How to Grow Cherry Belle
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherry Belle'
Cherry Belle tomatoes are a popular warm-season variety prized for their sweet flavor and reliable production. Gardeners grow them for their ease of care and excellent resistance to fruit cracking. These compact plants thrive in full sun and deliver a bountiful harvest of small, delicious cherries.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Cherry Belle: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Cherry Belle is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors; plant seedlings directly outdoors only after the last frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently.
Soil, care & harvest
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date when soil is still cold outside. Use a potting mix adjusted to a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 for optimal nutrient uptake. Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in warm, moist soil. Germination typically occurs within 5 to 10 days once temperatures are consistent.
Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and fruit development. Install sturdy cages or trellises early as these vines can reach up to 10 feet tall. Provide high, consistent moisture to prevent splitting, and apply mulch around the base to retain water while feeding regularly with balanced fertilizer.
Watch for birds, tomato hornworms, aphids, and spider mites; use row covers or hand-pick pests early. Monitor closely for late blight, early blight, and powdery mildew by ensuring good airflow and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest fruits 65 to 70 days after transplanting when they reach full color and yield easily.
When to Plant Cherry Belle
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | September – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
Companion Plants for Cherry Belle
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Provides ground cover and doesn't compete for space or nutrients
Deters nematodes and aphids with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Repels various pests and may enhance tomato flavor
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
May stunt tomato growth and compete for soil nutrients
Both attract corn earworm and compete for similar nutrients
Inhibits tomato growth through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
