Tomato Seeds - Cherry - Gold Nugget
60 Days to maturity (from transplant). Solanum lycoperscium. Gold Nugget Tomato Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, determinate, cherry tomato. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to disorders. The award-winning Gold Nugget tomato has quickly become an international favorite, celebrated for its unparalleled sweetness, color, and early yields. ~7,500 Seeds/Oz.
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Growing Gold Nugget Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden
To grow Gold Nugget tomatoes, you'll want to sow the seeds indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost date. Plant them about 1/4 inch deep in organically-rich, well-drained soil that receives full sun. Gold Nugget tomatoes are determinate, meaning they are more compact, bush-like plants that set their fruit all at once and conclude the harvest. Thus, planting multiple seeds in intervals a week apart allows for an extended harvest season. They generally mature in about 60 to 69 days from transplant, but to have an early crop, start the seeds indoors in mid to late February and transplant by mid-April. This award-winning variety is celebrated for its delightful orange cherry tomatoes and resistance to disorders. It's suitable for garden plots, raised beds, and even greenhouses, with a bush height of 18 to 36 inches.
Maintain well-drained, loose (sandy loam) soil that is slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8) and retains moisture, but be cautious about excessive nitrogen in the soil, which can lead to excessive foliage and reduced fruit production. They benefit from adequate phosphorus and potassium for optimal fruiting. Regular watering is crucial, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to diseases. Monitoring for common pests like aphids, tomato hornworms, and whiteflies, as well as diseases such as blossom end rot and powdery mildew, is important. Consider using organic neem-based products to address pest and disease issues. Companion plants like basil and marigolds can help deter pests and enhance growth. Stake or provide support for the plants as the fruit develops to prevent damage.
Harvesting Gold Nugget Tomatoes
Gold Nugget tomatoes are a determinate variety, which means they produce their fruit all at once and cease growing after a single harvest. To determine when to harvest these golden cherry tomatoes, watch for signs of ripeness. When the fruits develop a vibrant orange color and have a slight give when gently squeezed, they are ready to pick. The skin should have a glossy appearance. Use a pair of clean scissors or garden shears to snip the ripe tomatoes from the vine, leaving a small stem attached. Be gentle when harvesting to avoid damaging the plant. Since all the fruit ripens at once, plan to pick them as soon as they reach maturity to enjoy the best flavor and quality.
About Gold Nugget Tomato Garden Seeds
This heirloom cherry tomato variety was developed in the 1980s by Oregon State University. It has gained recognition and popularity over the years, receiving accolades such as the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Award of Garden Merit in England. The Gold Nugget tomato is celebrated for its outstanding sweetness, rich orange color, and early yields.
While this variety wasn't explicitly bred for a specific growing climate, it's known to thrive in various environments, making it versatile for gardeners in different regions. Gold Nugget tomatoes have gained acclaim for their resistance to disorders and adaptability to different conditions.
Gold Nugget tomatoes can be grown in large containers or pots, making them suitable for this type of gardening. While they might not be the ideal choice for hanging baskets due to their determinate growth habit, they can certainly be cultivated in containers on patios or balconies. This allows gardeners with limited space to enjoy the exceptional flavor of these cherry tomatoes.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"To enhance the sweetness and flavor of your Gold Nugget tomatoes, provide them with a consistent water supply. Irregular watering can lead to issues like blossom end rot and cracked fruit. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to ensure a steady moisture level in the soil. Additionally, applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants helps retain soil moisture and keeps the roots cool during hot spells."
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- Chelsea Hafer, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Gold Nugget Tomato Seeds Per Package:
- 250 mg packet - Approximately 66 Seeds
- 0.25 oz - Approximately 1,875 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 7,500 Seeds
- 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 30,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 120,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Gold Nugget Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Solanum lycoperscium (previously Lycopersicon esculentum) |
| Tomato Type: | Cherry - Small fruited tomatoes that are often round or pear shaped. Typically the size of marbles but still smaller than a golf ball. |
| Gold Nugget Tomato Color: | Orange |
| Gold Nugget Tomato Flavor: | Flavor Description |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual: Not intended to overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 60 to 69 Days (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24 to 36 Inches |
| Row Spacing: | 36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18 to 36 Inches |
| Growth Habit: | Determinate - Determinate tomatoes are more compact, bush-type plants that set their fruit all at once and end the harvest. They won't continue to produce tomatoes after that. By planting multiple plants in intervals a week apart, you can continue to harvest for longer periods. |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting. Tomatoes like more phosphorus and potassium than other vegetables. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F) |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes, start Indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost date. |
| Plant Width: | 24 to 36 Inches |
| Growth Speed: | Early - Ready for harvest from about 60 to 69 days (or less, depending on variety) from transplant to harvest. Including time for indoor seed starts, this can range to about 130 days (or less depending on the variety) from sowing the seed to harvest. To have a tomato by the 4th of July, you would have to start seeds indoors from mid to late February and transplant by mid-April at the latest. |
| Germination Temperature: | 65-85 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to disorders. Common pests known to harm tomato plants, in general, include the tomato hornworm, cutworm, aphids, flea beetles, tomato fruit worms, and whiteflies. Also, watch for common diseases such as blossom end rot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, late blight, bacterial canker/spot, and tobacco mosaic virus. Most of these can be prevented by maintaining a regular watering schedule and avoiding overwatering. Regularly check your plants for pest damage throughout the season. For treating pest and disease problems, we recommend using an organic neem-based product. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Tomato Use: | Salads, fresh eating, small slicing,etc. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat, Drought, Humidity, Cold |