Tomatoes are my favorite fruits/veggies (depending on which group you belong). But cherry tomatoes? I love them so much, I even got one tattooed on my hand!
Since I started gardening, I knew I had to go with tomatoes first. And trust me, it was a struggle for a bit (cut me some slack, I was a newbie). The soil, the watering, the pests, the splitting… there’s a lot to figure out.
But hey, I’ve managed, and so can you!
If you want to turn your garden into your own mini tomato factory, stick around because I am about to share my tomato growing secrets with you.
Pick The Right Cherry Tomato Variety
I remember panicking about picking the right tomato variety, I mean, there are SO MANY of them.
After I tried lots and lots of different cherry tomatoes, I narrowed down my top varieties to these three beauties:
🍅 Sweet 100 – These babies are like candy from the garden, bursting with sweetness! Plus, they keep producing until the frost hits. Perfect for snacking, grilling, or tossing into your favorite dishes.
🍅 Patio Sunshine – These golden delights are ready to harvest in just 45 days. They’re compact enough for containers and baskets, so even if you’re short on space, you can still enjoy fresh tomatoes!
🍅 Cherry Punch – This one’s the absolute best! Not only does it mature super fast, but it’s also filled with vitamin C and lycopene. And bonus: it’s perfect for small gardens and pots!
Related: If You’re Short On Space, Grow Your Tomatoes Upside Down And Get Bountiful Yield
Plant Your Cherry Tomatoes Properly
Now that you’ve decided on the variety, start digging. Cherry tomatoes should be planted after the last frost and when daytime temperatures stay above 60°F (one time I planted them too early and frost got them all).
If you’re starting from seeds, plant them indoors six to eight weeks before transplanting. Starting cherry tomatoes from seeds is a breeze if you plan ahead. Begin indoors and, once the seedlings sprout, transfer them outside to your garden or containers on your patio.
Here’s what you have to gather first:
🍅 Seed trays or small containers
🍅 Seed starting mix
🍅 Tomato seeds
🍅 Plastic wrap or dome
These are the steps you should follow when planting cherry tomatoes:
1. Prepare seed trays – six to eight weeks before the last frost date, fill seed trays with seed starter mix and place the seeds into the mix.
2. Cover and wait – cover the trays with a dome or plastic wrap.
3. Light Exposure – ensure the seeds get 15 hours of bright light daily, using LED or fluorescent lights if needed.
4. Transplant – once the seedlings are at least six inches tall with two to three sets of true leaves, plant them outdoors.
I love starting my cherry tomatoes from seeds because it gives them a head start and protects their delicate seedlings from pesky insects.
Follow The Right Care Guide Afterwards
If you’ve done everything right, now is the time to keep them happy and healthy.
Since these plants thrive in USDA zones 2 through 11, I am sure most of you guys will be able to grow them in your gardens without that much trouble.
Here’s a quick guide to help you grow these tasty little gems successfully:
🍅 Support – cherry tomatoes need support as they grow. Use stakes, trellises, or cages to keep the plants upright and help them produce fruit more effectively.
🍅Sunlight – tomatoes love the sun! They need six to eight hours of full sun each day for the best yield and taste.
🍅Soil – plant your tomatoes in rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Aim for a slightly acidic soil pH between 6 and 7.
🍅 Watering – tomatoes need regular, deep watering. Water thoroughly, allowing the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. For container plants, water until you see it seep out from the drainage holes.
🍅 Fertilizer – enhance your soil with aged manure or compost when planting. You can use an organic feed, like fish emulsion, every two weeks until flowers appear. Once the plant starts flowering, switch to a high-potassium or balanced formula until the end of the season.
🍅Protection – regularly check your tomatoes for pests such as aphids, cutworms, nematodes, and whiteflies. Use neem oil to keep these pests far away from your beloved cherry tomatoes.
This might be helpful: 7 Unexpected Reasons Your Tomatoes Are Splitting And Cracking On The Vine
Harvest It When The Time Comes
Cherry tomatoes are ready to pick when they reach their full size, usually about one inch in diameter.
Here’s how to tell they’re ready for harvesting:
1. Size: about one inch in diameter.
2. Feel: they should feel gentle to press.
3. Color: look for uniform color (while many varieties turn red, others can be yellow, purple, green, or even black when mature).
Here are some extra tips for harvesting:
🍅Do it gently – pull the tomatoes gently from the vine to avoid popping them.
🍅Do a cluster cut – alternatively, cut a branch full of ripe clusters to avoid damaging individual fruits.
Just remember to use good soil, water consistently, and give them plenty of sunlight. A little love and care go a long way!
Once you taste your homegrown cherry tomatoes, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner (I know I did!).