Early Girl Tomato in Zone 9B — Desert Southwest

Early Girl Tomato is a fantastic choice for Desert Southwest gardeners in Zone 9B. You can get ripe, juicy tomatoes incredibly early in the season. Their classic tomato flavor makes them perfect for salads, sandwiches, and sauces, and it’s so satisfying to harvest your own tomatoes before the extreme heat of summer really kicks in.

While our region presents challenges like extreme heat and alkaline soil, the timing of Early Girl allows you to get a great harvest before those issues become overwhelming. Our long 313-day growing season gives you plenty of opportunity for success.

Start your Early Girl Tomato seeds indoors from early to late January. Starting seeds indoors gives them a head start, which is essential in our very-early spring climate.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist, and consider bottom watering to avoid damping off. Place the trays in a warm location, ideally around 70-75°F, and provide plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light.

Transplant your Early Girl Tomato seedlings outdoors from mid February through early April, after the last expected frost. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil, spacing the plants 24-36 inches apart. Even in late February, be prepared for unexpected temperature swings. Protect young transplants from strong winds or late frosts with row covers if needed.

Early Girl Tomatoes need consistent moisture to produce well in our arid climate. During the cooler spring months (late February through April), aim to water deeply 2-3 times per week, providing about 1-2 inches of water each time. Use the finger test – if the soil feels dry about 2 inches below the surface, it's time to water.

As the temperatures rise in late spring and early summer (May and June), increase watering to 3-4 times per week, providing 2-3 inches of water. During the monsoon season, pay attention to rainfall, but don't rely on it entirely. Supplement with irrigation as needed to maintain consistent soil moisture. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage disease in our warm, arid conditions.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and blossom end rot. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around the base of the plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is crucial in our extreme heat.

Early Girl Tomatoes are an indeterminate variety, meaning they will continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season. Because of this, they need strong support.

Standard 5-foot tomato cages or sturdy stakes work well. Install the supports at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently weave 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 key in our short growing season. Focus on removing the suckers that grow in the crotch between the main stem and the branches.

Prune these suckers regularly throughout the growing season, especially the lower ones, to direct the plant's energy towards fruit production. As the first frost approaches around mid- December, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first harvest of Early Girl Tomatoes from early April through mid June. These are one of the earliest varieties, so you'll likely be picking ripe tomatoes before your neighbors!

The tomatoes are ready to harvest 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. As the first frost approaches in mid- December, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and ripen them indoors in a paper bag.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Early Girl Tomatoes in the Desert Southwest:

Blossom End Rot

• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the fruit.
• What causes it: Calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering, a common issue in our region's fluctuating weather.
• 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.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions, especially when water splashes onto the leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can help.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Big green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: Voracious caterpillars that can defoliate plants quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (early morning is best). Use Bt spray. Leave hornworms with white cocoons (parasitic wasp eggs).

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either concentric or radial.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering, especially heavy watering after a dry spell, which is typical of our monsoon season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly.

Desert Southwest Specific Challenges: The extreme heat can cause sunscald on fruits. Shade cloth is essential during the hottest part of the day. Our alkaline soil can affect nutrient uptake, so amend with compost. And the arid humidity means you have to water deeply and consistently. Monsoon moisture can cause cracking and disease.

Companion planting can really help your Early Girl Tomatoes thrive in the Desert Southwest. Basil is a great companion because it repels pests like tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Carrots improve the soil around tomato plants, and parsley attracts beneficial insects. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like broccoli or cabbage) near tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, so keep it far away. Corn can attract pests that also affect tomatoes.