Celebrity Tomato in Zone 8B — Southeast

Celebrity Tomato is a fantastic choice for Southeast gardeners because it consistently delivers delicious, medium-large fruit perfect for slicing, sauces, and canning. Its excellent disease resistance is a major plus in our humid climate, and the reliable yields make it incredibly satisfying to grow your own tomatoes, even with our long summer.

Our region certainly has its challenges, like the humidity and the potential for fungal diseases, but with a little planning and attention to timing, you can absolutely have a bumper crop of Celebrity Tomatoes. With a long growing season of around 255 days, you have plenty of opportunity to get these tomatoes from seed to table.

Starting your Celebrity Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go in the Southeast, giving them a head start before the heat really kicks in. Begin in early to late February, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside.

You'll need seed trays or small pots, a good seed-starting mix, and a warm, sunny spot or grow lights. Bottom watering is your friend here – set the seed trays in a shallow tray of water and let them soak it up from the bottom to avoid damping off. Spring here in the Southeast is moderate, so you might need a heat mat to keep the soil warm enough for germination.

Transplant your Celebrity Tomato seedlings outdoors in late March through late April, once the danger of frost has passed. Before you commit them to the garden, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – a late cold snap can still happen. Be sure to protect your young plants if one is predicted.

Consistent watering is key for Celebrity Tomatoes, especially in our hot and humid summers. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. During the hottest part of the summer, that might mean watering deeply every other day.

Stick your finger about two inches into the soil – if it feels dry, it's time to water. Typically, these tomatoes need about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall. Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate.

If the leaves are wilting and yellowing, you're likely overwatering. If the leaves are dry and the fruit is small, you're likely underwatering. A good layer of mulch around the base of the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pine straw or shredded leaves work well here.

Because Celebrity Tomatoes are determinate, they don't get as massive as some other varieties, but they still need support. A medium-height cage works perfectly well.

Install the cage or stake when you transplant the seedlings to avoid disturbing the roots later. Gently guide the plant as it grows, tucking stems inside the cage to keep the fruit off the ground.

You can expect your first Celebrity Tomatoes to ripen from early June through late July, about 70 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ready to pick when they're a deep red color, firm, and have a slight give when you gently squeeze them.

Gently twist the tomato off the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Harvest regularly to encourage the plant to produce more fruit. As mid- November approaches and the first frost looms, harvest any green tomatoes and bring them inside to ripen. Place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana to speed up the ripening process.

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 nothing.
• What causes it: Temperature stress. Nights above 75°F or days exceeding 95°F are typical in our summers and can cause this. Low humidity, excess nitrogen, or poor pollination can also contribute.
• How to fix/prevent it: Be patient – fruit set often resumes when temperatures moderate. Provide afternoon shade with shade cloth during extreme heat. Keep plants well-watered, but avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Gently shake the plants to aid pollination or use a small brush to hand-pollinate.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. You might also see large (up to 4 inches) green caterpillars with white diagonal stripes and dark droppings on the leaves.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths. They can defoliate a plant quickly, especially if you don't spot them early.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're big and easy to see, despite their camouflage). Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective and safe for organic gardening. If you see hornworms with white cocoons on their backs, leave them alone – those are parasitic wasp eggs that will kill the hornworm.

Early Blight

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

Southeast Specific Challenges: The hot heat, humid humidity, and wet-summer rainfall create the perfect environment for fungal diseases like early blight. Consistent monitoring, proper watering techniques, and good air circulation are essential for keeping your Celebrity Tomatoes healthy and productive in our climate.

Companion planting can give your Celebrity Tomatoes a boost. Basil is a great companion because it repels pests like tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Carrots improve the soil around the tomato plants and deter nematodes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests. French marigolds deter nematodes and other harmful soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage, broccoli, and kale) near tomatoes because they can stunt the tomato plants' growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn attracts tomato fruitworms, so it's best to keep them separated.