Early Girl Tomato in Zone 6A — Mountain West

Early Girl Tomato is a fantastic choice for Mountain West gardens because it delivers delicious, reliably ripe tomatoes even with our short growing season. The flavor is classic tomato—slightly sweet, slightly acidic—perfect for fresh eating, sauces, or canning. Plus, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of harvesting your own ripe tomatoes in July, knowing you beat the challenges of high-altitude gardening.

Our region definitely presents some hurdles, like intense sun, alkaline soil, and cool nights even in summer. But with a little planning and attention to timing, you can absolutely enjoy a bountiful harvest of Early Girl Tomatoes. Our 153-day growing season is manageable with this variety, especially if you start your plants indoors.

Starting your Early Girl Tomato seeds indoors from late March through mid April gives them a head start against our short growing season. Aim for about 6 weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. This timing works well since our spring weather can be unpredictable.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good quality seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) by watering from the bottom to avoid damping off. Provide warmth (around 70-75°F) and plenty of light, either from a sunny south-facing window or a grow light.

Transplant your Early Girl Tomato seedlings outdoors from mid May through late June, after the danger of frost has passed. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the intense sun and cooler nights of our region.

Space the plants 24-36 inches apart in a sunny location. Be mindful that even in late May, we can still get surprise frosts, so keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to cover your young plants if needed.

Early Girl Tomatoes need consistent moisture to produce a good crop, but overwatering in our alkaline soil can be just as detrimental as underwatering. The key is finding the right balance, considering our low humidity and dry rainfall.

During the peak of summer, when temperatures are consistently in the 80s, plan to water deeply about 2-3 times per week. Use the "finger test" – stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil near the base of the plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.

Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to minimize fungal diseases, which are less of a concern here because our low humidity tends to inhibit fungal growth. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and blossom end rot. A good layer of mulch around your plants will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Early Girl Tomatoes are an indeterminate variety, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit throughout the season. That means they'll need support to keep them off the ground and prevent sprawling.

Standard 5-foot tomato cages or sturdy stakes work well. Install the support at planting time to avoid damaging the roots later. As the plant grows, gently weave the stems through the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine.

Pruning Early Girl Tomatoes can help them ripen faster, which is especially important in our short growing season. Focus on removing the suckers that grow in the crotch between the main stem and the branches. These suckers will steal energy from fruit production.

Prune these lower suckers throughout the season, especially early on. As the first frost approaches in early October, you can also prune away the top of the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first Early Girl Tomato harvest from early July through early September, about 50 days after transplanting. The fruits will be medium-sized and turn a deep red when ripe.

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, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer, not touching, in a moderately cool room.

Even the most careful gardeners can run into problems. Here are a few common issues with Early Girl Tomatoes in the Mountain West:

Blossom End Rot

• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering, common in our dry climate with alkaline soils.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that spreads via soil splash. While our low humidity helps, it can still occur, especially after rain.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch well. Water at the base. Improve air circulation by pruning. Copper fungicide can help.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Big green caterpillars with white stripes.
• 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.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either circles around the stem or lines radiating from it.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering, especially heavy watering after a dry spell – a common scenario after summer storms roll through the mountains.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch well. Harvest promptly.

Mountain West Specific Challenges: Our intense sun can sometimes lead to sunscald on the fruit, so make sure your plants have adequate foliage cover or provide some shade during the hottest part of the day. Our alkaline soil can also affect nutrient uptake, so consider amending your soil with compost or other organic matter to improve its pH and fertility.

Companion planting can help your Early Girl Tomatoes thrive. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots and parsley can attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds also repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting tomatoes near brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli), as they can inhibit tomato growth. Fennel is also a bad companion because it releases substances that can stunt tomato plants. Corn can block sunlight and compete for nutrients.