How to Grow Early Girl Tomato
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Early Girl Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl'
vegetableEarly Girl is a determinate tomato variety prized for its exceptionally early maturity and reliable production of medium-sized, bright red fruits. It typically produces 4-6 oz fruits on compact plants, making it ideal for short-season gardeners and container growing. Known for consistent yields and disease resistance, Early Girl has been a gardening favorite since its introduction in 1962.
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Example Early Girl Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Early Girl 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 Early Girl Tomato
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Early Girl Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; can be grown anywhere as an annual
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2 cotyledons (seed leaves) and emerging true leaves; very delicate
Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily under grow lights), maintain 70-75°F soil temperature, keep soil moist but not waterlogged, thin weak seedlings
Vegetative/Transplant
3-4 weeks from seedStocky 6-8 inch plants with 4-6 true leaves, developing root system, ready for outdoor planting
Harden off gradually over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors, plant deeply burying stem, stake or cage early for support, remove lower leaves after planting
Flowering
2-3 weeksPlants producing first yellow flower clusters while continuing vegetative growth; typically 2-3 weeks after transplanting
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot, provide balanced fertilizer, keep temperatures 65-85°F for good fruit set, gently shake flowers to aid pollination
Fruit Development
2-3 weeksSmall green fruits forming and enlarging; plant reaches mature height (~3-4 feet for determinate variety)
Reduce nitrogen to encourage fruiting over foliage, maintain steady water supply, prune suckers on indeterminate growth, support branches with heavy fruit clusters
Ripening & Harvest
1-2 weeks per flush; 6-8 weeks total harvest windowFruits turning from green to mature red color; peak sugar and flavor development
Continue consistent watering, harvest at first blush of red or fully ripe depending on preference, pick regularly to encourage continued production, can harvest green fruit before frost
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, inspect plants daily
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, use yellow sticky traps, remove heavily infested leaves, improve air circulation
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Spray with water to dislodge, use neem oil or miticide, increase humidity, remove infected leaves
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Spray with strong water stream, apply insecticidal soap, use reflective mulch, encourage beneficial insects
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Remove lower leaves, improve air circulation, water at soil level only, apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide, mulch to prevent soil splash
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Remove affected leaves, maintain spacing for air flow, avoid overhead watering, apply fungicide preventatively in humid conditions
Uses
Fresh slicing and salads
CulinaryEarly Girl's bright red color, balanced sweet-tart flavor, and medium size make it ideal for fresh eating, slicing for sandwiches, and adding to salads. The firm texture holds up well in fresh preparations. [source]
Sauce and preserves
CulinaryWith good sugar content and natural acidity (pH ~4.2-4.6), Early Girl fruits can be cooked down into tomato sauce, salsa, or canned for preservation. The determinate habit means many fruits ripen simultaneously, ideal for batch processing. [source]
Container gardening
HouseholdAs a determinate variety reaching only 3-4 feet, Early Girl thrives in large containers (5-gallon minimum), hanging baskets, and patio gardens, making it perfect for space-limited growing. [source]
Nutritional and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart and prostate health, along with vitamins C, K, and potassium. Fresh Early Girl tomatoes provide maximum nutrient content when eaten ripe. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract native bees and pollinators that provide essential pollination services. Supporting flowering plants nearby strengthens the ecosystem around your garden. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick fruits when they first blush red or at full ripe depending on preference; harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering and production. Fruits can be picked at the 'breaker stage' (just starting to turn color) and ripened indoors. Before first frost, harvest remaining green fruits and ripen on a windowsill or in a brown paper bag with a ripe banana. Early Girl typically produces 4-6 lbs of fruit per plant over the season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Early Girl was introduced by Burpee Seeds in 1962 and revolutionized home gardening by bringing fresh tomatoes to northern gardeners with short seasons—it can produce ripe fruit in as few as 50 days.
- 🌱 It's a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a fixed height and produces most fruit in a concentrated flush, making it ideal for canning and preserving all at once.
- 🌱 Early Girl was the first widely-available early tomato variety to combine high yield with disease resistance, and it remains one of the most reliable and popular heirloom-era varieties for home gardeners worldwide.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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