How to Grow Cherry Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
Cherry tomatoes are beloved for their sweet flavor and compact size, making them ideal for containers or small gardens. Gardeners prize these fruiting plants for their ease of care and ability to produce abundant crops throughout the warm growing season.
📷 Wikipedia: Cherry tomatoStarting Cherry Tomato: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 6 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for this warm-season crop.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare a well-draining soil mix with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 before starting seeds indoors. Sow seeds about one inch deep, as they typically germinate within five to ten days. Start these seeds six to eight weeks before your last expected spring frost date to ensure strong seedlings ready for transplanting once the weather warms up.
Space plants twenty-four to thirty-six inches apart to allow proper airflow and growth. Install a sturdy trellis or cage immediately to support vines reaching four to eight feet tall. Water deeply and consistently, keeping soil moist but not soggy, while applying mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for common issues like blight or aphids; practice good airflow and remove infected leaves promptly to prevent spread. Harvest ripe fruit fifty-five to seventy days after transplanting by gently twisting them from the vine when they reach full color and softness.
When to Plant Cherry Tomato
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 |
