How Do You Plant Cherry Tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes are a great addition to any garden. They are easy to grow and produce an abundance of juicy, sweet tomatoes that are perfect for snacking and cooking. If you're interested in growing these delicious little fruits, here's how to get started:

Choosing Your Variety of Cherry Tomato

The first step to growing cherry tomatoes is to choose the right variety for your garden. Some popular varieties of cherry tomatoes include Sweet Million, Sun Gold, and Black Cherry. Consider whether you prefer determinate or indeterminate varieties, as this will affect the size of your plants and the amount of fruit they produce. Indeterminate tomatoes will continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season, whereas determinate tomatoes will produce all of their fruit at once.

Starting Your Seeds

You can start your cherry tomato seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. Use a seed starting mix and plant your seeds about ? inch deep. Keep the soil moist and the seeds warm (around 75 degrees Fahrenheit) until they germinate. Once your seeds have sprouted, move them to a sunny window or under grow lights and keep them watered and fertilized until you're ready to transplant them outside.

Transplanting Your Seedlings

Once your cherry tomato seedlings have grown to about two inches tall, they are ready to be transplanted outside. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil, and space your plants about two feet apart. Pinch off the lower leaves on your seedlings and plant them a little deeper than they were in their pots, so that the soil covers the remaining stem. This will encourage stronger root growth and more stable plants.

Caring for Your Cherry Tomato Plants

Once your cherry tomato plants are in the ground, it's important to keep them well-watered and well-fertilized. These plants thrive in warm, sunny locations, so make sure they get plenty of sunlight throughout the day. As your plants grow, you may need to stake them to keep them upright and prevent the heavy fruit from pulling them down. Prune back any yellowing leaves or stems to keep your plants healthy and productive.

Harvesting Your Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes typically ripen in about 60 to 70 days after planting, and can continue producing until the first frost. Harvest your tomatoes when they are fully ripe and vibrant in color. Be sure to pick them carefully to avoid damaging the plants, and store them in a cool, dry location until you're ready to enjoy them fresh or cook them into your favorite recipes.

Growing cherry tomatoes is a fun and rewarding experience for any gardener. With a little care and patience, you'll have a bountiful harvest of these delicious little fruits to enjoy throughout the growing season.