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Want juicy Early Girl tomatoes?
They’re easy to grow!
Learn 7 simple tactics to boost your tomato harvest.
Get ready for fresh, tasty tomatoes in no time.
Let’s get growing!
Pick the Right Spot
Your Early Girl tomatoes need lots of sun, so find a spot in your garden that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. They also prefer well-drained soil.
If your garden soil tends to hold water, consider planting them in raised beds or containers. Trust me, a little extra effort here pays off big time!
Start Seeds Indoors
Kick things off indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Plant your seeds in seed-starting trays and keep them warm.
They’ll need temperatures around 70-75°F to germinate. Once they sprout, make sure they get plenty of light – a sunny window or a grow light will do the trick.
Transplant Carefully
When the seedlings are big enough and the outdoor temps have warmed up, it’s time to move them outside. Harden them off first by placing them outside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time.
Once they’re ready, plant them deep, covering the stem up to the first set of leaves. This helps develop strong roots.
Feed Your Tomatoes
Tomatoes are hungry plants! Use a balanced fertilizer when you first transplant them.
Once they start setting fruit, switch to a low-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer. Always water the soil, not the leaves, to keep diseases at bay.
Mulch around the plants can also help retain moisture and keep weeds down.
Prune and Support
Pruning isn’t just for rose bushes. Snip off the lower leaves and any “suckers” (small shoots between the main stem and branches) to promote better air circulation and fruit production.
Also, use cages, stakes, or trellises to support your plants as they grow. This keeps the fruit off the ground and makes harvesting easier.
Keep an Eye on Pests
Pests like aphids, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies can be a pain. Check your plants regularly and use organic treatments if you spot any uninvited guests.
Companion planting with basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums can help deter some pests naturally, giving your Early Girls a better chance to thrive.
Harvest Time!
Early Girl tomatoes are usually ready to harvest in about 50-60 days. They should be a vibrant red and slightly firm to the touch.
Pick them regularly to encourage more fruit production. If frost is coming and you still have green tomatoes, bring them inside to ripen.
Voilà! Fresh, homegrown tomatoes for your salads, sandwiches, and sauces.