Celebrity Tomato in Zone 9A — Northern California

Celebrity Tomato is a fantastic choice for Northern California gardeners. Its reliable yields of medium-large, flavorful tomatoes make it perfect for everything from fresh salads to homemade sauces. Plus, its excellent disease resistance means even beginner gardeners can enjoy a bountiful harvest in our long growing season.

While we NorCal gardeners face challenges like drought and increasingly hot summers, Celebrity Tomato's relatively short maturity time and adaptability make it a manageable and rewarding crop. With a little planning and attention, you can enjoy homegrown tomatoes from late spring well into fall, thanks to our extended 288-day growing season.

Starting your Celebrity Tomato seeds indoors from mid-January through early February gives them a head start for our early spring. Sow seeds in seed trays filled with a good seed-starting mix, and keep them consistently moist. Bottom watering is ideal – set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil absorb it from the bottom up to prevent damping off.

Place the trays in a warm location or use a heat mat to maintain a soil temperature around 70-75°F. Once seedlings emerge, provide them with plenty of light, either from a sunny south-facing window or a grow light. Our early spring warmth can be deceiving, so starting indoors ensures your plants are strong enough to handle any late temperature dips.

Transplant your Celebrity Tomato seedlings outdoors from early March through early April, once the danger of frost has passed. Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with a few hours of shade each day, increasing the time and sun exposure gradually.

When transplanting, space plants 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Prepare the planting hole with compost to give them a nutrient boost. Keep an eye on the weather forecast around this time, as we can still get unexpected cold snaps.

Watering is crucial for Celebrity Tomato in our dry Northern California climate. Consistent moisture is key for the best fruit production. During the hotter summer months, you'll likely need to water deeply several times a week, providing about 1-2 inches of water each time.

Use the "finger test" – stick your finger into the soil about 2 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-humidity environment.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil, while overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around the base of the plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is especially helpful during our long, dry summers.

Celebrity Tomato is a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a certain size and then stops, but it still benefits from support. Because it's a semi-determinate, shorter than full indeterminate varieties, medium-height cages work well. These provide adequate support for the plant's growth habit.

Install the cages or stakes at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. Gently guide the plant's stems into the cage as it grows. This prevents the fruit-laden branches from sprawling on the ground and reduces the risk of disease and pests.

You can expect your first Celebrity Tomato harvest from mid-May through early July, about 70 days after transplanting. The tomatoes 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, gently twist the tomato from the vine, leaving the stem attached. Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the season. As our first frost approaches in early December, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer, out of direct sunlight.

Here are some 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 fruits may turn yellow and drop prematurely, even though the plant itself looks healthy.
• What causes it: Temperature stress is usually the culprit. In Northern California, this can happen during unexpected heat waves in late spring or early summer. Low humidity, excess nitrogen, or poor pollination can also contribute.
• How to fix/prevent it: Be patient, as fruit set will likely resume once temperatures moderate. Provide afternoon shade during periods of extreme heat. Ensure consistent watering, but avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Gently shake the plants to encourage pollination, especially on still days.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves are stripped overnight. Look for large (up to 4 inches long) green caterpillars with white diagonal stripes and dark droppings on the leaves below.
• What causes it: Hornworms are the larvae of hawk moths and can quickly defoliate tomato plants. They are more prevalent in areas with abundant foliage.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpicking is the most effective organic control method. Check your plants regularly and remove any hornworms you find. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is also effective and safe for beneficial insects. If you see hornworms with white cocoons on their backs, leave them be – those are beneficial parasitic wasp eggs.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (target or bullseye pattern) appear on the lower leaves first, then spread upward. Affected leaves yellow and eventually drop.
• What causes it: Early blight is a fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It spreads through soil splash onto the lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy any affected leaves (do not compost them). Mulch around the base of the plants to prevent soil splash. Water at the base of the plant, avoiding overhead watering. Improve air circulation by spacing plants adequately and pruning excess foliage. Copper fungicide can help slow the spread of the disease. Crop rotation is important in subsequent years.

Northern California Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot summers, low humidity, and dry-summer rainfall patterns can create a challenging environment for Celebrity Tomato. Consistent watering is essential, but be careful to avoid overwatering, especially in heavy soils. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, reducing the need for frequent watering.

Companion planting can help your Celebrity Tomato thrive in Northern California. Basil is an excellent companion because it repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Carrots improve the soil around tomatoes and deter nematodes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds are known to repel nematodes and other soil pests, protecting the roots of your tomato plants.

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