How to Grow Earliest of All Tomato
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Earliest of All Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Earliest of All'
vegetableEarliest of All is a determinate cherry tomato variety prized for its exceptional early maturity, producing small, sweet red fruits in just 50-60 days from transplanting. This cold-tolerant heirloom is ideal for gardeners in short-season climates or those eager for an early harvest. The compact plants yield abundant clusters of flavorful cherry tomatoes throughout the season.
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Example Earliest of All Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Earliest of All Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Earliest of All Tomato
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Earliest of All Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best in zones 3-9; thrives in cool-season climates and short growing regions
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants are delicate with thin stems.
Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Maintain 65-75°F. Thin to strongest seedlings.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks before transplantingStocky plants develop multiple sets of true leaves and a stronger root system. Stems thicken and lateral branches emerge.
Harden off plants outdoors 7-10 days before planting. Transplant into individual pots if needed. Pinch side shoots if growing indeterminate types (though Earliest of All is determinate). Start low-nitrogen fertilizing.
Flowering
3-4 weeks, overlapping with fruit setFirst flower clusters appear within weeks of transplanting. Delicate yellow flowers appear in small bouquets at leaf axils.
Maintain consistent watering and moderate nitrogen. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which promotes foliage over flowers. Ensure good air circulation. Tomatoes may set flowers earlier due to cold stress (which this variety tolerates).
Fruiting & Maturation
4-6 weeks from first red fruit to full harvestSmall green cherry tomatoes form and gradually swell. Color transitions from green to red over 3-4 weeks. Multiple clusters ripen in succession.
Support heavy fruit clusters with stakes or string. Water consistently to prevent cracking. Stop pinching; focus on maintaining plant health. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks if needed. Watch for pest damage as fruits ripen.
Peak Production & Harvest
4-8+ weeks until frostPlants produce abundant ripe cherry tomatoes in continuous waves. Fruits reach full sweetness and color, ready for picking.
Harvest ripe fruits promptly to encourage continued production. Maintain consistent watering. Remove diseased foliage promptly. Reduce nitrogen feeding to extend harvest. Monitor for late-season pests.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for heavy infestations
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; use reflective mulch; vacuum with handheld device
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Increase humidity; spray with water jets; use miticide spray or neem oil in severe cases
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Remove infected foliage; ensure good air circulation; mulch soil to prevent spore splash; apply copper fungicide preventatively
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Remove lower leaves as plants grow; mulch; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide weekly starting mid-season
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Choose resistant varieties; crop rotate (don't plant tomatoes in same spot for 3+ years); remove infected plants immediately
Uses
Fresh Eating & Salads
CulinarySweet cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking directly off the vine, adding to salads, or halving for appetizers. Their early ripening makes them prized for early-season fresh eating and summer entertaining. [source]
Preserving & Roasting
CulinaryThe small, sweet fruits are ideal for roasting whole, making tomato paste, or sun-drying. Their concentrated flavor works well in cooked dishes and preserves. [source]
Container & Patio Growing
CulinaryAs a determinate, compact variety, Earliest of All thrives in containers on patios, balconies, and small spaces, bringing fresh tomatoes to urban and space-limited gardens. [source]
Cold-Climate & Short-Season Gardening
HouseholdThis variety's exceptional cold tolerance and rapid maturity make it invaluable for gardeners in zones 3-4 with frost dates in late May/early June. It enables earlier harvests before season's end. [source]
Pollinator Support & Garden Ecology
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity. The abundant flowers provide nectar and pollen resources throughout the season. [source]
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when fruits are fully red and slightly soft to the touch, typically 50-60 days after transplanting. Twist gently or use pruners to avoid damaging stems. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Pick before hard frost; green tomatoes can ripen indoors in a cool location (60-70°F). For best flavor, harvest fully ripe fruits and use within a few days.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Earliest of All is an heirloom variety dating back to the early 1900s, prized by cold-climate gardeners for over a century for its remarkable ability to set fruit even in cool temperatures.
- 🌱 The variety's early maturity is partly due to its determinacy (all fruits ripen within a concentrated window) and natural cold tolerance—traits passed down through decades of selection by northern gardeners.
- 🌱 Contrary to the myth that heirlooms are always large, Earliest of All produces prolific clusters of tiny, intensely sweet cherry tomatoes that often taste more complex and flavorful than larger supermarket varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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