Celebrity Tomato in Zone 7A — Northern California

Celebrity Tomato is a fantastic choice for Northern California gardens. Its reliable yields of flavorful, medium-large tomatoes make it perfect for slicing, salads, and sauces. Plus, its disease resistance means more tomatoes for you, and less fuss in the garden.

While we face dry summers and potential water restrictions here in NorCal, Celebrity Tomato's relatively short maturity time fits nicely within our long 235-day growing season. Starting seeds indoors gives you a head start, ensuring a bountiful harvest even with our climate challenges.

To get a jump on the season, start your Celebrity Tomato seeds indoors from mid-February through early March. This gives them about six weeks to develop before transplanting outdoors. 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 can be helpful. Bottom watering is a great way to prevent damping off; just set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil absorb it from below. Place the seedlings under grow lights or in a bright, south-facing window. With our early springs in Northern California, getting them started indoors is key.

Transplant your Celebrity Tomato seedlings outdoors from early April through early May, after the last chance of frost has passed. Before planting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sunlight and temperature changes.

Choose a sunny spot in your garden and space the plants 24-36 inches apart. Our spring weather can still be unpredictable, so keep an eye on nighttime temperatures and be prepared to cover them if a late frost threatens.

Celebrity Tomato needs consistent moisture, especially during our dry summers. Aim to provide about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on the weather. The "finger test" is a good way to check: stick your finger into the soil about 2 inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

Water deeply at the base of the plant, avoiding overhead watering to minimize the risk of fungal diseases, which can still occur even with its disease resistance. Given our low humidity, watering in the morning allows the foliage to dry quickly. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth, while yellowing leaves and soggy soil indicate overwatering.

Mulching around the base of the plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. With our water restrictions becoming more common, this is especially important for water-wise gardening.

Celebrity Tomato is a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a certain size and then stops, but it still benefits from support. Because it is semi-determinate, meaning it's shorter than a full indeterminate, medium-height cages work well. Install the supports at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later.

Sturdy tomato cages or stakes are ideal for keeping the plants upright and preventing the fruit from touching the soil. Gently train the plant to grow within the cage as it develops, tucking in any stray branches.

You can expect your first harvest of Celebrity Tomatoes from mid-June through late July, about 70 days after transplanting. The fruits are ready to pick when they are a deep red color, firm to the touch, and have a slight give when gently squeezed.

To harvest, simply twist the tomato gently until it separates from the vine. Regularly harvesting ripe tomatoes encourages the plant to continue producing. As our first frost approaches in early November, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer, not touching, in a cool, dark place.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter with Celebrity Tomato in Northern California:

Blossom Drop

• What it looks like: Flowers fall off the plant without setting fruit. Small fruit yellows and drops. The plant looks healthy otherwise.
• What causes it: Temperature stress. Our moderate-to-hot summer days, especially if coupled with warm nights, can cause blossom drop. Low humidity or poor pollination can also contribute.
• How to fix/prevent it: Be patient; fruit set usually resumes when temperatures moderate. Provide afternoon shade during heat waves. Keep plants well-watered. Gently shake the plants to encourage pollination.

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 family plants, and the caterpillars are voracious eaters.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're easy to spot). Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective and organic. If you see a hornworm covered in white cocoons, leave it alone – those are parasitic wasp eggs that will kill the hornworm and produce beneficial wasps.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (a target or bullseye pattern) appear on the lower leaves first, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: 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 base of the plants to prevent soil splash. Water at the base, not overhead. Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly and pruning. Copper fungicide can slow the spread. Rotate your crops each year.

Northern California Specific Challenges: Our region's combination of moderate-to-hot heat, low humidity, and dry summers can stress tomato plants, making them more susceptible to blossom drop and other issues. Consistent watering, mulching, and providing afternoon shade during heat waves are key to success.

Companion planting can benefit your Celebrity Tomato plants. Basil is a great companion because it repels pests like tomato hornworms and whiteflies, and is said to improve the flavor of tomatoes. Carrots improve soil structure and attract beneficial insects. Parsley also attracts beneficial insects and deters some pests. French marigolds repel nematodes and other soil pests.

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