BEST SOIL FOR GROWING CHERRY TOMATOES

Like most tomatoes, cherry tomatoes need a loose, nutritious, slightly acidic soil (about 6.0-6.5 pH). They need full sun and plenty of water.

PROPER CARE OF CHERRY TOMATOES

Although the fruit is small, cherry tomatoes are still full-sized tomato plants, so be prepared to grow them as such. They are best started indoors about eight to ten weeks before you’ll be ready to give them a permanent spot in your garden. They should be transplanted well after the last frost and when the spring sun is warming the soil to nearly 70F daily. Make sure to harden the young plants before transplanting, of course.

Most grape tomatoes will require staking or caging to do well. Spacing should be 24-36 inches apart (in all directions) and stakes or cages should support the plant and individual stems as needed. Once tomatoes begin to appear, they begin to really crowd in there, so be ready for a large harvest.

Fertilize your cherry tomatoes often. Liquid fertilizer or compost tea is best and should be applied with enough water to dilute it down so it doesn’t burn the plants: 1:20 for liquids and 1:10 for tea.

Finally, make sure to water them often. Cherry tomatoes, like most varieties, need a lot of water to do well and to grow healthy, tasty tomatoes.

WHEN TO HARVEST CHERRY TOMATOES

In about 70 days, you should begin to see the tomatoes turning red. Once they are nearly full red, they will become loose on the vine and can be easily picked. A tiny shoulder around the stem should be green when you pick – any later and the tomatoes will soften and begin to lose flavor.