Cherry Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Sun-loving vines that reward daily attention with weeks of sweet fruit.
Sun
Full sun (6–8 hrs)
Water
1–1.5 in / week
Soil
Rich, well-drained, pH 6.2–6.8
Spacing
45–60 cm
Days to harvest
60–75 days
Hardiness
Zones 3–11 (annual)
Seasonal Calendar
The method
- 1
Start seeds indoors
Sow 6–8 weeks before last frost, 5 mm deep. Keep soil at 21–24°C for germination in 5–10 days.
- 2
Harden off
Move seedlings outdoors for a few hours daily over 7–10 days once nights stay above 10°C.
- 3
Transplant deep
Bury the stem up to the lowest leaves — buried nodes form extra roots and produce sturdier plants.
- 4
Stake early
Cage or stake at planting. Pinch out side shoots on indeterminate varieties to focus energy on fruit.
- 5
Feed & mulch
Mulch to keep moisture even and prevent splitting. Feed weekly with a potassium-rich liquid feed once flowering starts.
- 6
Harvest
Pick when fully colored and slightly soft. Snip with scissors to avoid tearing the vine.
Common problems
Blossom end rot
Uneven watering + calcium shortage. Water deeply and consistently; mulch heavily.
Leaf curl
Usually heat stress. Shade in extreme afternoons and keep soil evenly moist.
Late blight
Remove affected foliage, improve airflow, avoid overhead watering.
Good neighbors
Field tips
- “Pinch off the first flower cluster on young plants to build a stronger root system.”
- “Yellow lower leaves are normal — remove them to improve airflow.”