Early Girl Tomato in Zone 7A — Texas

Early Girl Tomato is a winner here in Texas because it lives up to its name. You'll get ripe, tasty tomatoes weeks before other varieties, giving you a jump start on that fresh tomato flavor we all crave after a long winter. Plus, it's versatile – slice it, dice it, sauce it – and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of harvesting your own tomatoes in the Texas heat.

Sure, Texas throws us curveballs with unpredictable weather and periods of extreme heat. But with a little planning and attention, you can absolutely enjoy a successful Early Girl harvest. Our long 245-day growing season gives you plenty of time to get those tomatoes going.

Starting your Early Girl Tomato seeds indoors gives them a head start before the Texas heat really kicks in. You'll want to start those seeds indoors from early February through early March, roughly six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. This timing takes advantage of our early spring tendencies.

Set up your seed trays with a good seed-starting mix and make sure they have drainage. Keep them warm (a heat mat is great) and under grow lights to prevent leggy seedlings. Don't forget to water from the bottom – set the tray in a shallow dish of water until the soil surface is moist.

Transplant your Early Girl Tomato seedlings outdoors from late March through early May, after the danger of frost has passed. Before planting them in the ground, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This is important because the Texas sun can be intense, even early in the season.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in well-draining soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – those late cold snaps can still happen, so be ready to cover your plants if needed.

Early Girl Tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially with our unpredictable rainfall here in Texas. While they’re a bit more forgiving than some other varieties, don't let them dry out completely. The goal is to provide consistent moisture for steady production.

During the spring, when temperatures are milder, check the soil moisture every few days using the "finger test" – stick your finger about two inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Once the Texas heat arrives, you might need to water every day or every other day, providing about 1-2 inches of water per week. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our variable humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry, cracked soil. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around your plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially important in our climate.

Early Girl Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. That means they need support to keep those vines and tomatoes off the ground. Standard 5-foot tomato cages or sturdy stakes work well.

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

Pruning your Early Girl Tomatoes can help improve air circulation and encourage earlier ripening, which is exactly what we want in Texas! Focus on removing the suckers that grow between the main stem and the branches. These suckers won't produce fruit but will steal energy from the rest of the plant.

Start pruning a few weeks after transplanting and continue throughout the season. As the first frost approaches around mid- November, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

Get ready to harvest your first Early Girl Tomatoes from mid May through mid July! This early harvest is one of the biggest perks of growing this variety in Texas. 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 tomatoes from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production, so check your plants every few days. As the end of the season approaches and frost threatens, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll still develop flavor on a windowsill.

Early Girl Tomatoes, like all tomatoes, can face some challenges here in Texas. Keep an eye out for these common problems:

• 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. The drought/flood cycles we sometimes experience in Texas really mess with calcium uptake.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Remove any affected fruit.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on the lower leaves. The leaves will eventually yellow and drop off.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It spreads through soil splash, which happens easily during our unpredictable rainfall.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base of the plant. Improve air circulation by pruning.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Look for big green caterpillars with white stripes and dark droppings.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths, and they can defoliate your plants in no time.
• 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 in circles around the stem or radiating out from it.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell, causing the fruit to absorb water too quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Texas Specific Challenges: The hot-to-extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall in Texas can exacerbate these problems. Consistent watering is key to preventing blossom end rot and cracking. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent early blight. Vigilance is key for spotting and dealing with hornworms.

Companion planting can give your Early Girl Tomatoes a boost in the Texas garden. Basil is a classic companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots improve the soil around your tomato plants, and parsley attracts beneficial insects. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near your tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel is also a bad companion because it inhibits the growth of many plants. Corn can attract tomato pests, so keep them separated as well.