← Plant Guides

How to Grow Earligold Tomato

Wikimedia Commons

Earligold Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Earligold'

vegetable

Earligold is a determinate cherry tomato variety prized for its early maturity and abundant production of small, golden-yellow fruits. It produces compact plants that bear sweet, flavorful tomatoes approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter. This variety is excellent for short-season growing regions and container gardening.

When should you plant Earligold Tomato in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Earligold Tomato timeline →

Example Earligold Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Earligold Tomato

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Earligold Tomato

    Around Jun 6

    ≈ 50 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Earligold Tomato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours preferred for maximum fruit production)
💧
Water: Consistent moisture is critical; water deeply 1-2 inches per week, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base to minimize disease. More frequent watering needed in hot climates and containers.
📏
Spacing: 24 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 50-65 days
🌱
Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplants should be set slightly deeper than they were growing (up to first true leaves)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost aged manure peat moss or coco coir balanced fertilizer (5-10-5) calcium (crushed eggshells or gypsum to prevent blossom-end rot)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Performs well in zones 3-10, particularly excellent for short-season zones 3-6

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

Sign up free to see if Earligold Tomato grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Earligold Tomato timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

True leaves emerge after cotyledons; plant develops 2-3 sets of true leaves and grows 2-4 inches tall

Maintain consistent moisture and 65-75°F temperature. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily. Thin seedlings to prevent damping-off disease.

2

Vegetative Growth

2-4 weeks

Compact plant establishes main stem and lateral branches; 6-12 inches tall with robust foliage; no flowers yet

Harden off transplants gradually before planting. Plant outdoors after last frost. Apply mulch around base to retain moisture. Begin weekly fertilization after plants establish.

3

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Yellow star-shaped flowers appear in clusters along stem joints; plant continues growing but remains relatively compact (determinate growth)

Maintain consistent watering and soil moisture to prevent flower drop. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization which promotes foliage over fruit. May stake or cage plant lightly for support.

4

Fruiting

3-4 weeks

Small green fruits develop rapidly from flowers; fruits enlarge and begin color change from green to yellow; heavy fruit set is typical

Increase potassium and phosphorus with balanced or fruiting fertilizer every 10-14 days. Maintain consistent watering to prevent fruit cracking and blossom-end rot. Prune lower foliage once fruit sets to improve air circulation.

5

Harvest

2-4 weeks continuous harvest

Fruits achieve full golden-yellow color with slight softness to touch; peak sweetness is reached at full ripe stage; determinate growth means concentrated harvest period

Pick fruits at full color for best flavor. Can harvest fully red tomatoes and ripen indoors if needed. Expect heavy production over 2-3 week window due to determinate nature. Continue watering and feeding to maintain production.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Marigold Nasturtium Parsley Carrot Onion Garlic Borage Mint

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Kohlrabi Potato Dill Other nightshade family plants in close proximity

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick larvae; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); plant dill and basil as trap crops; introduce parasitic wasps

  • Use reflective mulch; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce yellow sticky traps; spray water to dislodge

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; apply neem oil or sulfur; use miticide if severe

  • Remove affected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide; avoid overhead watering

  • Remove infected foliage promptly; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; avoid overhead watering; ensure good air circulation

  • Maintain consistent soil moisture; add calcium amendment (eggshells, gypsum); avoid high nitrogen fertilizer

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and salads

Culinary

Sweet golden cherry tomatoes are perfect eaten fresh off the vine, tossed into salads, halved for appetizers, or roasted whole. Their small size and concentrated sweetness make them ideal for snacking and entertaining. [source]

🍳

Preserves and cooking

Culinary

Earligold tomatoes can be roasted, dried, preserved as jam, made into sauce, or frozen whole for later use in soups and stews. [source]

💊

Lycopene antioxidant content

Medicinal

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful carotenoid antioxidant with potential cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits. Golden tomatoes offer comparable nutrient profiles to red varieties. [source]

🏠

Container and small-space gardening

Household

Earligold's compact, determinate growth and high productivity make it ideal for container growing on patios, balconies, and in raised beds where space is limited. [source]

🦋

Pollinator support

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators; flowering basil and borage companion plants enhance the pollinator garden while supporting the tomato crop. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Earligold is a determinate variety, meaning it sets most fruit at once for concentrated harvest over 2-3 weeks rather than continuous production. Pick fruits when fully golden-yellow for peak sweetness; they can also be harvested at the 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) and ripened indoors. Gently twist and pull to avoid damaging the plant. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Fruits are small and sweet, perfect for fresh eating, cherry tomato salads, and garnishes.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Earligold was developed in the 1970s specifically for short growing seasons and is one of the earliest yellow cherry tomato varieties available, making it invaluable for gardeners in cool climates.
  • 🌱 Golden and yellow tomatoes contain lycopene alongside lutein and beta-carotene, giving them their distinctive color and a different flavor profile—often described as slightly tangy or tropical—compared to red tomatoes.
  • 🌱 The plant's determinate growth habit makes it ideal for succession planting; many gardeners plant Earligold every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests from mid-summer through fall.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch pH Transplant True Leaves
Shop Earligold Tomato plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Earligold Tomato planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Earligold Tomato seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Earligold Tomato timeline →