt tomato growth and compete for nutrients, especially when mature
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Early Blight (Intermediate); Late Blight (Intermediate)
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworm, spider mites
Diseases
Early blight, late blight, septoria leaf spot, blossom end rot