Early Tomatoes

To grow early tomatoes, plant cultivars, such as Celebrity, Early Boy, Mountain Delight, Pik-Red, Mountain Spring, Red Pak, Spring Giant, or Bonus. These cultivars bloom earlier and require a shorter period from bloom to harvest.

Use container-grown plants that have a large root system. Remember, the larger the container, the larger the root system and the earlier the tomatoes.

About two weeks before planting, apply the lime and fertilizer as suggested in a soil test report. If you haven't had your soil tested, apply six pints of 8-8-8 fertilizer and six pints of agricultural lime
per 100 feet of row. Broadcast the fertilizer in a band about 3 or 4 feet wide and work it into the upper six inches of soil.

If you're going to stake or trellis them, space the plants 18 to 24 inches apart in the row. If you're going to use a cage, space them 36 inches apart.

Place boxes or other covers over the plants when frost is predicted. You can use plastic covers, but don't let the plastic touch the plants. Be sure to remove the plastic before the sun strikes it in the morning. Mulch the plants with 3 to 4 inches of organic material.

Consumer Horticulture | Quick Reference