Celebrity Tomato in Zone 6A — Southeast

Celebrity tomatoes are a solid choice for Southeast gardeners. They're known for their reliable yields of good-sized, tasty fruit, perfect for slicing, sandwiches, or sauces. Plus, their excellent disease resistance makes them a dependable option even with our hot and humid summers. There's real satisfaction in harvesting armfuls of tomatoes from your own backyard.

We all know gardening in the Southeast comes with its share of challenges. Between the humidity that encourages fungal diseases, the occasional Japanese beetle invasion, and the deer that wander through, it can feel like a battle at times. But with a long growing season averaging around 198 days and careful timing, you can absolutely grow a bumper crop of Celebrity tomatoes.

Starting your Celebrity tomato seeds indoors gives them a head start on our long summer. Aim to sow your seeds early to late March, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. This timing takes advantage of our moderate spring weather without risking a late frost.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and provide warmth – a heat mat underneath the trays can be helpful. Bottom watering is a great way to avoid damping off. Once the seedlings emerge, they'll need plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light.

Transplanting your Celebrity tomato seedlings outdoors should happen late April through late May, after the last expected frost. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade, increasing the time and sun exposure each day.

Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and space the plants 24-36 inches apart. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to cover the young plants if a late cold snap threatens. Our springs can be unpredictable, so it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Celebrity tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially in our hot and humid Southeast summers. Aim to provide about 1-2 inches of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation. The key is to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Stick your finger into the soil about 2 inches deep to check the moisture level. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot, while underwatering can cause blossom end rot.

Mulching around the base of the plants with straw or pine straw can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Our reliable summer rainfall is a blessing, but you'll still need to monitor soil moisture and supplement as needed, especially during dry spells.

Celebrity tomatoes are determinate, meaning they grow to a certain size and then stop, setting all their fruit at once. However, they can still get quite bushy and benefit from support. Because they are semi-determinate, they aren't as tall as indeterminate varieties, so medium-height cages work well.

Install the cages or stakes at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plants grow, gently guide the stems into the cage or tie them to the stakes with soft twine. This will help keep the fruit off the ground, improve air circulation, and prevent the plants from toppling over in our afternoon thunderstorms.

You can expect your first Celebrity tomato harvest early July through late August, about 70 days after transplanting. The fruits are ready to pick when they're a deep red color, firm to the touch, and have a slight give when gently squeezed.

To harvest, gently twist or cut the tomato from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the end of the season approaches and the first frost threatens in late October, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen.

Place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana to speed up the ripening process. Even green tomatoes can develop good flavor indoors. Enjoy the fruits of your labor right up until the weather turns cold.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Celebrity tomatoes in the Southeast:

Blossom Drop

• What it looks like: Flowers fall off without setting fruit. Small fruit yellows and drops. The plant looks healthy but produces no fruit.
• What causes it: Temperature stress is a big culprit. Tomatoes don't set fruit well when nights stay above 75°F or days exceed 95°F. Low humidity, excess nitrogen, or poor pollination can also contribute.
• How to fix/prevent it: Be patient – fruit set usually resumes when temperatures moderate. Provide afternoon shade during extreme heat. Keep plants consistently watered. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Gently shake the plants to aid pollination.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves are stripped overnight. You might find large (up to 4 inches) green caterpillars with white diagonal stripes. Look for dark droppings on the leaves below.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths. The moths lay their eggs on tomato family plants, and the caterpillars are voracious eaters, capable of defoliating plants quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpicking is effective (they don't bite!). Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is a good organic option. If you see hornworms with white cocoons on them, leave them alone – those are parasitic wasp eggs that will kill the hornworm and release beneficial wasps.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (a target or bullseye pattern) appear on lower leaves first, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop off.
• What causes it: This is a fungal disease (Alternaria solani) that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It spreads through soil splash onto the lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves immediately (don't compost them). Mulch around the plants to prevent soil splash. Water at the base of the plants, not overhead. Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly and pruning if needed. Copper fungicide can help slow the spread. Rotate your crops yearly.

Southeast Specific Challenges: The hot and humid summers in the Southeast create ideal conditions for fungal diseases like early blight. The humidity also exacerbates blossom drop during heat waves. And while we appreciate our wet-summer rainfall, it can also contribute to soil splash and disease spread. Regular monitoring, proper watering techniques, and good air circulation are essential for success with Celebrity tomatoes here.

Companion planting can give your Celebrity tomatoes a boost in the Southeast. Basil is a great choice because it repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies, plus it improves the flavor of the tomatoes. Carrots can help loosen the soil around the tomato plants, improving drainage, which is especially helpful with our clay soil. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can attract tomato pests like the corn earworm, which can also damage tomatoes.