Celebrity Tomato in Zone 6B — Great Plains

Celebrity Tomato is a workhorse for Plains gardeners. Its reliable yields, great flavor, and disease resistance make it a satisfying choice, even with our variable weather. Whether you're canning, slicing for sandwiches, or just snacking in the garden, Celebrity delivers.

Our extreme temperature swings, variable rainfall, and occasional hail can be tough on tomatoes. But Celebrity's relatively short 70-day maturity and excellent disease resistance work well within our 198-day growing season, making it a manageable and rewarding crop.

Start your Celebrity Tomato seeds indoors from early to late March, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. Use seed trays or small pots with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them warm (around 70-75°F) using a heat mat.

Once the seedlings emerge, they'll need plenty of light. A grow light is ideal, especially with our unpredictable spring weather; a sunny windowsill might not cut it. Water from the bottom to encourage strong root growth and prevent damping-off. This is especially useful given our variable Plains springs which can go from dry to excessively wet in a matter of days.

Transplant your Celebrity Tomato seedlings outdoors from late April through late May, once the danger of frost has passed. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind we often experience.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Be mindful of late season cold snaps that can occur even in late April or May and cover your plants if freezing temperatures are predicted. Adding a bit of compost to the planting hole will give them a good start.

Celebrity Tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially in our hot Plains summers. They aren't drought-tolerant, so you'll have to keep an eye on them. Aim to water deeply about 1-2 times per week, providing about 1-2 inches of water each time, depending on rainfall.

Use the "finger test" to check the soil moisture: stick your finger about two inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our low-to-moderate humidity.

Underwatering can cause blossom end rot (dark, sunken spots on the bottom of the fruit), while overwatering can lead to root rot. Mulching around the plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. This is especially important in our region where temperatures can fluctuate wildly.

Celebrity Tomato is a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a certain size and then stops. However, it still needs support. Medium-height cages or sturdy stakes work well.

Install the support at planting time to avoid damaging the roots later. As the plant grows, gently guide the stems through the cage or tie them to the stake. This helps keep the fruit off the ground and prevents the plant from toppling over in our strong Plains winds.

You can expect your first Celebrity Tomatoes to ripen from early July through late August, about 70 days after transplanting. The fruits will be medium-large, red, and firm with a slight give when gently squeezed.

Harvest them carefully by twisting or cutting the stem just above the fruit. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the end of the season approaches (late October in the Plains), keep an eye on the forecast.

If frost threatens, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They won't taste quite as good as vine-ripened ones, but they're still delicious. Place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana to speed up the ripening process.

Here are three common problems you might encounter with Celebrity Tomatoes in the Great Plains:

Blossom Drop

• What it looks like: Flowers fall off without setting fruit. Small fruit yellows and drops. The plant looks healthy but produces no tomatoes.
• What causes it: Temperature stress is the main culprit. Our hot days (above 95°F) and warm nights (above 75°F) can prevent fruit set. Low humidity, excess nitrogen, or poor pollination can also contribute.
• How to fix/prevent it: Be patient – fruit set will usually resume when temperatures moderate. Provide afternoon shade during extreme heat. Keep plants well-watered but avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. You can also try hand-pollinating the flowers.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves 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. They lay their eggs on tomato plants, and the caterpillars can defoliate plants quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpicking is very effective (they don't bite!). Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is a good organic option. If you see hornworms with white cocoons on their backs, leave them alone – those are parasitic wasp eggs that will kill the hornworm and produce more beneficial wasps.

Early Blight

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

Great Plains Specific Challenges: Our hot summers, low-to-moderate humidity, and variable rainfall can create challenges for Celebrity Tomatoes. Be vigilant about watering during dry spells and providing afternoon shade during extreme heat. Mulching helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially important in our region.

Companion planting can help your Celebrity Tomatoes thrive. Basil is a great companion because it repels pests like tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Carrots loosen the soil and improve drainage, while parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds also repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower) near tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, so it's best to keep it away from your tomatoes. Corn can also compete for resources, so plant it elsewhere in your garden.