How to Grow Early Splendor Tomato
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Early Splendor Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Splendor'
vegetableEarly Splendor is a determinate slicing tomato variety bred for early maturity and reliable production in cool climates. It produces medium-sized, bright red fruits with good flavor and disease resistance, typically maturing 60-65 days after transplanting. This variety is particularly valued by gardeners in short-season regions who want quality tomatoes before fall frost arrives.
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Example Early Splendor Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Early Splendor 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 Splendor Tomato
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Early Splendor Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with exceptional performance in cooler zones 3-6
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge within 5-10 days. True leaves develop shortly after. Plants are fragile and pale green.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights positioned 2-3 inches above seedlings. Maintain 70-75°F temperature. Thin to strongest seedlings if direct sown.
Transplant Hardening
3-4 weeksYoung plants develop sturdy true leaves and establish root systems. They reach 6-8 inches tall with multiple sets of true leaves.
Begin hardening off about 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions. Reduce watering slightly to encourage stronger roots. Maintain 65-70°F. Fertilize weekly with diluted balanced fertilizer.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksAfter transplanting outdoors, plants rapidly grow foliage and establish in the garden. Stems thicken and branching develops. No flowers yet.
Install stakes or cages early. Water deeply and consistently. Mulch around base with 2-3 inches of organic material to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Prune suckers if desired, though Early Splendor is determinate and requires minimal pruning.
Flowering and Fruit Set
2-3 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters. Flowers self-pollinate and small green fruits begin forming within days. Multiple flower clusters develop simultaneously.
Maintain consistent watering—irregular watering causes blossom end rot and cracking. Continue supporting with stakes. Avoid excess nitrogen which promotes foliage over fruit. Ensure adequate calcium in soil. Pollinate flowers by gently tapping stems in warm afternoons to increase set.
Fruit Development and Harvest
3-4 weeksGreen fruits enlarge and gradually mature to bright red color. Most fruits ripen simultaneously on determinate varieties. Plants may show some foliage decline as energy shifts to fruiting.
Continue consistent watering until fruits reach full color. Pick fruits at first blush of pink or full red depending on desired ripeness. Allow first fruit to set fully for earliest harvest. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. In very hot climates, provide afternoon shade to prevent sunscald.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if populations are heavy
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Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, release ladybugs, neem oil in evening hours
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Increase humidity through overhead misting, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage predatory mites
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, encourage natural predators
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Remove infected lower leaves, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply copper fungicide preventatively, avoid overhead watering
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Remove affected leaves, ensure good air circulation, mulch soil, apply copper or sulfur fungicides, stake for air flow
Uses
Fresh slicing and salads
CulinaryEarly Splendor produces medium-sized, well-flavored fruits ideal for fresh eating, slicing for sandwiches, and adding to salads. The early maturity makes it perfect for enjoying homegrown tomatoes in short-season regions. [source]
Sauce and preservation
CulinaryThe concentrated flavor and simultaneous ripening of determinate varieties make Early Splendor suitable for making fresh sauce, salsa, and tomato products in a single harvest window. [source]
Antioxidant-rich food
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with heart health and cancer prevention. Red tomatoes contain higher lycopene levels than immature green varieties. [source]
Soil amendment and compost
HouseholdTomato foliage and spent plants make excellent additions to compost, breaking down quickly and contributing nitrogen-rich material for future gardens. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, making the plant valuable for supporting local pollinator populations and ensuring good fruit set. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Early Splendor fruits mature in clusters and typically ripen together. Begin harvesting when fruits show first blush of pink color for best flavor; they will continue ripening off the vine at room temperature. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. In cool climates, harvest all remaining fruits before first hard frost (28°F or below), as green tomatoes will not mature after frost exposure. Fruits harvested at breaker stage (first hint of color) will ripen indoors within 1-2 weeks when stored at 68-72°F. For longest shelf life, store at 55-70°F—do not refrigerate if ripening.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Early Splendor was specifically developed for short-season growing regions and cold climates, making it one of the earliest maturing slicing tomato varieties available—some gardeners in Alaska and northern Canada successfully grow this variety.
- 🌱 Determinate tomatoes like Early Splendor grow as compact bushes and fruit all at once, making them ideal for canning and sauce-making, whereas indeterminate varieties produce continuously throughout the season.
- 🌱 Burying tomato transplants deeper than they were growing in their pots causes adventitious roots to form along the buried stem, creating a stronger, more drought-tolerant root system—this technique works especially well with Early Splendor seedlings.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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