Growing Guides

How to Grow Tomato ‘Floradade’

A heat-tolerant, determinate tomato bred for hot climates — produces firm, flavorful fruits ideal for slicing, canning, or fresh eating.

Sowing & Germination

• Start Indoors: Sow seeds 6–8 weeks before your last frost date
• Planting depth: ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix
• Germination time: 5–10 days at 70–80°F
• Transplanting: Harden off and transplant outdoors when seedlings are 6–8 inches tall and night temps stay above 55°F
• Spacing: 18–24 inches apart in rows 24–36 inches apart

Light & Growing

• Requires full sun — at least 6–8 hours daily
• Determinate growth habit — compact and doesn't require pruning
• Ideal for hot, humid regions — developed in Florida for extreme heat tolerance
• Provide support with cages or short stakes to keep fruits off the ground

Watering & Soil

• Water deeply and consistently, especially during flowering and fruiting
• Keep leaves dry to prevent fungal disease — water at the base
• Grow in rich, well-drained soil with added compost
• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Harvesting Tomatoes

• Fruits mature in 75–80 days from transplanting
• Harvest when fruits are fully red and slightly firm
• Pick regularly to encourage continued fruit production
• Excellent for slicing, sandwiches, sauces, and preserving

Growing Tips

• Rotate crops yearly to avoid soil-borne diseases
• Feed with balanced organic fertilizer every 2–3 weeks
• Monitor for common pests like aphids, hornworms, and whiteflies
• Floradade performs exceptionally in southern U.S. zones and other hot areas

Why Grow Tomato ‘Floradade’?

• Bred for extreme heat — thrives where other tomatoes fail
• Determinate variety — compact and uniform harvest
• Firm, flavorful fruits ideal for fresh use and preserving
• High resistance to cracking and common tomato diseases

 Tomato ‘Floradade’ is the go-to choice for gardeners in hot climates — reliable, robust, and loaded with rich-tasting red tomatoes all season long.