How to Grow Grape Tomato Red
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme 'Grape Red'
Grape Tomato Red offers a compact, flavorful cherry tomato ideal for small spaces. Gardeners prize its crack-resistant fruit and reliable yield in warm conditions. This variety thrives when given consistent moisture and full sun.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Grape Tomato Red: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Grape Tomato Red is not usually started indoors.
Do not transplant seedlings outdoors until all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are warm enough for tomatoes.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure healthy root development. As a warm-season crop, start seeds indoors only after the last spring frost date has passed or wait until soil is thoroughly warm for direct sowing. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep; they typically germinate within 6 to 12 days.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in full sun. Install a trellis early, as these vines can reach up to 10 feet tall. Maintain high moisture levels consistently to prevent cracking, and apply mulch around the base to retain water. Feed regularly during the fruiting stage for best results.
Watch for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites; use insecticidal soap or strong water sprays if infestations occur. Prevent early blight, late blight, and fusarium wilt by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest the sweet fruit 65 to 75 days after sowing when they turn deep red.
When to Plant Grape Tomato Red
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 Grape Tomato Red
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Repels tomato hornworms and may improve flavor
Helps break up soil and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Deters nematodes and attracts beneficial insects
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Similar growing requirements and pest management needs
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone which is toxic to tomatoes
Can stunt tomato growth and compete for nutrients
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
