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How to Grow Freefall

Freefall

Solanum lycopersicum 'Freefall'

vegetable

Freefall is a determinate cherry tomato variety bred for container growing and hanging baskets. It produces abundant small, sweet red fruits on compact, cascading plants that naturally trail downward, making it ideal for vertical gardening and decorative displays.

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Example Freefall timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Freefall

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Freefall

    Around Jun 21

    ≈ 65 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred)
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply at the base 1-2 inches per week, more frequently in containers. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature.
📏
Spacing: 12-18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 65-75 days from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seeds; transplants buried 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 coconut coir perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-10 with appropriate timing and protection

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and first true leaves emerging

Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Maintain temperatures 65-75°F.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Compact bushy plant developing lateral branches with characteristic cascading habit; no flowers yet

Ensure adequate light and air circulation. Begin fertilizing weekly with balanced fertilizer. No pruning needed for determinate type.

3

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters along stems and branches; plant may reach full mature size

Switch to lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage fruiting. Maintain consistent watering. Ensure pollination through air movement or gentle shaking.

4

Fruiting

3-4 weeks

Small cherry tomatoes develop and mature; fruits transition from green to red over time

Maintain steady watering schedule to prevent splitting. Continue fertilizing every 2-3 weeks. Monitor for pests and diseases as fruit develops.

5

Harvest

4-6 weeks or until frost

Ripe red cherry tomatoes ready for picking; plant continues to produce new flowers and fruits

Pick fruits when fully red for best flavor. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Continue watering and fertilizing.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

basil parsley marigold borage carrot onion nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

brassicas fennel walnut corn

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick daily, encourage parasitic wasps, use spinosad if infestation is severe

  • Spray with insecticidal soap, reflective mulch, yellow sticky traps, neem oil

  • Increase humidity, spray with water, neem oil, predatory mites

  • Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, introduce ladybugs

  • Remove affected plants, ensure good air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, use resistant varieties

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and snacking

Culinary

Freefall cherry tomatoes are sweet, bite-sized fruits perfect for fresh snacking, salads, and fresh salsas. Their small size and abundant production make them ideal for continuous grazing directly from the plant. [source]

🏠

Container and hanging basket gardening

Household

The cascading growth habit makes Freefall perfect for hanging baskets, containers, window boxes, and decorative displays. It combines edible production with ornamental appeal for patios and small spaces. [source]

🍳

Preserving and cooking

Culinary

Cherry tomatoes can be halved for roasting, made into cherry tomato jam, or preserved whole through pickling. Their high sugar content concentrates when roasted. [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The abundant flowers of Freefall attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity while ensuring good fruit set. [source]

Harvest Tips

Pick cherry tomatoes when fully red and slightly soft to the touch, typically 60-75 days after transplanting. Harvest regularly to encourage continued fruiting. Fruits can be picked at the pink stage and ripened indoors if needed.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Freefall was specifically bred for hanging baskets and containers, making it one of the few tomato varieties bred from the ground up for decorative trailing growth rather than traditional upright farming.
  • 🌱 Cherry tomatoes are technically berries botanically, containing multiple seeds surrounded by pulpy flesh, and can be nearly 95% water content.
  • 🌱 The cascading habit of Freefall means fruits dangle below the foliage, making them easier to spot and harvest while providing beautiful visual interest—essentially a 'living edible chandelier.'

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Mulch pH Pollination Transplant True Leaves
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