Sun Gold Tomato in Zone 10A — Desert Southwest

Sun Gold Tomatoes are practically candy, and in our Zone 10A Desert Southwest gardens, you'll be picking handful after handful of these golden gems. Their intense sweetness makes them perfect for snacking straight off the vine, adding a burst of flavor to salads, or even grilling for a smoky-sweet side dish. Plus, the satisfaction of growing your own tomatoes in the desert heat is hard to beat!

Sure, desert gardening presents challenges like extreme heat and alkaline soil, but with careful timing, you can absolutely succeed. We have that long 339-day growing season in our favor, giving you two solid chances to grow these delicious tomatoes. Let's get started!

To get a head start on your Sun Gold Tomatoes, start your seeds indoors from mid-December through early January. This gives them about 6 weeks to get established before transplanting. Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix.

Keep the trays warm (around 75-80°F) and provide plenty of light. A grow light works wonders, especially since our daylight hours are shorter during this time of year. Don't forget to water from the bottom to avoid damping off! Place the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up. This encourages strong root growth. Here in the Desert Southwest, we start our spring gardens very-early.

Transplant your Sun Gold Tomato seedlings outdoors from early February through early March, after the last expected frost. Before transplanting, you'll need to harden them off. This means gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade, increasing the time and sun exposure each day.

When transplanting, space the plants 24-36 inches apart. This gives them plenty of room to grow, which they will! Even in February, our desert sun can be intense, so choose a cloudy day or transplant in the late afternoon to minimize transplant shock. A little shade cloth for the first week or so can really help.

Sun Gold Tomatoes are thirsty plants, especially in our arid Desert Southwest climate. They need consistent moisture to produce those sweet, juicy fruits. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, increasing during the hottest part of summer.

Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil near the base of the plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water deeply at the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth and to keep the foliage dry. Overhead watering can lead to fungal diseases, even in our low-humidity environment, especially when the monsoon moisture arrives!

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and blossom end rot. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Apply a generous layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Sun Gold Tomatoes are vigorous indeterminate growers, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They absolutely need strong support to keep them off the ground and prevent them from sprawling. A tall, sturdy tomato cage or a strong stake works best.

Install the support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently tie the stems to the support with soft twine or plant ties. This helps keep the plant upright and prevents the branches from breaking under the weight of the fruit.

If you don't prune Sun Gold Tomatoes, they'll quickly take over your garden! These plants are known for their vigorous growth, so regular pruning is essential to keep them manageable and productive. 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. This directs the plant's energy into fruit production rather than foliage. Also, remove any yellowing or dead leaves from the bottom of the plant to improve air circulation. As our first frost approaches around late December, you can prune off any remaining flowers to encourage the plant to ripen the existing fruit.

Get ready for a bountiful harvest of Sun Gold Tomatoes! Expect your first ripe tomatoes from early April through mid May, about 57 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ready to pick when they turn a bright orange-gold color and are slightly soft to the touch. They should also have an intensely sweet aroma.

Gently twist the tomato from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Sun Golds are known to drop from the vine when they're perfectly ripe, so keep an eye out for those little treasures! To encourage continued production, harvest regularly. As the weather cools in late fall, any remaining green tomatoes can be ripened indoors in a paper bag.

Even with the best care, you might encounter a few problems with your Sun Gold Tomatoes in the Desert Southwest. Here are three common issues and how to address them:

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either circles around the stem or lines radiating from the stem.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering, especially heavy watering after a dry spell. The fruit absorbs water too quickly, causing the skin to crack.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently to maintain even soil moisture. Mulch around the plants to help regulate soil temperature. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.

Over-Production

• What it looks like: An overwhelming number of tomatoes ripening at once, leading to potential waste.
• What causes it: Sun Golds are just naturally prolific, especially with our long growing season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Stagger your planting times to spread out the harvest. Share your bounty with neighbors! Preserve the excess by canning, freezing, or drying.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (target pattern) on lower leaves, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. Spreads via soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. Copper fungicide can slow the spread.

Desert Southwest Specific Challenges: Our extreme heat can cause sunscald on the fruit, so consider using shade cloth during the hottest part of the day. The arid humidity can also stress the plants, making them more susceptible to disease. Consistent watering and good air circulation are key to success. Even our monsoon moisture can cause issues!

Companion planting can help your Sun Gold Tomatoes thrive in the Desert Southwest garden.

Good companions include:

• Basil: Improves tomato flavor and repels pests.
• Carrots: Loosen the soil and attract beneficial insects.
• Parsley: Attracts beneficial insects and deters tomato hornworms.
• French Marigolds: Repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting these near your tomatoes:

• Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower): Compete for nutrients and attract pests.
• Fennel: Inhibits tomato growth.
• Corn: Attracts tomato hornworms.