Cherry, Grape, or Miniature Tomatoes
Planting, Growing, and Harvesting
Cherry and Miniature Tomatoes
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow cherry, grape, or miniature tomatoes in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- How many cherry, grape, or miniature tomato plants to grow
- Growing conditions for cherry, grape, or miniature tomatoes
- When to plant cherry, grape, or miniature tomatoes
- How to plant cherry, grape, or miniature tomatoes
- Watering, fertilizing, and pruning cherry, grape, or miniature tomatoes
- Companion plantings for cherry, grape, or miniature tomatoes
- How to harvest, store, and use cherry, grape, or miniature tomatoes
Growing Cherry and Miniature Tomatoes
Cherry and miniature tomatoes are warm-season, tender perennial, fruiting vegetables. They grow as bushy plants in sizes from dwarf or patio cultivars, 24 in. (60 cm) tall and wide, to full-sized varieties, 6 ft. (1.8 m) or more in diameter and height.
Smallest of the tomatoes at 3/4–1-1/2-in. (19–38 mm) in diameter, they make a perfect snack and salad food. They ripen in hues of gold, red, yellow, purple, black and even zebra-stripe green.
Many hybrid miniature tomatoes grow tall, single-stalk vines with trusses——handful-sized bunches—of fruit at intervals along the staked vine.
Cherry Tomato Plant and Care Guide
How Much to Plant
Allow 1 plant of each cultivar per household member, mixing early and late cultivars.
How to Plant
Seed germinates in 8–10 days.
Tomato seed germination and early plant development vary with soil temperature. To start indoors, sow seed in bedding flats or containers 10–14 weeks before soil is expected to warm to 55°F (13°C) and harden seedlings 7–10 days before transplanting. Set out seedlings in full sun when soil warms to 55–85°F (13–29°C).
To plant outdoors in garden soils warmed to 55°F (13°C) or higher, allow 6–8 weeks for first flower set and tomato development.
Hot Climates: Plant in late summer, after heat has broken, and when 3 months of warm weather remains. Sow 2–3 seeds 1/2-in. (12-mm) deep, 18 in. (45 cm) apart, thinning to 3 ft. (90 cm) apart. Plant seedlings 3 ft. (90 cm) apart, in rows 35–45 in. (90–115 cm) apart.
For staking cultivars, thin to 24 in. (60 cm) apart, in rows 35–45 in. (90–115 cm) apart, installing stakes or cages at time of planting [See: Installing Tomato Cages].
Best Conditions for Growth
65–90°F (18–32°C). Flowers may fail to set fruit at temperatures over 85°F (29°C). Shade plants in full sunlight at temperatures over 90°F (32°C).
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich. 5.5–6.8 pH. Prepare soil at least 3 ft. (90 cm) deep.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist during growth and flowering; avoid wetting foliage, fruit, or vines. Reduce water after fruit set to improve flavor. Fertilize monthly with 5–10–10 formula until fruit begins to set; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. Mulch. Stake or train tall vine varieties along a string or wire. For container plantings, choose pots at least 2 ft. (60 cm) deep with ample drainage. Inspect frequently for foliage damage or droppings due to tomato hornworm, a large, green moth larva, and other pests.
Pairing Recommendations
Asparagus, basil, borage, calendula, carrots, chamomile, chives, garlic, marigolds, onions, parsley, and shallots.
Maturity, Picking and Gathering
50–90 days. Pick when full colored and desired size for eating; when green for pickling. Ripe tomato dimples when a fingernail presses its skin. Support vines while gently removing fruit.
How to Store and Preserve
Fresh at 60–70°F (16–21°C), for 7–10 days; pickled, processed and canned or frozen, to 2 years. Grow tomatoes in containers indoors for year-round fruit; in winter use ultraviolet plant lights to supplement sunlight, an equivalent of at least 6 hours’ sunlight per day.