When do Volunteer Tomato Plants Come Up Every Year?

If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, you may be familiar with volunteer tomato plants - the ones that come up on their own without being planted. These plants can be a pleasant surprise for gardeners, but when do they typically come up? Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Volunteer Tomato Plants?

Volunteer tomato plants are those that grow on their own without being planted intentionally by a gardener. They usually come up from seeds that were dropped the previous season and left in the soil over the winter. These plants are considered “volunteers” because they weren’t specifically planted, but they still grow and produce fruit.

When Do Volunteer Tomato Plants Typically Come Up?

The timing of volunteer tomato plants can vary depending on a number of factors, including the variety of tomato, the climate, and the growing conditions. However, in general, volunteer tomato plants tend to come up in the late spring or early summer, once the soil has warmed up enough to support their growth. This can be anywhere from late April to early June, depending on the region.

What Do You Need to Know About Volunteer Tomato Plants?

If you want to encourage volunteer tomato plants in your garden, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it’s important to understand that not all tomato varieties are likely to produce volunteers. Some varieties have seeds that are less likely to survive over the winter or germinate on their own. If you want to encourage volunteers, choose a variety with seeds that are known to produce well in your area.

Second, it’s important to know that volunteer tomato plants may not grow in the same location where you had tomatoes planted the previous season. The seeds may have been dropped elsewhere in the garden or even in a compost pile, so you may need to keep an eye out for new growth in unexpected locations.

Finally, it’s worth noting that volunteer tomato plants may not grow as vigorously or produce as much fruit as intentionally planted tomatoes. They may also be more susceptible to pests and diseases, especially if they are growing in a location where tomatoes have been grown in the past.

Conclusion

Volunteer tomato plants can be a fun and rewarding surprise for gardeners, but they can also pose some challenges. By understanding when these plants typically come up and what factors can impact their growth, you can better prepare for their arrival and enjoy the fruits of their labor.