One juicy reward of gardening is biting into a plump
ripe tomato. There are many different
types of tomatoes to choose from, but most gardeners like to include at
least one bush of scrumptious cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes come in red,
orange, yellow and even “black,” and they’re equally sweet and delicious when
they ripen on the vine. Read on for tips on how to grow cherry tomatoes.
Before Planting Cherry Tomatoes
It’s a good idea to know the basics of how to grow cherry
tomatoes before you get started.
In early spring, whether you’ve started
your seeds indoors or purchased seedlings, be sure there’s no more chance
of frost by planting day. Tender seedlings will die if they get too cold. Wait
until your little plants are 6 to 10 inches tall (15-25 cm.), and be sure you
leave at least a couple feet between planting holes. Cherry tomatoes can grow
big and bushy.
As you plan your garden, keep in mind that tomatoes are
happiest in well-draining soil with a pH balance of 6.2 to 6.5, and they
require four to six hours of sun each day.
Look at your cherry tomato seedling in its little container.
You can pluck all the small stems and shoots from the bottom of the seedling’s
main stalk up to a few inches above its current soil line. When you remove it from
its small pot, gently ruffle the existing roots. To plant, bury most of the
bare stalk deeply in the soil, right up to the first remaining stem. This will
give the plant a chance to make lots of extra roots and become strong and
robust as it grows.
To prevent some common problems when growing cherry
tomatoes, sprinkle a handful of lime
into the bottom of each hole, and use a little tomato
fertilizer to give your plants a strong start. Well-rotted manure works
good too. Once they are established, you can fertilize them on the side with
homemade compost or a 10-20-10 plant food, depending on your soil content.
How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes
Continued care involves pinching
off the suckers that pop up when growing cherry tomatoes. Look at where the
branches meet the stalk and form a “V.” Removing the small suckers at these junctions
and at the bottom of the main stalk will let your plant to use more of its
energy to make fruit.
If your cherry tomato plant starts to become bushy, you may
want to sink
a stake a few inches away for support, and to keep the fruit from lying on
the ground. Tie the plant’s main stalk gently to the stake with a piece of yarn
or soft string, and plan to rearrange it as the plant grows.
Cherry tomatoes are happiest with a heavy weekly soaking
rather than frequent light watering. They also thrive when the ripe fruit is
picked every day or two.
Picking Cherry Tomatoes
Depending on your weather, it should take about a couple
months for your cherry tomatoes to ripen. Pick them when they’ve turned their
expected color. When they’re ready, they’ll come away with the gentlest tug.
Every day or two in peak season you’ll have more ripe cherry tomatoes to
harvest.
Picking fresh ripe cherry tomatoes for salads, snacks and
hors d’oeuvres is definitely one of the highlights of gardening.
