How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes: A Complete Guide

Are you ready to take your gardening skills to the next level with one of the most rewarding crops you can grow? Cherry tomatoes are a gardener’s delight—they’re sweet, juicy, and perfect for snacking straight off the vine. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, growing cherry tomatoes is a fun and fulfilling experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about growing cherry tomatoes, from choosing the right variety to harvesting your bounty.

Why Grow Cherry Tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes are a popular choice for home gardeners for several reasons:

Compact Size: Ideal for small gardens, patios, or even container gardening.
Quick to Mature: Cherry tomatoes often ripen faster than larger varieties, giving you a quicker harvest.
High Yield: These little fruits are prolific producers, often yielding hundreds of tomatoes per plant.
Versatility: Perfect for salads, roasting, or simply popping in your mouth as a snack.

Selecting the Right Cherry Tomato Variety

With so many cherry tomato varieties available, it can be hard to choose just one. The good news is, you don’t have to! Here’s a rundown of some of the best varieties to consider:

1. ‘Sweet 100’

Taste: As the name suggests, ‘Sweet 100’ is known for its super-sweet flavor.
Growth: Indeterminate variety, which means it will keep growing and producing fruit until frost.
Yield: High yield with clusters of up to 100 fruits.

2. ‘Sungold’

Taste: A golden-orange variety with a tropical, fruity flavor.
Growth: Indeterminate, with vigorous growth.
Yield: Prolific producer, often with clusters of up to 15-20 tomatoes.

3. ‘Black Cherry’

Taste: Rich, complex flavor with a hint of smokiness.
Growth: Indeterminate, grows well in warm climates.
Yield: Abundant, dark purple-brown fruits.

4. ‘Yellow Pear’

Taste: Mild, sweet flavor with a pear shape.
Growth: Indeterminate, suitable for both gardens and containers.
Yield: Heavy producer with small, yellow fruits.

5. ‘Tiny Tim’

Taste: Classic cherry tomato flavor.
Growth: Determinate variety, making it perfect for containers and small spaces.
Yield: Compact plant, but still produces plenty of fruit.

Starting Cherry Tomatoes from Seed

Starting your cherry tomatoes from seed can be a rewarding experience, as it gives you the opportunity to grow unique varieties that aren’t always available as transplants. Here’s how to get started:

1. Timing Is Key

Start Indoors: Cherry tomatoes should be started indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date.
Germination: Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days when kept at 70-75°F.

2. Seed Starting Setup

Containers: Use seed trays, peat pots, or any small containers with drainage holes.
Soil: Choose a lightweight seed-starting mix to give your seeds the best chance at sprouting.
Sowing Seeds: Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep, cover lightly with soil, and gently water.

3. Caring for Seedlings

Light: Place the seedlings in a bright spot or under grow lights for 14-16 hours a day.
Temperature: Keep the seedlings in a warm area, ideally between 70-75°F.
Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Overwatering can lead to damping off, a fungal disease that kills young seedlings.

4. Thinning and Transplanting

Thinning: Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them out by cutting the weaker seedlings at soil level, leaving one strong seedling per pot.
Transplanting: When the seedlings are 3-4 inches tall and the outdoor temperatures are consistently above 50°F, they’re ready to be hardened off and transplanted into the garden.

Preparing Your Garden for Cherry Tomatoes

Before you plant your cherry tomatoes outdoors, you’ll need to prepare the garden to ensure they have the best possible start.

1. Choosing the Right Spot

Sunlight: Cherry tomatoes need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a sunny spot in your garden.
Soil: Cherry tomatoes prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

2. Preparing the Soil

Amendments: Work in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil and improve its texture.
Testing pH: If the soil pH is too low, add lime to raise it. If it’s too high, add sulfur to lower it.
Mulching: Consider adding a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Transplanting Cherry Tomatoes

Transplanting is a crucial step in the growing process. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Hardening Off

Process: Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Start by placing them outside in a sheltered location for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their time outdoors.

2. Planting

Depth: Plant your cherry tomato seedlings deep, burying two-thirds of the stem. This encourages a stronger root system.
Spacing: Space plants about 2-3 feet apart for indeterminate varieties and 1-2 feet for determinate varieties. This spacing ensures good air circulation and room to grow.
Watering In: Water the seedlings thoroughly after transplanting to help them settle into their new environment.

