Green Zebra tomatoes are a unique and popular heirloom tomato variety perfect for the garden! They have a sweet yet tangy flavor and are green striped with dark green and yellow.
Start your tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in the soil. Sow the seeds in a tray at 1/4" deep and about 1" apart. Keep the room temperature at around 20°C (70°F) until germination. Also, ensure proper lighting with a grow light or in front of a sunny window; keep the soil moist, but make sure drainage is adequate. When the second set of leaves emerges, transplant the seedlings into individual pots and bury the stems as low as possible to promote optimal rooting.
Don't forget to acclimate your plants a week before putting them in the garden to harden them. Note that tomatoes do not tolerate cold and should not be planted in the garden until all threat of frost is eliminated. Plant in full sun in rich, well-drained soil, and again, bury your plants as low as possible to encourage rooting. If you provide them with a trellis, space your plants about 2 feet apart, but if you prefer to let the plants spread, space them 3 to 4 feet apart.
Tomatoes often perform better when they have a trellis or support, as this protects them from pests and diseases related to excessive contact with the soil. As the plants begin to grow, tie them to the support to aid their development. Temperatures below 12°C (55°F) can decrease production, so protect the plants if temperatures drop. Water the plants but avoid wetting the leaves as much as possible to prevent them from yellowing. As soon as frost arrives, all tomatoes must be harvested, even the green ones. Unripe tomatoes will eventually ripen if stored in a warm place away from direct sunlight.
