When to Plant Cherry Tomato Seeds

Cherry tomatoes are some of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow in your garden. They are even easy to grow in small pots if you don't have a garden. However, the success of your cherry tomato plants depends largely on when you plant them. So, when is the best time to plant cherry tomato seeds?

Spring or Fall

Cherry tomato plants grow best in warm weather, so you should plant them in the spring or fall. Sow the seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area if you are planting them in the spring. The spring is the most popular time to plant cherry tomato seeds because it gives the plants enough time to mature before the summer heat arrives.

If you live in a region that has mild winters, you can plant cherry tomato seeds in the fall. Sow the seeds about eight to ten weeks before the first expected frost date in your area. The plants will have a head start in the cool weather and should start producing fruit when the warmer temperatures arrive in the spring.

Soil Temperature

In addition to planting cherry tomato seeds in the right season, you should also plant them in soil that is at the proper temperature. Cherry tomato seeds should be planted in soil that has a temperature of at least 60°F (15.5°C). Lower soil temperatures can cause poor germination rates, slow growth, and disease problems.

You can check your soil's temperature with a soil thermometer, which can be purchased at most garden centers. To warm the soil, you can cover the area where your cherry tomato seeds will be planted with black plastic for a few days before you sow the seeds. The black plastic traps heat from the sun and warms the soil.

Conclusion

In summary, the best time to plant cherry tomato seeds is in the spring or fall, depending on your region. Make sure to sow the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date in the spring or eight to ten weeks before the first expected frost in the fall. Additionally, make sure your soil temperature is at least 60°F (15.5°C) before planting your seeds. Follow these tips, and you will have a robust cherry tomato crop in no time.