How to Grow Matt's Wild Cherry
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
Matt's Wild Cherry is a unique heirloom tomato variety known for its exceptional disease resistance and stress tolerance. Gardeners prize this plant for its crack-resistant fruit and vigorous growth that often outpaces common pests like the tomato hornworm.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Matt's Wild Cherry: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Matt's Wild Cherry is not usually started indoors.
Do not transplant seedlings; plant seeds directly into the garden only after the last frost date has passed and soil temperatures are warm enough for this heat-loving tomato.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your garden bed with rich soil adjusted to a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, as this variety thrives in these conditions. Since it is a warm-season crop, wait until after the last spring frost when the soil has warmed up before planting outdoors. Do not sow seeds indoors or start them early; plant directly into the ground once frost danger has passed to avoid cold damage.
Space plants 36 to 48 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and growth. Provide consistent moisture, as this tomato variety requires high water levels to prevent cracking. Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and feed the plant regularly during its active growing season to support vigorous development.
While tomato hornworms are a potential pest, the plant's vigorous growth typically outpaces damage, and it is highly resistant to most common diseases. Harvest the fruit approximately 60 days after planting when they reach full size. Pick carefully to avoid splitting, utilizing the variety's natural crack resistance for reliable yields.
When to Plant Matt's Wild Cherry
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 | — | July – September |
| 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 Matt's Wild Cherry
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may deter hornworms
Helps break up soil for tomato roots, doesn't compete for space
Repels aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Grows well in tomato shade, doesn't compete for nutrients
Deters nematodes and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
