Cherry tomatoes are bite-sized tomatoes that grow quickly, ripen early, and are good for you. The cherry tomato plant is one of the most popular plants to grow because it is easy to grow and produces a harvest quickly. If you'd like to start growing your own fruits and vegetables, knowing how to grow cherry tomatoes is a great way to begin.
The cherry tomato plant grows rapidly, so you will need to have something to support the vines once they begin to grow long. You can use either a tomato cage or wooden stakes. For a tomato cage, you should purchase a large tomato cage from a nursery or home improvement store. You should buy the largest metal cage you can find. Cherry tomatoes need warm weather to grow and they will die when exposed to frost. The last frost date should pass a week before you begin planting. The weather should be around 70 in Fahrenheit and around 21 in Celsius when planting seedlings.
The popular Roma tomato is a smaller, pear or plum shaped tomato that makes a great choice for canning or making sauce. The determinate growers usually do not exceed 4' in height and produce good quantities of fruit, making it a great choice for those with limited space.
Tomatoes require a long growing season, and are best started indoors 6 weeks before the anticipated transplanting date (after the final frost of the spring). For best results, sow seeds ½" deep in a well-drained, soilless starting mix. Seeds require warm soil between roughly 65-90 degrees F. Warmer soils will promote faster germination. Keep soil moist, but not soggy while awaiting germination. Moderate watering slightly once seedlings break through the soil.
Most tomato varieties require a long growing season; at least 65 days or more. Starting your seeds indoors or in greenhouse, on a heat mat, is recommended. For best results, start your seeds approximately 6 weeks prior to transplanting, after the final frost of the spring. Keep the sowing medium warm (70-90 degrees F), and use a peat-based soilless medium to discourage soil-borne diseases that can trouble tomatoes plants.
Select a location that receives plenty of sunlight, preferably facing south to take advantage of the long hours of the afternoon. Additionally, tomatoes are heavy feeders that will show better, faster growth in a site with soil rich in compost and other nutrient-rich constituents. Fertilize your tomatoes throughout the season, preferably with an organic blend that is lower in nitrogen that can promote leaf health but will compromise fruit quality. After hardening, transplant on an overcast day once soil temps do not drop lower than 55 degrees. For best results, plant can be placed into the ground so that only 4-6 inches extend above the surface of the soil. This will promote stronger root systems, quicker harvests, and sturdier plants. Over the growing season, make sure that your plants receive plenty of light and moisture.