Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Mountain Fresh Plus in USDA Zone 7
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Mountain Fresh Plus · 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 Mountain Fresh Plus seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date for best results. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting mix at 70-75°F, and expect germination in 5-10 days. These vigorous seedlings benefit from bottom heat and strong light to prevent stretching.
Prepare your planting site by working 2-3 inches of well-aged compost into well-draining soil. Mountain Fresh Plus thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) with excellent drainage—waterlogged conditions invite the few diseases this variety can still succumb to. Space plants 24-30 inches apart in rows 3-4 feet apart to ensure good air circulation.
Transplant outdoors only after soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days, and plant them deeper than they grew in pots, burying 2/3 of the stem to encourage strong root development.
Install sturdy cages or stakes at planting time—this variety produces heavy fruit loads that require solid support. Use 6-foot stakes or large cages, as plants easily reach 5-6 feet tall. Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting, then switch to lower nitrogen formulations once flowering begins to prevent excessive foliage at the expense of fruit.
Maintain consistent soil moisture through drip irrigation or soaker hoses rather than overhead watering. Inconsistent watering triggers blossom end rot, one of the few issues that can affect this otherwise bulletproof variety. Mulch heavily with 3-4 inches of organic material to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Avoid the common mistake of over-fertilizing with nitrogen after fruit set—this delays ripening and reduces flavor intensity. In zones 9-10, provide afternoon shade during peak summer to prevent heat stress. Remove suckers weekly for better air circulation and disease prevention, though Mountain Fresh Plus tolerates some neglect better than most varieties.
Harvesting
Mountain Fresh Plus tomatoes are ready to harvest when they develop full color but still feel firm to gentle pressure—typically a deep red with slight give when squeezed gently. The shoulders should be fully colored without any green streaking. Harvest in early morning when temperatures are cool and fruits are fully hydrated for best flavor and storage life.
Use the twist-and-pull method: grasp the tomato gently and twist while pulling upward—ripe fruits separate easily from the stem. If you need to tug hard, the tomato needs more time. You can also harvest fruits at the 'breaker' stage (showing first blush of color) if rain or frost threatens, then ripen them indoors at room temperature.
Harvest every 2-3 days during peak season to encourage continued production. Always harvest with the green calyx (stem cap) attached when possible, as this helps maintain freshness. Cut stems with clean pruners rather than pulling if fruits resist removal, which prevents damage to the plant and reduces disease entry points.
Storage & Preservation
Store fully ripe Mountain Fresh Plus tomatoes at room temperature for up to one week for peak flavor—refrigeration dulls their excellent taste balance. Only refrigerate if you can't use them within a week, and bring back to room temperature before serving. These large, meaty tomatoes maintain quality exceptionally well compared to many varieties.
For preservation, Mountain Fresh Plus excels in freezing whole or chopped for cooking uses—simply core, blanch for 30 seconds, and freeze in bags. Their balanced acidity makes them excellent for water-bath canning as sauce, paste, or whole peeled tomatoes. The firm flesh also dehydrates well into flavorful tomato leather or dried chips using a dehydrator at 135°F for 8-12 hours. These tomatoes are less suitable for fermentation due to their mild acidity, but make outstanding fresh salsa that can be frozen for later use.
History & Origin
Mountain Fresh Plus represents modern tomato breeding at its finest, developed in the early 2000s by North Carolina State University's renowned tomato breeding program. This hybrid was specifically created to address the growing problem of late blight and other diseases that were devastating home garden tomatoes across North America, particularly in humid climates and areas with challenging growing conditions.
The variety emerged from crosses between disease-resistant processing tomatoes and high-quality fresh market varieties, combining the bulletproof health of commercial types with the superior flavor home gardeners demand. Dr. Randy Gardner and his team spent over a decade perfecting the genetics, focusing on stacking multiple disease resistance genes while maintaining excellent eating quality.
Mountain Fresh Plus became widely available to home gardeners around 2008 and quickly gained recognition among extension agents and master gardeners for its reliability in difficult conditions. The 'Mountain Fresh' series represents a breakthrough in making truly disease-resistant tomatoes accessible to home growers, addressing the frustration many gardeners faced with traditional varieties failing due to disease pressure.
Advantages
- +Exceptional resistance to five major tomato diseases including late blight and early blight
- +Produces large, crack-resistant fruits even during heavy rain periods
- +Maintains excellent flavor balance despite hybrid vigor and disease resistance
- +Consistent heavy yields throughout the growing season until frost
- +Tolerates neglect better than most tomato varieties
- +Strong determinate growth habit requires minimal pruning
- +Fruits ripen evenly without green shoulders or white core
Considerations
- -Prone to blossom end rot if watering is inconsistent
- -Can develop bacterial speck in extremely humid conditions
- -Requires sturdy staking due to heavy fruit loads
- -Seeds cannot be saved true-to-type as it's a hybrid variety
- -Slightly later maturity than some early varieties at 77-80 days
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Carrots
Helps aerate soil around tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that control aphids
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels whiteflies
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Oregano
Provides ground cover and repels various pests including spider mites
Borage
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may improve tomato growth
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in tomatoes
Fennel
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Cabbage family plants can stunt tomato growth and attract different pests
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm, increasing pest pressure
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to late blight, early blight, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, and tobacco mosaic virus (LB/EB/F/V/TMV)
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, spider mites, thrips
Diseases
Bacterial speck, blossom end rot (with inconsistent watering)