They also impart a rich, sweet flavor to quick sauces.
Plants can be grown in locations where temperatures fluctuate between night and day, such as desert climates.
Tomato plants require rich soil, warm temperatures, and plenty of sunshine to grow.
Credit:USDA ARS Photo Unit , USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Wait until the threat of frost has passed before setting tomato plants out in the garden.
see to it your plants still have full eastern exposure so they get plenty of morning sun.
Water
Tomato plants require even moisture to prevent fruit cracking.
Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Deep, infrequent soakings are better than more frequent light sprinklings.
Water from the base of the plant or use drip irrigation to minimize foliar disease.
Tomatoes may not set fruit or ripen properly when daytime temperatures exceed 90F.
Fertilizer
Tomato plants are moderate feeders.
Repeat this lower app every three to four weeks through the end of the harvest season.
A related determinate pop in, called ‘Bush Early Girl’, is also available.
The acronyms refer to disease resistance.
The earliest fruits mature within 50-59 days.
This cultivar takes a few days longer to mature.
As a determinate tomato, it produces a single large crop in about 54 days.
Pruning
Pruning determinate tomatoes like ‘Bush Early Girl’ reduces their harvest.
Only prune indeterminate varieties, which grow continuously until the first frost.Pruning thesewill improve airflow and encourage fruit production.
Finally, use sharp, sterile pruners to remove any vines that are hanging close to the ground.
Any additional branches or shoots emerging from the base of the plant are pruned away.
Also, remove the lowest leaves to minimize foliar disease.
Do this in spring or early summer while there is still time for new plants to grow and mature.
Hybridization produces crops with superior traits by cross-pollinating two plants with different desirable characteristics.
The resulting seedlings carry traits from each of the parent plants but are not identical to either.
Hybrids are often more vigorous than traditionally bred varieties and have more consistent traits.
Because they are hybrids, you must purchase new seed or starter plants for your crop each year.
Choose a container with a drainage hole that is at least 18 inches wide.
Fill it with potting mix that includes organic matter or mix in 3 or 4 inches ofcompost.
Add a sturdy stake,trellis, or small cage into the pot to help support the plant.
Add slow-release organic vegetable fertilizer according to package directions, then water well.
Add a thin layer of mulch to help conserve moisture.
Potted tomatoes must be watered more frequently.
Water the pot any time the top inch of soil is dry.
Hardening off slowly acclimates plants to outdoor conditions to avoid shocking them with the drastic change in environment.
Increase the length of time seedlings are outside each day and slowly increase exposure to sunlight and wind.
Harvest and Storage
For the best flavor, allow tomatoes to ripen fully on the vine.
Early Girl tomatoes darken to an even deep red color when ripe.
Ripe tomatoes are often easy to pull from the vine by hand.
It is best to store tomatoes at room temperature.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Tomatoes are susceptible to a number of diseases.
Two other common diseases, early blight and anthracnose, are due to fungi.
The best way to manage fungal diseases in ‘Early Girl’ tomatoes is through proper spacing and watering.
Finally, practice good sanitation and use mulch to prevent spores in the soil from splashing onto leaves.
Use a copper fungicide if the problem becomes serious.
Tomatoes are also susceptible to viral infections, including Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus and Tobacco Mosaic Virus.
Many viruses are transmitted from one plant to another through insect feeding.
Viruses also spread readily through the garden through simple handling, on clothing, and on equipment.
This is why it is important to sterilize pruning equipment regularly.
Infected plants will not recover and should be removed.
Smokers should wash their hands before working in the garden to prevent transmitting Tobacco Mosaic Virus.
Manage weeds in and around the garden to reduce habitat for vectoring insects and practice good sanitation.
Tomato foliage attracts a wide variety of pests.
Small caterpillars can be sprayed with Bt or insecticidal soap.
If you see long, thin beetles eating the foliage, you may have blister beetles.
Both are difficult to control with insecticides but can be dropped into a can of soapy water.
Set tomatoes on your counter to finish ripening.
This occurs most often when excessive rain or irrigation follows periods of drought.
If you are experiencing a heatwave, try increasing the frequency of watering.
Containers can be moved to a spot with a little protection from afternoon sun.
Fertilize the plant if you have not done so in the past few weeks.
Fruit Not Setting
Once the temperature soars over 90F, blossoms tend to drop off of tomatoes.
But the humidity of the air also plays a role in setting fruit.
In very humid weather, pollen can become too sticky to transfer within the flowers.
In very dry weather, pollen can become too dry to stick and achieve pollination.
In high heat, pollen may not be viable even when it does transfer successfully.
Once the weather improves, your plant should start setting fruit again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are very popular and productive varieties with globe-shaped, red fruits.
All tomato plants are self-pollinating, because each flower has all the parts necessary for reproduction.
Vibrations cause the pollen to fall within the flower and pollinate itself.
While buzzing bees can help pollinate tomatoes, wind does much of the work.
Plants that are sheltered from the wind in a greenhouse or tunnel sometimes have trouble self-pollinating.
ASPCA.Our Top Three Summer Garden Safety Tips.
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.Solanum lycopersicum.
