Early Girl Tomato in Zone 9A — Southern California

Early Girl Tomato is a winner here in Southern California. It delivers that classic tomato flavor early in the season, perfect for slicing into sandwiches or adding to salads while other varieties are still thinking about it. Plus, with our long growing season, you'll be enjoying homegrown tomatoes much earlier than folks in colder climates.

Sure, we have our challenges with drought and summer heat inland, but with careful planning and attention to watering, you can absolutely have a thriving Early Girl crop. Our 322-day growing season gives you plenty of time to get a jump start and enjoy a long harvest.

To get a head start on your Early Girl tomatoes, start your seeds indoors from late December through mid January. This gives them about six weeks to get strong before transplanting. You'll need seed trays, a good seed-starting mix, and a warm, sunny spot or a grow light.

Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Bottom watering is a great way to prevent damping off. Because our spring comes early in SoCal, getting those seedlings going indoors is key to a truly early harvest.

Transplant your Early Girl seedlings outdoors from mid February through late March. Before you do, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Even in mid-February, we can still get some unexpected cool snaps, so keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to cover your young plants if needed.

Early Girl tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially in our Southern California climate. With our hot summers and tendency toward drought, proper watering is crucial for a good harvest. While Early Girl is more forgiving than some other varieties, it still needs regular watering.

During the cooler spring months, check the soil moisture by sticking your finger in about two inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Once the summer heat inland kicks in, you'll likely need to water deeply several times a week, providing at least 1-2 inches of water each time. Watering at the base of the plant is best to avoid wetting the leaves, especially with our low-to-moderate humidity.

Watch for signs of underwatering, like wilting leaves or blossom end rot. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture and keeps the soil cooler, which is especially important during our long, hot summers.

Early Girl tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They need strong support to keep them off the ground and prevent the fruit from rotting. A standard 5-foot tomato cage works well, or you can use sturdy stakes.

Install the support 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. This will keep the plant upright and allow for good air circulation.

Pruning your Early Girl tomatoes can help improve air circulation and encourage earlier ripening, which is especially beneficial in our climate. Focus on removing the suckers that grow in the "V" between the main stem and the branches. These suckers will eventually produce their own stems, leaves, and fruit, but they can also steal energy from the main plant.

Also, remove any yellowing or diseased leaves, especially those near the bottom of the plant. As the first frost approaches around mid- December, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen. This redirects the plant's energy to ripening existing fruit instead of producing new ones.

You can expect your first harvest of Early Girl tomatoes from early April through early June, depending on when you transplanted. The tomatoes are ready to pick when they turn a deep red color and are slightly soft to the touch. Don't wait too long, or they may crack or attract pests.

Gently twist or cut the tomato from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Early Girl is known for continuous production, so keep harvesting regularly to encourage more fruit to set. As the first frost approaches in mid- December, 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 growing Early Girl tomatoes in Southern 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: Inconsistent watering, which leads to calcium deficiency. This is common in SoCal due to our drought conditions and occasional heavy rains.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during fruit development. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (target pattern) on lower leaves, spreading upwards. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid 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 of the plant. Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Large green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: These voracious caterpillars 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 concentric circles around the stem or radial lines 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 to avoid the dry/wet cycle. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Southern California Specific Challenges: Our hot, dry summers and winter-wet rainfall patterns make consistent watering crucial to prevent blossom end rot and cracking. The Santa Ana winds can also dry out plants quickly, so be sure to monitor soil moisture closely.

Companion planting can help your Early Girl tomatoes thrive. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots improve the soil and can help deter nematodes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds repel nematodes and other soil pests.

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