Early Girl Tomato in Zone 9B — Florida

Early Girl Tomato is a winner in Florida because it actually delivers on its name. You get ripe, tasty tomatoes surprisingly early in our reversed growing season. It’s a reliable workhorse for fresh eating, sandwiches, and salads, especially when your neighbors are still waiting for their tomatoes to turn red.

Sure, Florida gardening has its quirks – humidity, nematodes, the occasional hurricane. But by starting Early Girl Tomato at the right time, you can beat the worst of the summer heat and humidity, and get a delicious harvest from our long, 344-day growing season.

To get a jump start on the season, begin your Early Girl Tomato seeds indoors from mid December through early January. That gives you about 6 weeks to get them strong before transplanting. You'll want to use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix.

Keep the soil consistently moist, and a little warmth from a heat mat helps germination. Once they sprout, give them plenty of light with a grow light or a very sunny window. It's easy to underwater small seedlings in our dry winters, so bottom watering is a great way to keep the soil evenly moist. Remember, our spring is reversed – we’re trying to get a head start before the real heat hits.

Transplant your Early Girl Tomato seedlings outdoors from early February through mid March. Before you move them permanently, harden them off for about a week by gradually exposing them to the outdoors. Start with an hour or two of shade, increasing the time and sun exposure each day.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather – we can still get some cool snaps during this time, so be ready to cover them if a frost threatens.

Early Girl Tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially in our sandy Florida soil. The key is to water deeply and regularly, especially as the fruits are developing. While Early Girl is more forgiving than some heirlooms, don't let it dry out completely.

During our drier spring months (February-May), give your plants about 1-2 inches of water per week. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil – if it feels dry, it's time to water. As the summer heat cranks up and the rainy season starts, you might need to adjust. During the wettest weeks, you might not need to water at all!

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and blossom end rot. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around your tomato plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is always a win in Florida.

Early Girl Tomato is an indeterminate variety, meaning it will keep growing and producing fruit throughout the season. This means it needs support to keep the plant off the ground and the fruit from rotting.

Standard 5-foot cages 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 Tomato can help improve airflow and encourage earlier ripening, which is what we’re aiming for in Florida. Focus on removing the suckers that grow in the "V" between the main stem and the branches.

Also, prune the lower leaves that touch the ground to prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto the plant. Do this throughout the growing season. As the first frost approaches around late December, you can pinch off any new blossoms to encourage the plant to put its energy into ripening the existing fruit.

You can expect your first Early Girl Tomato harvest from late March through late May. The tomatoes are ready when they turn a deep, even red color. They should be slightly soft to the touch but not mushy.

Gently twist the fruit from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. To encourage continued production, harvest regularly as the fruits ripen. As the weather cools down in late fall and the first frost approaches, harvest any green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer in a cool, dark place.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Early Girl Tomato in Florida:

Blossom End Rot

• What it looks like: A dark, sunken spot on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering leads to calcium deficiency. Our sandy soil drains quickly, making consistent watering a challenge.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water deeply and 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: A fungal disease that thrives in our warm, humid climate.
• 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. Copper fungicide can help slow the spread.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. You might see the large green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: Voracious caterpillars that can defoliate plants quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they’re easy to spot). Bt spray is effective. Leave any hornworms with white cocoons on them – they’re being parasitized by beneficial wasps.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either around the stem or radiating from it.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot, humid summers and frequent heavy rains create ideal conditions for fungal diseases. Nematodes in the soil can also be a problem, so consider planting in raised beds or containers with nematode-free soil.

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

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, so keep it away. Corn can attract tomato pests, so it's best to keep them separated.