fruit vegetable

Early Girl Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl'

The Story

Plant Bio

Early Girl is a popular tomato cultivar known for its early ripening and high yield of small to medium-sized fruits.

This cultivar is prized for its early harvest, typically yielding fruit about 50-60 days after planting.

Uses & Benefits:

Ornamental UsesBright red fruits add visual appeal to gardens and containers.
Practical UsesFresh tomatoes provide nutritious ingredients for meals.
Ecological BenefitsSupports pollinators like bees when flowering.
SpeciesSolanum lycopersicumTomato

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Fruit Vegetable

Height

72 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Annual

Native To

South America

Toxicity

Leaves and unripe fruit are toxic

Bloom period

Late spring – Early summer

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In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

  1. Tuck seeds ¼ inch deep into moist soil in early spring.
  2. Keep soil consistently moist and warm at 70-85°F (21-29°C).
  3. Transplant seedlings outdoors after last frost date when soil warms.
  4. Support plants with cages or stakes to promote airflow.
  5. Water regularly, ensuring soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged.
  6. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced tomato fertilizer.

Pro Tip

Use black plastic mulch to warm soil and suppress weeds for faster growth.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

  • Water deeply at the base of the plant to prevent fungal diseases 🌱
  • Prune suckers to improve airflow and fruit production
  • Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
  • Use organic compost to enrich soil

Don't

  • Don't water from above to avoid foliar diseases ❌
  • Avoid over-fertilizing which can lead to lush foliage but fewer fruits
  • Don't plant too close to prevent disease spread
  • Never ignore signs of pests or diseases

Seasonal Care Calendar

TaskJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Fertilize
Harvest
Plant
Prune
Stake

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Vivid vegetable borderEdible flower gardenColorful container planting

Companion Plants

Basil Marigold Garlic Chives Carrots

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Early Girl Tomato questions

What zones can Early Girl Tomato grow in?

Early Girl Tomato is hardy in USDA Zone 10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Early Girl Tomato deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Early Girl Tomato, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Early Girl Tomato bloom?

Early Girl Tomato typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Early Girl Tomato need full sun?

Early Girl Tomato does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Keep exploring

Explore the genus

Hardy in your zone?

Grow Early Girl Tomato with confidence

See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.