How to Grow Tiny Tim
Solanum lycopersicum 'Tiny Tim'
Tiny Tim is a compact heirloom tomato prized for its manageable size and reliable yield in small spaces. Gardeners favor this variety because it thrives in containers or tight garden beds while producing flavorful fruit without needing extensive support structures.
📷 Wikipedia: TomatoStarting Tiny Tim: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Tiny Tim is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors before the last frost; instead, wait until soil is warm and all danger of frost has passed before moving seedlings or direct sowing outdoors.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to encourage root development. Since this is a warm-season crop, start seeds indoors only after the last frost date has passed or when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above freezing. Sow seeds about one-quarter inch deep; they typically germinate within five to ten days once conditions are warm enough.
Space plants eight to twelve inches apart to allow proper air circulation and airflow around the foliage. While its compact habit often reduces the need for heavy trellising, providing a small cage can help support the fruit. Maintain consistent moisture by watering regularly at the base of the plant and apply mulch to retain soil humidity while feeding with balanced fertilizer as needed.
Watch for aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, treating infestations early with insecticidal soap or strong water sprays. Prevent damping off in seedlings by ensuring good drainage, and avoid root rot by not overwatering. Harvest the fruit forty-five to sixty days after transplanting when they reach full color and yield easily.
When to Plant Tiny Tim
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 | — | August – 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 | — | June – August |
| Zone 8 | February | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 11 | January | — | March – May |
| Zone 12 | January | — | March – May |
| Zone 13 | January | — | March – May |
Companion Plants for Tiny Tim
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Loosens soil for tomato roots and doesn't compete for space
Repels aphids and may improve tomato flavor and growth
Provides ground cover and efficient use of garden space
Deters nematodes and repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Repels many pests and may enhance tomato flavor
Attracts beneficial insects and may improve tomato growth
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Compete for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Both attract corn earworm/tomato hornworm, creating pest problems
Inhibits growth of tomatoes through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
