Bite-Size, Big Taste
Some of the best-tasting tomatoes you'll ever eat are bite-size cherry tomatoes. Despite their small size, they're packed with flavor � making them perfect for snacks and salads. Growing your own cherry tomatoes is easy. They are ideal for container gardening, especially if you choose compact varieties such as "Tiny Tim" or "Patio."
What You'll Need:
- Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix
- Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food
- Trowel
- 12-inch pot or larger
- Watering can
Project Steps
Start with Healthy Plants
When you shop for cherry tomato plants, look for stocky transplants with 4-6 true leaves. Avoid plants that already have blooms or fruit. Most cherry tomato varieties will produce quite a bit of fruit, so a couple of well-tended plants can provide a good supply for an average family.
Provide a Good Growing Environment
Tomatoes need a lot of room for their roots to grow, so start with a 12-inch or larger pot with drain holes. Fill the pot with a good-quality potting mix, such as Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix. Place one tomato plant in the soil in the middle of the pot. It may look a bit lonely there at first, but it really will need the space when it gets growing.
Water and Feed Your Cherry Tomatoes Regularly
Place your potted tomatoes in a sunny spot. Tomatoes love water, so water them deeply after planting and daily as they grow. Feed your plants every 7-14 days with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food. When they get big enough to start falling over, you can stake the plants to keep them upright.
Pick Your Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are ready to pick when they are a glossy red color. They should be firm and smooth-skinned, without blotches. Partially green or pink tomatoes will ripen after picking if you keep them at room temperature.
Don't Start Too Early
The steps for planting cherry tomato varieties in-ground are the same as for full-size tomatoes. Whether you plant yours in the garden or in pots, keep in mind that tomato plants are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures. To be safe, wait about a week after the last frost date in your area.