Early Girl Tomato in Zone 6B — Great Plains

Early Girl Tomato is a fantastic choice for Great Plains gardeners because it delivers that classic tomato flavor sooner than most. You'll be enjoying fresh, homegrown tomatoes in salads, sandwiches, and sauces while your neighbors are still waiting. The satisfaction of harvesting ripe, juicy tomatoes from your own backyard is hard to beat, especially when our short growing season often feels like a race against the clock.

Our region is known for extreme temperature swings and the occasional hailstorm, but don't let that scare you off. With a little planning and attention to timing, you can successfully grow Early Girl Tomatoes right here in the Plains. Our 198-day growing season gives you plenty of time to get a great harvest.

Start your Early Girl Tomato seeds indoors from early to late March. This gives them a 6-week head start, crucial for our variable Plains springs. You'll want to 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 heat mat is helpful. Once seedlings emerge, a grow light is ideal to prevent legginess, especially if you have a south-facing window that gets intense sunshine.

Water from the bottom to encourage strong root growth and prevent damping-off. Just set the tray in a shallow dish of water until the surface of the soil is moist. Remember, our springs can be unpredictable, so be ready to protect your seedlings from any late frosts.

Transplant your Early Girl Tomato seedlings outdoors from late April through early June, once the danger of frost has passed. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade, increasing the time and sun exposure each day.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in well-drained soil. Choose a sunny spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Keep an eye on the forecast – even in late spring, we can get unexpected cold snaps, so be prepared to cover your young plants if needed.

Consistent watering is key to a bountiful harvest of Early Girl Tomatoes, especially in our Great Plains climate. These plants aren't drought-tolerant and need regular moisture, especially during our hot summers. Aim to provide about 1-2 inches of water per week, adjusting based on rainfall.

The "finger test" is your best friend here. 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 strong root growth and minimize fungal diseases. Overhead watering can lead to issues, given our low-to-moderate humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry, cracked soil. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch, like straw or wood chips, helps retain moisture in the soil and regulate soil temperature, crucial with our extreme temperature swings.

Early Girl Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit throughout the season. They definitely need support! Standard 5-foot tomato cages or sturdy stakes work well.

Install the support system at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently guide the stems into the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine.

Given the windy conditions on the Plains, make sure your supports are firmly anchored in the ground to prevent them from toppling over. Wind protection is essential for healthy tomato plants.

Pruning your Early Girl Tomatoes can help improve airflow and encourage earlier ripening, a bonus in our region. Focus on removing the suckers that grow in the "armpit" between the main stem and the branches.

Prune these suckers early in the season, when they're small and easy to remove. Also, remove any yellowing or diseased lower leaves to prevent the spread of disease.

As the end of the season approaches in late October, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen before the first frost.

You can expect your first harvest of Early Girl Tomatoes from mid-June through mid-August, depending on when you transplanted them. The tomatoes are ready to pick when they turn a deep red color and are slightly soft to the touch.

Gently twist or cut the tomato from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production, so check your plants every few days.

As the first frost approaches in late October, harvest any remaining green tomatoes. They can ripen indoors in a paper bag with an apple or banana.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Early Girl Tomatoes in the Great Plains:

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 caused by inconsistent watering. Our variable rainfall patterns on the Plains can lead to drought/flood cycles that disrupt calcium uptake.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently! Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Remove affected fruit.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (target pattern) on lower leaves, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm conditions. Spreads via soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. Rotate crops yearly.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Large 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. Leave any hornworms with white cocoons on them – those are beneficial parasitic wasp eggs.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in tomato skin, either concentric circles around the stem or radial lines.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell. Fruit absorbs water faster than the skin can expand.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently to avoid the dry/wet cycle. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Great Plains Specific Challenges: Our region's combination of hot heat, low-to-moderate humidity, and variable rainfall can stress tomato plants. Consistent watering and mulching are crucial for success. Wind protection is also important to prevent damage to plants and fruit.

Companion planting can help your Early Girl Tomatoes thrive in the Great Plains.

Good companions:

• Basil: Repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies.
• Carrots: Improve soil aeration and attract beneficial insects.
• Parsley: Attracts beneficial insects and repels tomato hornworms.
• French Marigolds: Repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Bad companions:

• Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower): Can stunt tomato growth.
• Fennel: Inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes.
• Corn: Shares diseases and pests with tomatoes and can block sunlight.