Growing Early-Season Tomatoes for Great Taste

Best Flavored Tomatoes for Early-Season Growing

'Anna Russian' (open-pollinated). Slicing tomato. ...
'Beefmaster' (hybrid). Slicing tomato. ...
'Bush Celebrity' (hybrid). Slicing tomato. ...
'Cherry Grande' (hybrid). ...
'Cherry Pink' (hybrid). ...
'Clear Pink Early' (open-pollinated). ...
'Cupid' (hybrid). ...
'Earliana' (open-pollinated).

How can I improve tomato flavor?
How can I get my tomatoes to fruit early?
What happens if you plant tomatoes too early?
What is the fastest growing tomato plant?
Why do homegrown tomatoes taste better than store bought?
What seasoning is good on tomatoes?
What is the secret to growing tomatoes?
What are the earliest tomatoes?
What helps tomato plants grow faster?
What is the best month to plant tomatoes?
What month should you plant tomato seeds?
At what temperature should I cover tomatoes?

How can I improve tomato flavor?

Cooking the tomatoes low and slow in olive oil and heavy seasoning will concentrate their flavor, drawing most of the water out. Drizzle your tomatoes with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper, then roast in a 200-degree oven for about an hour to an hour and a half.

How can I get my tomatoes to fruit early?

To encourage even faster ripening, pinch off side shoots or “suckers” once the main shoots begin setting fruits. Keep your plants watered (drip irrigation and soaker hoses are better than watering over the top), and within a matter of weeks, those little green fruits should mature weeks ahead of schedule.

What happens if you plant tomatoes too early?

Planting too early causes a whole host of problems for tender, young tomato plants. From potential frost and freeze damage, to rot and mold. Allow warmer weather to settle in so that soil temperatures can heat up as well. Don't rush planting those transplants until the soil has warmed.

What is the fastest growing tomato plant?

One of our fastest-growing tomatoes, the hybrid Bush Early Girl Tomato is one of the earliest tomatoes harvesting in just 59 days! The space-saving plants are compact and reliably produce good early yields. Very popular with home gardeners because they're extra-early and dependable.

Why do homegrown tomatoes taste better than store bought?

Vine ripened tomatoes taste much better than tomatoes that have been picked green and then ripened. Most people that grow their own tomatoes allow them to ripen on the vine and therefore taste better than store bought. Most tomatoes in the supermarket are bred to have a lot of water.

What seasoning is good on tomatoes?

Basil is the number one herb for tomatoes, but other herbs compliment tomatoes as well: bay, chives, dill, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon and thyme.

What is the secret to growing tomatoes?

Adding it is a no-brainer! Spread a 2-3” layer of organic mulch around plants, leaving 2” of room around the stem so water can reach the roots. Protect plants from heat. Hot sun can cause sunscald, leaving tomatoes with pale, leathery patches on the fruits that pucker when they should be ripening.

What are the earliest tomatoes?

'Subarctic': Dubbed "the world's earliest tomato," 'Subarctic' produces a harvest of 4-ounce red, round fruits about 42 days after planting. The tangy little tomatoes are good in salads or sliced onto sandwiches. It was bred in Canada and is a good, disease-resistant variety.

What helps tomato plants grow faster?

Warm Up the Soil

Tomatoes grow best in warm soil; chilly soil will slow their growth. If your garden beds are covered with mulch, pull it back in early spring to expose the soil to the sun's warmth. Placing a sheet of clear plastic over the bed will also help.

What is the best month to plant tomatoes?

Tomatoes run on warmth; plant in late spring and early summer except in zone 10, where they are a fall and winter crop. For a head start on growing, plant starter plants instead of seeds.

What month should you plant tomato seeds?

In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 and 9, start seeds as early as mid-January; in USDA zones 3 or 4, wait to start seeds until mid- to late March and early April. Wait two weeks after the last frost date to plant seeds or set transplants outdoors.

At what temperature should I cover tomatoes?

The ideal nighttime temperatures range between 59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit with daytime temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees F. When temperatures fall above or below these ranges, problems with growth, flowering and fruit production occur.