Gold Medal Tomato – MIg

Product Summary

Gold Medal Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a stunning heirloom beefsteak tomato known for its large, flattened, bicolored fruits. The tomatoes ripen to a beautiful golden yellow and develop rich rosy-red to orange blushes, with colorful marbling extending into the flesh. It is prized for its exceptionally sweet, mild, low-acid flavor and is perfect for slicing and fresh eating.

Description

Gold Medal is a classic American heirloom with an impressive combination of appearance and flavor. The large fruits commonly weigh around 1–2 lb (450–900 g), with some fruits capable of reaching even larger sizes under excellent growing conditions. They have a broad, slightly flattened beefsteak shape with attractive ribbing and a distinctive blossom end.

As the fruit ripens, the yellow-golden skin develops rosy-red to orange coloring, while the interior reveals beautiful red and orange marbling. The flesh is firm yet juicy, with a rich, sweet and mild flavor and relatively low acidity.

Gold Medal is an open-pollinated, indeterminate heirloom and produces fruit over an extended season. Plants can grow large, so strong staking or trellising is recommended.

When to Plant in the UAE

Start indoors: August
Transplant outdoors: October

Starting seeds indoors in August gives the plants time to establish before transplanting outdoors in October, when temperatures become more suitable for tomato production in the UAE.

Planting & Care Tips

• Light: Full sun, ideally 6–8 hours of direct sunlight.
• Soil: Fertile, nutrient-rich and well-draining soil.
• Sowing depth: About 0.5 cm.
• Germination: Approximately 7–14 days under warm conditions.
• Spacing: 60–75 cm between plants.
• Support: Strong stake, cage or trellis recommended because the plants are indeterminate and can become large.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Avoid large fluctuations in moisture during fruit development.
• Feeding: Add mature compost before planting and use a balanced tomato fertilizer throughout the growing season.
• Pruning: Remove lower leaves and selected suckers as needed to improve airflow and keep the plant manageable.
• Harvest: Pick when fruits develop their characteristic golden-yellow color with red-orange blush and give slightly to gentle pressure.
• Uses: Fresh slicing, sandwiches, salads, bruschetta, roasting and sauces.