Cherry Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
Prolific, forgiving, and sweet — cherry tomatoes are the gateway crop for new gardeners. Give them sun, steady water, and a little support and a single plant can hand you hundreds of fruit through summer.
Growing conditions
How to grow it
- 1
Start seeds warm
Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in moist seed mix at ~21°C. takes 5–10 days. Keep the surface damp but not soggy until they sprout.
- 2
Harden off before planting out
About 7–10 days before , set seedlings outside for a few hours, increasing sun and wind each day. This off toughens them so they don't wilt in shock outdoors.
- 3
Transplant deep
After the last frost, into full sun, burying two-thirds of the stem — tomatoes grow roots all along a buried stem, building a stronger plant. Water at the base.
- 4
Water deeply, mulch the surface
Water 2–3 times a week rather than a daily sprinkle, so roots chase moisture downward. around the base to lock in moisture and keep soil temperature steady.
- 5
Prune the suckers, support the vine
or cage the plant early. On indeterminate types, out the side 'suckers' in the leaf joints to focus energy on fruit and improve airflow.
- 6
Feed and harvest
every couple of weeks once fruit sets. Pick when fully colored and slightly soft — regular harvesting keeps the plant producing.
Gardener's notes
- Yellow lower leaves late in the season are normal — remove them to improve airflow.
- No fruit but lots of flowers? Gently shake the plant midday to help , or invite bees with nearby flowers.