Yellow Pear Tomatoes
Photo: "tomatoes" by F_A · CC BY 2.0
Tomato · Cherry

Yellow Pear Tomatoes

Indeterminate · Solanaceae

Distinctive pear-shaped, bright yellow heirloom cherry tomato dating to at least the 1800s. Mild, low-acid, sweet flavor. Prolific producer but less sweet than modern hybrids. Excellent for color contrast in salads. Open-pollinated — seeds viable for saving.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
70–78 days
Sun
8+ hours
full sun, 8-10 hours
Spacing
24–36 "
Seed Start
6–8 weeks
before transplant
Container
Not Ideal
10+ gallon pot
Height
6–10 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–10 days
Optimal Temp 80°F
Seed Depth 0.25"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 60°F
Harden Off 10 days

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "
Needs Consistent
Method Drip or base watering

Soil

pH Range 6–6.8
Soil Type Well-draining, rich organic matter
Support Cage — Vigorous indeterminate. Needs sturdy 6ft+ cage or tall stakes.

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: Low Drought: Low

Common Problems

early-blight
Cause: Fungal, more vulnerable due to zero resistance
Prevention: Wider spacing for airflow, mulch, prune lower leaves, copper fungicide
septoria-leaf-spot
Cause: Fungal, common in humid climates
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering, remove infected leaves, copper fungicide
blossom-drop
Cause: Temperature extremes
Prevention: Shade cloth in extreme heat
fruit-cracking
Cause: Inconsistent watering
Prevention: Drip irrigation, consistent deep watering, mulch

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder
Calcium Critical — supplement recommended
Recommended Recipes Root drench, Silica foliar, Worm castings topdress, Compost tea

Harvest

Fully colored bright yellow with no green remaining. Slight give when squeezed. Pear shape should be fully developed — 1-2 inches long, ½-1 inch wide.

Expected Yield 8–12 lbs/plant
Storage 5 days — Counter at room temp stem-side down. Never refrigerate.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Genovese basil Repels aphids and whiteflies
Nantes carrot Different root depth, efficient space use
Flat leaf parsley Attracts beneficial insects
French marigold Repels nematodes and whiteflies
Borage Attracts pollinators

Avoid Planting Near

Herb fennel Fennel inhibits most garden plants

Sources

seed_catalog Seed Savers Exchange seed_catalog Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds seed_catalog Burpee seed_catalog Johnny's Selected Seeds university Penn State Extension university Clemson Cooperative Extension

More Tomatos

Yellow Pear Tomatoes Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Yellow Pear Tomatoes vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Ready to grow Yellow Pear?

Get a personalized planting schedule based on your exact zone with frost dates, task reminders, and feeding plans.

Start Your Garden Plan