Early Girl Tomato in Zone 10A — Desert Southwest

Early Girl Tomato is a fantastic choice for Desert Southwest gardeners craving that fresh-from-the-garden taste. It's one of the earliest tomatoes you can harvest, meaning you'll be enjoying homegrown tomatoes before the extreme heat of summer really kicks in. Plus, its versatility in cooking makes it a rewarding addition to any desert garden.

While our climate presents unique challenges like intense sun and alkaline soil, Early Girl's early maturity allows you to capitalize on our two growing seasons. With a 339-day growing season, we have a good window to get these tomatoes going before the summer heat hits and again in the fall. Proper timing and care will help you succeed.

Start your Early Girl Tomato seeds indoors from mid December through early January, giving them about 6 weeks to get a head start before transplanting. Use seed trays and a good seed-starting mix. A heat mat helps with germination, and grow lights are essential to prevent leggy seedlings since our spring warmth comes early.

Bottom watering is key to keep the soil evenly moist without damping off. Place the seed tray in a shallow container of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. This encourages strong root growth. Remember our spring can be very-early, so don't delay!

Transplant your Early Girl Tomato seedlings outdoors from early February through mid March. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This prevents shock from the sudden change in environment.

Space your plants 24-36 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. Even in early February, watch for unexpected temperature swings and protect young plants with frost cloth if needed. Our sun can be intense even early in the year, so a little shade cloth during the hottest part of the day might be beneficial for the first week or two.

Watering is crucial for Early Girl Tomato success in our Desert Southwest climate. These tomatoes need consistent moisture to thrive, especially during fruit development. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, adjusting based on rainfall and temperature.

Use the "finger test" to check soil moisture. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil near the base of the plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water deeply at the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth and avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease in our arid environment.

During the hottest part of the spring, you might need to water daily. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A layer of organic mulch, like shredded bark, helps retain soil moisture and regulates soil temperature, but keep it away from the stem to prevent rot.

Early Girl Tomato is an indeterminate variety, meaning it will continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season. Providing adequate support is essential to keep the plant healthy and productive. Standard 5-foot cages or sturdy stakes work well.

Install the support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently tie the stems to the stake or weave them through the cage to keep the plant upright and prevent the fruit from touching the ground. This also improves air circulation, reducing the risk of disease.

Pruning your Early Girl Tomato plants can improve fruit production and overall plant health in our Desert Southwest gardens. Focus on removing suckers, which are the small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and branches. Removing these suckers directs the plant's energy towards fruit production, helping it ripen faster.

Prune the lower leaves that touch the soil to improve air circulation and prevent soil-borne diseases. Start pruning a few weeks after transplanting and continue throughout the growing season. As the first frost approaches in late December, you can remove the top of the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first harvest of Early Girl Tomatoes from late March through late May. These tomatoes are ready to harvest when they turn a deep red color and are slightly soft to the touch. They ripen early in the season, so keep a close eye on them.

Gently twist or cut the tomatoes from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches in late 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 Early Girl Tomato in the Desert Southwest:

Blossom End Rot

• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering, leading to calcium deficiency. Our dry climate and occasional monsoon bursts make it tough to maintain even soil moisture.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently! Mulch heavily to retain soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Remove affected fruit.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. Monsoon season can create the perfect environment for it.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base of the plant. Copper fungicide can slow the spread.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Big green caterpillars with white stripes. Dark droppings on leaves.
• What causes it: Voracious caterpillars that can defoliate plants quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're easy to spot). Bt spray is effective and organic. If you see white cocoons on a hornworm, leave it alone!

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either circles around the stem or lines radiating from the stem.
• What causes it: Heavy watering after a dry spell. Our monsoon season can trigger this.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Desert Southwest Specific Challenges: Our extreme heat can stress tomato plants, making them more susceptible to problems. The arid humidity means diseases can spread quickly if you're not careful with watering. Even monsoon moisture can cause problems. Consistent monitoring and quick action are key to successful Early Girl Tomato growing in the Desert Southwest.

Good companions for Early Girl Tomato in the Desert Southwest include basil, carrots, parsley, and French marigolds. Basil repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots loosen the soil, improving drainage. Parsley attracts beneficial insects. French marigolds repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn competes for nutrients and water, which is especially important to avoid in our arid climate.