Celebrity Tomato in Zone 9B — Southern California

Celebrity Tomato is a fantastic choice for Southern California gardens. Its reliable yields, delicious flavor, and disease resistance make it a winner, even with our long, warm season. Imagine fresh tomato sandwiches with ingredients straight from your garden – that's the promise of Celebrity Tomato here in SoCal.

We know our region has its challenges: drought, heat waves, and sometimes even Santa Ana winds. But with careful planning and attention to watering, you can absolutely enjoy a bountiful harvest of Celebrity Tomatoes. Our long 334-day growing season gives you plenty of time to get it right.

To get a head start on your Celebrity Tomatoes, begin your seeds indoors from late December through mid January. This gives them about 6 weeks to get strong before transplanting. Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix.

Keep the trays warm (around 70-75°F) and provide plenty of light – a grow light works wonders. Remember, our early SoCal spring means we have a very early jumpstart. Bottom watering is great for seedlings, as it encourages strong root growth and prevents damping off.

Transplant your Celebrity Tomato seedlings outdoors from early February through early March. Before planting them in the ground, be sure to harden them off. This means gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Even in early spring, keep an eye on the forecast. A late cold snap can happen, so be prepared to cover your young plants if needed.

Celebrity Tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially in our dry SoCal climate. They aren't drought-tolerant, so regular watering is crucial for a good harvest. During the warmer months, water deeply at least 2-3 times per week, providing about 1-2 inches of water each time.

Use the "finger test" – stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our low-to-moderate humidity. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot.

Mulching around your tomato plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and keeps the soil cool, which is essential during our hot summers. During our winter-wet season, you may not need to water at all if rains are consistent.

Celebrity Tomatoes are a determinate variety, but they can still get fairly large, so support is essential. Because they're semi-determinate, meaning shorter than indeterminate, medium-height cages or sturdy stakes work well. Install your chosen support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later.

As the plant grows, gently guide the stems inside the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine. This prevents the plant from sprawling and keeps the fruit off the ground.

You can expect your first Celebrity Tomatoes from mid April through early June. The fruits are ready to harvest when they're medium-large, red, and firm with a slight give when gently squeezed. Gently twist or clip the tomatoes from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant.

To encourage continued production, harvest regularly as the fruits ripen. Even though our first frost is usually in late December, keep an eye on the forecast. If a freeze is predicted, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll still taste great!

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Celebrity Tomatoes in Southern California:

Blossom Drop

• What it looks like: Flowers fall off the plant without setting fruit. Small fruit yellows and drops. The plant looks healthy, but there's no tomato production.
• What causes it: Temperature stress is the main culprit. Our summer heat inland can cause blossom drop, especially when nighttime temperatures stay above 75°F or daytime temperatures exceed 95°F. 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 the hottest part of the day. Keep plants well-watered and avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Try hand-pollinating the flowers.

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. Dark droppings are also visible 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 feed voraciously.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick the hornworms (they don't bite!) and drop them in soapy water. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective and organic. If you see hornworms with white cocoons on them, 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 the lower leaves first, then spread upward. The leaves yellow and eventually drop off.
• What causes it: This is a fungal disease (Alternaria solani) that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It spreads via soil splash onto the lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy any 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 crops yearly.

Southern California Specific Challenges: Our region's hot summers inland can exacerbate blossom drop and increase the risk of fungal diseases. Water restrictions mean you need to be efficient with your watering, focusing on deep, infrequent watering rather than shallow, frequent watering. Santa Ana winds can also dry out plants quickly, so be sure to provide extra water during these events.

Companion planting can help your Celebrity Tomatoes thrive. Basil is a great companion because it repels pests like tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Carrots planted nearby can help improve the soil structure and attract beneficial insects. Parsley attracts hoverflies, which are beneficial predators that eat aphids. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

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