Early Girl Tomato in Zone 8B — Texas

Early Girl Tomato is a fantastic choice for Texas gardeners because it lives up to its name, delivering ripe, juicy tomatoes early in our long growing season. That early production means you'll get to enjoy that fresh-from-the-garden flavor before the worst of the Texas heat sets in, and maybe even get a second crop going for a true two tomato seasons experience.

Our unpredictable weather can be tough on tomatoes, with temperature swings and the occasional late freeze. But with a little planning and the right timing, you can absolutely enjoy a bountiful harvest of Early Girl Tomatoes. Our 273-day growing season gives you plenty of opportunity to make it happen.

Starting Early Girl Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go here in Texas, giving you a head start against the heat. Aim to sow your seeds from late January through mid February. This gives you about six weeks to get those seedlings strong before transplanting.

You'll need seed trays or small pots, a good seed-starting mix, and a warm, bright spot. A heat mat helps with germination. Consistent moisture is important, and bottom watering is a great technique to avoid damping off. Since spring comes early here, you'll want to keep an eye on the seedlings and be ready to up-pot them as needed.

Transplant your Early Girl Tomato seedlings outdoors from mid March through late April, once the danger of frost has passed. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and space the plants 24-36 inches apart. Even though the weather is usually warming up by this time, be aware that we can still get unpredictable cold snaps or even hail in the spring, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Early Girl Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially here in Texas where we can swing from drought to flash floods in a heartbeat. They aren't drought tolerant, so don't let them dry out completely.

During the cooler spring months, you might only need to water once or twice a week, giving them a good soak of about 1-2 inches. Once the Texas heat kicks in, you'll likely need to water every day or every other day, increasing the amount to 2-3 inches per week. Use the finger test – if the top 2 inches of soil are dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid fungal diseases, which can be a problem with our variable humidity.

Wilting leaves in the heat of the day are normal, but if they're still wilted in the morning, it's a sign of underwatering. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering. Mulching around your plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is essential in our climate.

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

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

Pruning Early Girl Tomatoes can help improve air circulation and encourage earlier ripening, which is a plus in our climate.

Focus on removing suckers, which are the small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and branches. Remove the lower suckers to promote airflow and direct the plant's energy into fruit production. As the end of the season approaches (first frost around late November), you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first harvest of Early Girl Tomatoes from late April through early July, about 50 days after transplanting.

The tomatoes are ready to pick when they turn a deep red color and are slightly soft to the touch. Gently twist the fruit off the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches in late November, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer, not touching, in a cool, dark place.

Here are some common problems Texas gardeners face with Early Girl Tomatoes:

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 drought/flood cycles can really mess with calcium uptake.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently! Mulch heavily. 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 our warm, humid conditions. Soil splash spreads it.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Copper fungicide can help.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Big green caterpillars with white stripes. Dark droppings on leaves.
• What causes it: Hawk moth larvae. They can defoliate a plant FAST.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're easy to spot). Bt spray is effective. Leave hornworms with white cocoons – they're being parasitized.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in tomato skin – circles around the stem or lines radiating from it.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell. The fruit swells too fast.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch. Harvest promptly.

Texas Specific Challenges: The extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall in Texas make it crucial to stay on top of watering and disease prevention with Early Girl Tomatoes. Mulching and consistent monitoring are your best defenses against the challenges our climate throws our way. Fire ants can also be a nuisance, so consider using organic bait around your tomato plants.

Good companions for Early Girl Tomatoes in Texas include:

• Basil: Deters pests and improves tomato flavor.
• Carrots: Loosen the soil and deter root-knot nematodes.
• Parsley: Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybugs, which prey on aphids.
• French Marigolds: Repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting these near your tomatoes:

• Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower): Can stunt tomato growth.
• Fennel: Inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes.
• Corn: Attracts tomato fruitworm (also known as corn earworm).