Early Girl Tomato in Zone 7B — Northern California

Early Girl Tomato is a fantastic choice for Northern California gardens. It reliably delivers delicious, medium-sized red tomatoes earlier than almost any other variety. The taste is classic tomato, perfect for slicing into sandwiches, adding to salads, or making a quick sauce with your fresh basil.

Our Mediterranean climate here in Northern California, with its long growing season, is perfect for tomatoes. While we face challenges like drought and increasingly hot summers, getting a head start indoors and choosing the right variety like Early Girl makes a bountiful harvest very achievable within our 245-day season.

Starting your Early Girl Tomato seeds indoors from early February through early March gives you a jump on our long growing season. That's about 6 weeks before you'll want to put them in the ground. Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix.

Keep the soil consistently moist, and a little warmth helps germination. A heat mat is great, but even a warm spot in your house will do. Bottom watering is my preferred method: set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. Once they've sprouted, make sure they get plenty of light – a sunny windowsill or, even better, a grow light. Given our early spring character here, light is essential.

Transplant your Early Girl Tomato seedlings outdoors from late March through early May, once the danger of frost has passed. Before planting, 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 sunlight each day.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Even though our last frost is usually in mid-March, keep an eye on the weather forecast. A late cold snap can still happen.

Early Girl Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially during our dry summers. They are not drought tolerant, and inconsistent watering is a recipe for problems. I aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, but adjust based on the weather and your soil.

Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water deeply at the base of the plant rather than overhead to avoid fungal diseases, which can be a problem even in our typically low-humidity climate. Overhead watering also wastes water.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch, like straw or wood chips, will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, a must-do for our dry conditions.

Early Girl Tomatoes are an indeterminate variety, which means they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They need support to keep the vines off the ground and prevent the fruit from rotting.

A standard 5-foot tomato cage or sturdy stakes work well. Install the support at planting time, before the plant gets too big. As the plant grows, gently guide the stems through the cage or tie them to the stakes with soft twine.

Pruning Early Girl Tomatoes helps improve airflow and encourages earlier ripening, which is one of the variety's selling points. Focus on removing suckers, which are the small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and the branches.

Pinch off the suckers when they're small, about 2-3 inches long. Removing the lower suckers allows the plant to focus its energy on fruit production higher up. As the season winds down in late fall, you can also prune off the top of the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen before our first frost around mid- November.

You can expect your first Early Girl Tomatoes to ripen from mid May through mid July, depending on when you transplanted. The fruit is ready to harvest when it turns a deep red color and is slightly soft to the touch.

Gently twist the tomato off the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches in mid- November, 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 Tomatoes in Northern California:

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. Our dry summers can lead to uneven soil moisture.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.

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 conditions. Soil splash spreads it to lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation by spacing and pruning.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Large green caterpillars with white stripes. Dark droppings on leaves.
• What causes it: Larvae of hawk moths. They can defoliate plants quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're big and easy to spot). Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective.

Cracking

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

Northern California Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot summers, low humidity, and dry-summer rainfall can create challenges for Early Girl Tomatoes. Consistent watering is key to preventing blossom end rot and cracking. Mulching helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Be vigilant about checking for pests and diseases, and take action promptly to prevent them from spreading.

Companion planting can help your Early Girl Tomatoes thrive here. Basil is a classic companion because it repels pests like tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Carrots and parsley attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds deter nematodes, which can damage tomato roots.

Avoid planting tomatoes near brassicas like cabbage and broccoli, as they compete for nutrients. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can attract tomato pests like corn earworms, which can also damage tomatoes.