Caring for Cherry Tomato Plants

Once your cherry tomatoes are in the ground, proper care will help them thrive and produce an abundance of fruit.

1. Watering

Consistency: Cherry tomatoes need consistent moisture to produce juicy, crack-free fruit. Aim to provide about 1-2 inches of water per week, either through rainfall or supplemental watering.
Method: Water at the base of the plants rather than overhead to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

2. Feeding

Initial Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer at planting time to give your cherry tomatoes a good start.
Ongoing Feeding: Once the plants start flowering, switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium to encourage fruiting. Feed every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.

3. Staking and Supporting

Stakes and Cages: Indeterminate varieties benefit from staking or caging to keep the plants upright and prevent the fruit from touching the ground. Use sturdy stakes, tomato cages, or a trellis system.
Tying: As the plants grow, tie the main stem to the stake or cage with soft plant ties, leaving room for growth.

4. Pruning

Suckers: Prune off suckers (the small shoots that grow in the leaf axils) to direct the plant’s energy into producing fruit rather than foliage.
Lower Leaves: Remove the lower leaves as the plant grows to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Cherry tomatoes can be susceptible to various pests and diseases. Keeping a close eye on your plants and taking preventive measures can help keep them healthy.

1. Common Pests

Aphids: These tiny insects suck sap from the plants, causing stunted growth. Control aphids with insecticidal soap or by introducing natural predators like ladybugs.
Tomato Hornworms: These large caterpillars can quickly defoliate a plant. Handpick them or use organic insecticides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Whiteflies: These small, white insects feed on the underside of leaves, leading to yellowing and wilting. Neem oil or insecticidal soap can help control whiteflies.

2. Common Diseases

Blight: Early and late blight can cause dark spots on leaves and stems, leading to plant decline. Prevent blight by practicing crop rotation, spacing plants properly, and avoiding overhead watering.
Fusarium Wilt: This soil-borne fungus causes yellowing and wilting of the plant. Use disease-resistant varieties and avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot year after year.
Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease appears as white powdery spots on leaves. Improve air circulation around plants and use fungicides if necessary.

Harvesting Cherry Tomatoes

One of the most rewarding parts of growing cherry tomatoes is harvesting the fruits of your labor. Knowing when and how to harvest will ensure the best flavor and quality.

1. When to Harvest

Ripeness: Cherry tomatoes are ready to harvest when they’re fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. The exact timing depends on the variety, but most cherry tomatoes ripen 60-80 days after transplanting.
Daily Checks: During peak season, check your plants daily for ripe tomatoes. Picking them regularly encourages the plant to produce more fruit.

2. How to Harvest

Gently Twist: Gently twist the tomatoes off the vine, or use a pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut them off if they don’t release easily.
Handle with Care: Cherry tomatoes are delicate and can bruise easily, so handle them carefully.

3. Storing Your Harvest

Room Temperature: For the best flavor, store your cherry tomatoes at room temperature and use them within a few days.
Refrigeration: If you need to store them longer, you can refrigerate them, but let them come to room temperature before eating for the best taste.

Enjoying Your Cherry Tomatoes

After all the hard work of growing, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! Cherry tomatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.

1. Fresh Snacking

On Their Own: Cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking straight off the vine. Their sweet, juicy flavor makes them a favorite among kids and adults alike.
In Salads: Add cherry tomatoes to salads for a burst of color and flavor. They pair well with fresh greens, mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

2. Cooking with Cherry Tomatoes

Roasting: Roasted cherry tomatoes develop an intense sweetness and can be used in pasta dishes, on pizzas, or as a side dish.
Sauces: While typically used fresh, cherry tomatoes can also be cooked down into a quick sauce that’s perfect for pasta or as a base for other dishes.

3. Preserving the Harvest

Freezing: Cherry tomatoes can be frozen whole for later use in cooking. Simply wash, dry, and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.
Drying: Dehydrated cherry tomatoes make a tasty snack or a flavorful addition to soups and stews. Use a food dehydrator or dry them in a low oven.

Growing cherry tomatoes is a joy for gardeners of all levels. With their sweet flavor, high yield, and versatility, these little fruits are a must-have in any garden. By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful harvest of delicious cherry tomatoes. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your gardening gloves, and get ready to enjoy the sweet success of growing your own cherry tomatoes!