Husky Gold
Solanum lycopersicum 'Husky Gold'
This compact determinate hybrid produces beautiful golden-orange tomatoes on sturdy plants perfect for containers and small spaces. Bred specifically for patio growing, it delivers exceptional flavor in a manageable plant size, making it ideal for urban gardeners and anyone wanting fresh tomatoes without a large garden.
Harvest
70-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Husky Gold in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Husky Gold · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| 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 ripe Husky Gold tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain optimal flavor. Refrigeration extends shelf life to 1-2 weeks but diminishes the sweet, fruity taste this variety is prized for. Keep at 55-60°F if possible - a cool pantry or basement works well.
For preservation, Husky Gold's lower acidity makes it excellent for freezing whole or in pieces for later use in cooked dishes. Simply wash, core, and freeze in freezer bags. The beautiful golden color is preserved well through dehydration - slice and dry in a food dehydrator or low oven for concentrated sweet tomato flavor.
While canning is possible, you'll need to add lemon juice or citric acid due to the variety's naturally low acidity. The mild, sweet flavor makes Husky Gold particularly good for making golden tomato sauce or paste that won't overpower delicate dishes.
History & Origin
Husky Gold was developed as part of the University of New Hampshire's breeding program specifically targeting container gardening enthusiasts and urban growers with limited space. Released in the late 1990s, it emerged from the growing demand for compact tomato varieties that didn't sacrifice flavor for size.
The variety was bred by crossing determinate cherry tomato lines with larger fruited varieties to achieve the perfect balance of manageable plant size and substantial fruit production. The golden coloration comes from reduced lycopene and increased beta-carotene levels, giving the fruits their distinctive color and mild, sweet flavor profile.
Husky Gold represents the modern movement toward 'patio vegetables' - varieties specifically engineered for container culture rather than traditional garden beds. This breeding focus addressed the needs of apartment dwellers, elderly gardeners, and anyone wanting homegrown tomatoes without the space or physical demands of full-sized plants.
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 and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and attracts beneficial insects
Oregano
Repels aphids and spider mites while attracting pollinators
Carrots
Loosens soil around tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and benefits from tomato's shade
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes and causes wilting
Fennel
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
Corn
Both attract corn earworm and compete for similar nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #321360)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good disease resistance including verticillium and fusarium wilt resistance
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites in container culture
Diseases
Blossom end rot (especially in containers), early blight, bacterial speck