How to Grow Early Girl Tomato
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Early Girl Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl'
vegetableEarly Girl is a classic determinate tomato variety prized for its early maturity and reliable production of medium-sized, bright red fruits. This disease-resistant cultivar produces fruits in just 50-60 days from transplant, making it ideal for gardeners in cooler climates or those eager for early harvests. The compact, bushy plants are perfect for containers or small gardens.
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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; particularly valuable in cooler zones 3-5 for reliable early production
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Get my Early Girl Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny true leaves emerge after cotyledons; plants develop 2-4 true leaves and establish roots
Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily, maintain 70-75°F soil temperature, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, avoid damping-off with good air circulation
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks before transplanting to gardenStocky stems develop, multiple true leaves unfold, root system expands; transplants reach 6-8 inches tall
Harden off transplants 7-10 days before planting, plant deeply to encourage root development, provide sturdy support (cage or stakes), pinch lower suckers on indeterminate varieties if any
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters; plants set fruit as days warm and stabilize
Ensure consistent watering (critical during flowering to prevent blossom end rot), maintain temperatures 65-85°F for best fruit set, do not over-fertilize with nitrogen, maintain support structures
Fruiting & Maturation
4-5 weeks until first ripe fruitGreen fruits develop from flowers, gradually increase in size, change from light green to mature red over 20-30 days
Continue consistent watering, apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture, prune only dead/diseased foliage, monitor for early blight and septoria leaf spot, feed with low-nitrogen fertilizer every 2-3 weeks
Harvest
3-6 weeks of productionFruits reach full red color and slight softness when gently pressed; determinate types produce concentrated harvest window
Pick fully red or allow vine-ripened for best flavor; fruits picked at breaker stage (first blush of color) continue ripening off vine, harvest regularly to encourage continued production on remaining flowers
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick (look for dark droppings), encourage parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), spinosad as last resort
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Yellow sticky traps, neem oil spray, insecticidal soap, reflective mulch, encourage natural predators
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Strong water spray, neem oil, insecticidal soap, ladybugs, lacewings, reflective mulch
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Remove lower infected leaves, improve air circulation, avoid wetting foliage, mulch to prevent soil splash, fungicide (copper or chlorothalonil) if severe
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Remove affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, improve spacing for air flow, fungicide treatment, crop rotation
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Maintain consistent soil moisture, apply calcium (lime or gypsum), mulch heavily, avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryEarly Girl's balanced sweet-tart flavor and medium size (5-6 oz) make them ideal for slicing into salads, sandwiches, and fresh preparations. The early harvest means enjoying homegrown tomatoes months before late-season varieties mature. [source]
Sauces and preserves
CulinaryThe determinate growth pattern produces concentrated yields perfect for sauce-making and canning in a single harvest window. High acid content makes them suitable for safe home preservation. [source]
Cardiovascular and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, compounds linked to heart health and reduced inflammation. Fresh consumption maximizes nutrient bioavailability. [source]
Container gardening
HouseholdEarly Girl's determinate, compact growth makes it excellent for pots, hanging baskets, and small spaces. A single plant in a 5-gallon container produces abundant fruit. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and beneficial insects. Growing Early Girl alongside flowering herbs like basil and borage supports pollinator populations. [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 tomatoes when fully red or at breaker stage (first hint of color) for vine-ripened flavor. Early Girl produces a concentrated harvest typical of determinate types. Harvest every 2-3 days during peak season to encourage continued flowering and production. For storage, keep at room temperature away from direct sunlight—refrigeration reduces flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Early Girl was developed in 1962 and remains one of the most widely planted tomato varieties worldwide, prized for breaking the 60-day barrier from transplant to fruit.
- 🌱 Unlike many early determinates, Early Girl exhibits some disease resistance to Verticillium Wilt and Fusarium Wilt, making it more reliable than earlier varieties.
- 🌱 Early Girl tomatoes are technically berries—the fruit is a modified ovary with seeds, making them botanically identical to grapes and blueberries despite being culinarily treated as vegetables.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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