Early Girl Tomatoes

Early Girl tomatoes are ever popular with home gardeners because of its early fruit development.

This indeterminate variety grows tall and generally requires supports such as stakes. Harvest can be expected in as few as 50 days after planting. The short time frame appeals to growers in climates that have shorter growing seasons. Early Girl tomatoes plants are known to be reliable and highly productive, which are two very good reasons behind their popularity.

Its ripe fruit is about the size and shape of a standard tomato, weighing 4 to 8 ounces. The tomato is brightly colored and possesses an excellent flavor. There are Early Girl hybrids available that are resistant to wilts. The variety is based on a short-season hybrid tomato that was first developed in France.

Tomato varieties are classified as determinate or indeterminate. Determinate plants will stop growing at a specific height, making them ideal for container gardening. The vines of indeterminate varieties continue growing until they are destroyed by frost, which makes staking necessary. Most heirloom tomatoes are indeterminate types.

Determinate varieties produce a single crop all at once, which makes them excellent for canning. There are semi-determinate varieties as well, which will stop at a certain size, but produce a second crop. If you decide to plant different varieties, try staggering the growing seasons. Early Girl tomatoes will satisfy your first, longed-for craving of summer after a long winter and continually produce all season.

Because tomatoes are members of the deadly nightshade family, it was believed in ages past that they were poisonous. Now they are the number one grown garden plant. When companion planting, it is a good idea to plant borage near Early Girl because the beetles will head straight for the borage and leave the tomato plants alone.

Early Girl Tomatoes Tips

* For container planting, use containers 8 to 10 inches wide and at least 8 inches deep.

* These tomatoes adore full sun, despise frost, and won't perform well at all in cool weather. Don't set your plants outdoors until you are sure old man winter has made his last appearance for the season.

* Most garden centers sell this variety or Early Girl tomatoes can be started from seed.

* In cold climates, protect the garden beauties from unexpected frosts with protective covers.

* Plant transplants 3 feet apart in enriched soil. Peat moss or compost is recommended as organic soil amendments. Prior to planting, mix in a fertilizer formulated especially for tomatoes or a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

* In cooler regions, use black plastic mulch to heat the soil.

* Deep planting is ideal for Early Girl. Remove lower leaves first. Set the plants in up to the top two sets of leaves. New roots will develop on the buried stem, producing a strong root system.

* Water regularly for the first several weeks. After roots are established, cut down on watering as often but water more deeply.

* As Early Girl tomatoes grow, the plants will need support. The easiest way is to provide them with a wire cage or you can build it yourself. To build the cages, cut an 80" length of 6" mesh concrete-reinforcing wire and bend it into a cylinder shape.

* Staking or caging your plants keeps them from touching the damp earth, which can cause rot. While the fruits are maturing, apply manure tea and side dress with compost once a week.

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