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pH: 6.0–6.8  ·  Rich, well-drained, warm; add calcium to prevent blossom-end rot

Balanced at planting; high K and P at fruiting; calcium important

Green Zebra is an indeterminate heirloom tomato prized for its striking yellow-green fruit with darker green stripes that ripen to a golden hue with amber undertones. The unique color makes it visually distinctive on the plate, and the flavor is tart, complex, and tangy with subtle sweetness—ideal for fresh eating and salads. Gardeners grow this cultivar for its novelty, flavor profile, and extended harvest season typical of indeterminate types.

Green Zebra seeds germinate best at soil temperatures between 70–80°F, sprouting in 5–10 days under consistent warmth. They require light to germinate, so sow seeds on the soil surface or barely cover them, and keep the seed tray in bright indirect light or under grow lights. No pre-treatment is necessary, though soaking seeds for 30 minutes before sowing can slightly speed germination.

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date, sowing them about 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix. Once seedlings develop true leaves, thin to one plant per cell or pot and grow under lights, keeping them 2–3 inches above the leaves. Transplant outdoors after the last frost when soil has warmed and plants have 4–6 true leaves; space plants 24–36 inches apart in full sun, burying the stem slightly deeper than it grew in the pot to encourage a strong root system.

Water deeply and consistently—about 1–2 inches per week—keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to prevent cracking and blossom-end rot. Fertilize every 2–3 weeks with balanced fertilizer once flowering begins, or use a tomato-specific formula. As an indeterminate variety, Green Zebra requires sturdy staking or coring to 6–7 feet; prune suckers and lower leaves as the plant grows to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. Watch for early blight, septoria leaf spot, and hornworms; remove affected leaves promptly and handpick pests, or use organic pest management as needed.

Green Zebra matures in 75–80 days from transplanting and is ready to harvest when the fruit transitions from solid green to a yellow-gold base color with amber stripes—it will yield a slight give when gently squeezed. Pick fruit in the morning for best flavor, and continue harvesting until the first frost to encourage ongoing production. Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature away from direct sunlight to preserve flavor; refrigeration diminishes taste. For extended harvest, pick mature green fruit near season's end and ripen indoors on a windowsill.