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Growing Small Red Cherry Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden

To plant Small Red Cherry tomatoes, start indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost date. Plant the seeds at a depth of about 0.25 inches in a well-draining, loose, and slightly acidic (pH 6.2 to 6.8) soil. Ensure the soil is moisture-retaining but avoid overwatering, as too much moisture can lead to issues like blossom end rot. Small Red Cherry tomatoes are indeterminate, so they require support like a cage or trellis to allow them to grow and sprawl throughout the season. Once the seedlings have developed several leaves and the risk of frost has passed, typically after your last spring frost, transplant them into your garden plot, raised bed, or greenhouse. Make sure to space the plants 24 to 36 inches apart, with rows set 36 inches apart. Small Red Cherry tomatoes typically mature in around 75 days from transplant and produce sweet, juicy fruits that are great for salads, pickling, or preserves. Keep an eye out for volunteers in your garden next spring, as these tomatoes may self-seed.

Small Red Cherry tomatoes, as with most tomato plants, benefit from regular maintenance throughout the growing process. To ensure a healthy harvest, provide them with adequate support like a cage or trellis due to their indeterminate growth habit. This helps prevent sprawling and makes it easier to harvest. Regularly check for common tomato pests like the tomato hornworm, cutworm, aphids, and whiteflies, as well as diseases such as blossom end rot and powdery mildew. These can be prevented by maintaining a consistent watering schedule and avoiding overwatering. For a companion planting tip, consider planting basil near your Small Red Cherry tomatoes. Basil can help deter pests and also complements the tomatoes in various culinary dishes. Pruning the lower leaves can help improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease. Remember to provide a consistent supply of nutrients throughout the growing season by using a balanced organic fertilizer. Small Red Cherry tomatoes are versatile and excellent for salads, fresh eating, and small slicing, adding a burst of flavor to your dishes.

Harvesting Small Red Cherry Tomatoes

Small Red Cherry tomatoes are indeterminate, vine-type plants that produce fruit continually throughout the growing season. To harvest them, you'll need to keep an eye on the tomatoes and pick them as they ripen. The fruit is typically ready to harvest when it reaches a bright red color and feels firm yet slightly yielding when gently squeezed. These small cherry tomatoes are about 0.5 to 0.75 inches in size and are known for their juicy and sweet flavor with a touch of acidity. To harvest, simply grasp the ripe tomatoes and gently twist or cut them from the vine using clean, sharp shears. Be careful not to damage the plant while harvesting. Since these tomatoes are indeterminate, you can continue harvesting as long as the plant produces fruit, which can extend throughout the growing season, providing a steady supply of fresh, delicious cherry tomatoes.

About Small Red Cherry Tomato Garden Seeds

Small Red Cherry is an heirloom tomato variety that dates back to the pre-1840s. This classic tomato is beloved for its charming, bite-sized fruit that adds a burst of flavor to a variety of dishes. The tomatoes are typically 0.5 to 0.75 inches in size and are cherished for their sweet, juicy flavor with a touch of acidity. They are often used in salads, pickling, and for making preserves. Being an heirloom variety, Small Red Cherry tomatoes have been passed down through generations for their exceptional taste and reliability.

While this variety may not have been specifically bred for any particular trait or growing climate, it has stood the test of time due to its exceptional flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Gardeners love growing Small Red Cherry tomatoes for their classic, rich tomato taste. These indeterminate vines can produce an abundance of fruit, making them a great choice for garden plots and raised beds.

It's possible to grow Small Red Cherry tomatoes in containers as long as you provide adequate support for the sprawling vines and ensure the container is of a suitable size. Hanging baskets can be used to grow them as well, but you'll need to support the vines and be prepared for their vigorous growth. While they may require a bit more care in containers and hanging baskets, the reward of homegrown, delicious cherry tomatoes is certainly worth the effort.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Try encouraging a controlled pruning method called "single stem" training. This technique involves allowing a single main vine to grow while regularly removing any additional side shoots or "suckers" that appear in the leaf axils. By training your Small Red Cherry tomato plant in this manner, you can concentrate its energy on producing larger and sweeter cherry tomatoes on the main stem. Pruning away the suckers also improves airflow around the plant, reducing the risk of disease. Be sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears or your fingers to pinch off the suckers gently to avoid damaging the main stem. This method may require more attention but can result in healthier, more productive plants and even better-tasting tomatoes."

- Chelsea Hafer, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Guide to Tomatoes

Small Red Cherry Tomato Seeds Per Package:

• 300 mg packet - Approximately 65 Seeds
• 0.25 oz - Approximately 1,700 Seeds
• 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 6,800 Seeds
• 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 27,200 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 108,800 Seeds
• 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 544,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Small Red Cherry Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.