For the best results, it is recommended that all seeds be started indoors as transplants. Fill pots with a seed starter mix and some organic matter: compost, store-bought fertilizer, etc. Then direct sow half an inch deep. Water the pots lightly daily and leave them in a sunny spot. Once transplants have reached about 3-4 inches in height, harden them off by placing them outside in the shade, then gradually increasing the amount of sunlight throughout the week. Two weeks before transplanting, choose a spot in full sun, dig a hole a foot deep, and mix in compost or manure. Once the last frost ends (usually March in zone 9b), you are safe to plant. Finally, transplant tomatoes deep enough to cover the root ball with the bottom leaves just above the surface. The spacing should be 2-3 feet apart. Water deeply the first few days, 2 inches a week for the growing season.

 However, if you choose to direct sow then the soil temperature must be around 70 degrees. In Napa zone 9b this occurs around the end of May. Direct seed ½ inch deep in a sunny spot, with soil rich in nutrients. Make sure to give each plant at least 2 feet of space.

These tomato varieties are all indeterminate, which means they produce a strong leafy structure and should be staked. Place stakes during planting, and tie plants with a soft stretchy material such as nylon, or an old strip of a t-shirt.