The Early Girl Tomato: A Gardener’s Favorite for 5 Quick Harvest Tips

Introduction

Did you know that Early Girl tomatoes can produce fruit in just 50-62 days, making them up to 30% faster than most other tomato varieties? This astonishing growth rate has made the Early Girl tomato a gardener’s favorite for quick and tasty harvests across North America. Whether you’re an impatient gardener looking for rapid results or someone with a shorter growing season, Early Girl tomatoes offer an impressive combination of speed, reliability, and flavor that few other varieties can match. Let’s explore how to maximize your Early Girl tomato harvest with proven techniques that enhance both yield and taste.

What Makes Early Girl Tomatoes Special?

Early Girl tomatoes are indeterminate, medium-sized fruits that typically weigh 4-6 ounces and feature a bright red color with a balanced sweet-acidic flavor profile. Developed in the 1970s by PetoSeed (now part of Seminis), these tomatoes have become a staple in home gardens for several compelling reasons:

Quick maturation: Produces harvestable fruit in just 50-62 days after transplanting
Disease resistance: Naturally resistant to Verticillium and Fusarium wilt
Adaptability: Thrives in various climate conditions, including cooler environments
Extended harvest: Continues producing throughout the growing season
Versatility: Perfect for fresh eating, canning, sauces, and salads

The Early Girl’s remarkable resilience and productivity make it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking reliable results with minimal waiting time.

Timing Your Early Girl Tomato Garden

Planting Schedule

For optimal Early Girl tomato harvests, timing is everything:

Starting seeds indoors: Begin 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date
Transplanting outdoors: When soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (typically 2 weeks after the last frost)
Total time to first harvest: Approximately 50-62 days from transplant
Peak harvesting period: Typically lasts 2-3 months, which is 25% longer than determinate varieties

This accelerated timeline allows northern gardeners to enjoy multiple harvests before the first fall frost and gives southern gardeners the opportunity for successive plantings within a single season.

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Perfect Early Girl Tomatoes

Step 1: Select the Ideal Location

Choose a spot that receives 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Early Girls can tolerate partial shade better than many varieties, but maximum sun exposure results in sweeter fruit and faster development. A south-facing location with protection from strong winds creates the ideal microclimate for rapid growth.

Step 2: Prepare Nutrient-Rich Soil

Early Girl tomatoes thrive in well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.8) enriched with organic matter:

Dig compost or aged manure into your garden bed (approximately 2-3 inches)
Add a balanced organic fertilizer (like 5-5-5) according to package directions
Consider incorporating 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per planting hole to provide magnesium

Research from the University of California shows that proper soil preparation can increase Early Girl yields by up to 25%.

Step 3: Plant with Proper Spacing and Depth

Plant Early Girl seedlings deeper than they were in their containers:

Dig holes 24-36 inches apart
Remove lower leaves and bury the stem up to the top set of leaves
The buried portion will develop additional roots, strengthening the plant

This deep-planting technique creates a more robust root system that improves drought resistance and nutrient uptake – critical factors for the Early Girl’s rapid fruit production.

Step 4: Implement Effective Support Systems

As indeterminate growers, Early Girls can reach 5-8 feet tall and require proper support:

Install cages (at least 5 feet tall) or stakes at planting time
For stake systems, use soft garden twine to secure the main stem every 12 inches
Prune suckers (side shoots) below the first flower cluster to direct energy to fruit production

Studies show that properly supported plants can produce up to 40% more marketable fruits compared to unsupported plants.

Step 5: Master the Watering Technique

Consistent moisture is crucial for preventing cracking and blossom end rot:

Provide 1-2 inches of water weekly (approximately 1 gallon per plant)
Water deeply at the base rather than overhead to prevent disease
Consider drip irrigation or soaker hoses for efficiency
Mulch with 2-3 inches of organic material to retain soil moisture

Nutritional Information

Early Girl tomatoes are not just quick-growing but also nutritional powerhouses:

Calories: Approximately 22 per medium tomato
Vitamin C: 40% of daily value
Vitamin A: 20% of daily value
Lycopene: 3-4 mg per tomato (a powerful antioxidant)
Potassium: 292 mg per medium tomato

Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicates that early-maturing varieties like Early Girl often contain higher concentrations of certain antioxidants compared to later-maturing varieties.

Healthier Growing Alternatives

Enhance your Early Girl tomato growing experience with these health-conscious approaches:

Organic fertilizers: Use fish emulsion or compost tea instead of synthetic fertilizers
Companion planting: Grow alongside basil or marigolds to deter pests naturally
Neem oil applications: Substitute for chemical pesticides to control common insects
Sustainable mulching: Use grass clippings or straw instead of plastic mulch

These sustainable choices not only produce healthier fruit but also support beneficial soil microorganisms that contribute to your garden’s long-term productivity.

Harvesting Suggestions

For maximum flavor and nutrition from your Early Girl tomatoes:

Pick at peak ripeness: Harvest when fruits are fully red but still firm
Morning harvesting: Collect tomatoes in early morning when flavors are most concentrated
Gentle handling: Use your palm to support the fruit while twisting gently from the stem
Staged picking: Harvest every 1-2 days during peak season to encourage continued production

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Prevent these typical Early Girl growing errors:

Inconsistent watering: Causes fruit splitting and blossom end rot
Overhead irrigation: Increases susceptibility to fungal diseases by 35%
Overcrowding: Reduces airflow and increases disease pressure
Over-fertilizing: Promotes lush foliage at the expense of fruit production
Delayed harvesting: Allows pests like hornworms to locate and damage ripening fruit

Storing Tips for Early Girl Tomatoes

Maximize the shelf life and flavor of your harvest:

Counter storage: Store unwashed tomatoes stem-side down at room temperature for 4-7 days
Refrigeration: Only refrigerate fully ripe tomatoes you won’t use within 2-3 days
Preserving methods: Can, freeze, or dehydrate excess harvest for year-round enjoyment
Green tomatoes: Ripen indoors by wrapping in newspaper or placing in a paper bag with a ripe banana

Conclusion

The Early Girl tomato truly earns its place as a gardener’s favorite for quick and tasty harvests through its remarkable combination of speed, resilience, and flavor. By implementing these five key strategies—proper timing, ideal location selection, deep planting, consistent watering, and adequate support—you’ll maximize both the quantity and quality of your Early Girl harvest. Whether you’re a novice gardener looking for guaranteed success or an experienced grower wanting to extend your season, Early Girl tomatoes deliver impressive results with minimal waiting.

Ready to experience the satisfaction of harvesting your own tomatoes weeks earlier than your neighbors? Start planning your Early Girl garden today and share your results with our community!

FAQs

Can Early Girl tomatoes grow well in containers?
Yes, Early Girls are excellent container plants. Use at least a 5-gallon pot with drainage holes, quality potting mix, and consistent watering for best results.

Do Early Girl tomatoes need to be pruned?
Light pruning of suckers below the first flower cluster helps direct energy to fruit production, but excessive pruning can reduce overall yield.

How do Early Girl tomatoes compare to cherry tomatoes for speed?
While some cherry tomatoes mature in a similar timeframe (50-60 days), Early Girls produce much larger fruits, offering better value for cooking and preserving.

Can I save seeds from my Early Girl tomatoes?
Early Girl is a hybrid variety, so saved seeds won’t produce plants identical to the parent. For consistent results, purchase new seeds each season.

Are Early Girl tomatoes determinate or indeterminate?
Early Girls are indeterminate, meaning they continue growing and producing throughout the season until killed by frost.