Sun Gold Tomato in Zone 8B — Southeast

Sun Gold tomatoes are like sunshine in your mouth, and they thrive in our long Southeast summers. Their intense sweetness and prolific yields make them perfect for snacking straight from the vine, adding to salads, or even grilling. Plus, there's nothing quite as satisfying as harvesting buckets of these golden gems from your own backyard.

We all know the Southeast can be a challenge with the humidity and disease pressure, but with a little planning, you can easily grow Sun Golds. Our 255-day growing season gives you plenty of time to get a jump start indoors and enjoy a long harvest.

Start your Sun Gold tomato seeds indoors in early to late February. This gives them about 6 weeks to get a head start before the weather warms up enough to transplant them outside. You'll need seed trays, a good seed-starting mix, and a warm, sunny spot or grow lights.

Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Bottom watering works great – just set the seed trays in a shallow pan of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. Since our springs here in the Southeast can have moderate spells, this helps keep the seedlings consistently moist without overwatering.

Transplant your Sun Gold tomato seedlings outdoors from late March through late April. This is when the risk of frost has passed, and the soil has warmed up. Before you transplant, harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade and increase the time and sun exposure each day.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as we can still get some cool snaps that time of year.

Sun Gold tomatoes need consistent watering, especially during our hot, humid summers. They are not drought-tolerant, and the thin skin of the fruit is prone to cracking if the soil dries out and then gets a sudden drenching from one of our afternoon thunderstorms.

During the hottest part of the summer, you'll likely need to water deeply every 2-3 days, providing 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. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate.

Overwatering can lead to root rot, so make sure the soil is well-draining. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, while yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering. Mulching around the base of the plants with straw or pine straw helps retain moisture and prevent soil splash, which is key in our climate.

Sun Gold tomatoes are vigorous indeterminate plants, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They need strong support to keep them off the ground and prevent the stems from breaking under the weight of the fruit.

Tall, sturdy cages or strong stakes work best. Install the support 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.

Sun Gold tomatoes are known for their sprawling growth habit, so pruning is essential to keep them manageable and improve air circulation. This is especially important in the Southeast, where our humidity can lead to fungal diseases.

Remove the suckers that grow in the "V" between the main stem and the branches. These suckers will eventually become full-sized branches and produce even more foliage, which can overcrowd the plant. Also, remove the lower leaves that touch the ground, as these are more susceptible to soil-borne diseases. Toward the end of the season, around mid- November, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining fruit to ripen before the first frost.

You can expect your first harvest of Sun Gold tomatoes from mid May through early July, about 57 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ripe when they turn a deep orange-gold color and are slightly soft to the touch. They'll also have an intensely sweet flavor.

Gently twist or snip the tomatoes from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Sun Golds are known for dropping from the vine when they're very ripe, so check your plants frequently. To encourage continued production, harvest the tomatoes as soon as they're ripe. As the first frost approaches around mid- November, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter with Sun Gold tomatoes in the Southeast:

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either concentric circles around the stem or radial lines radiating from the stem.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell. The fruit absorbs water faster than the skin can expand. Sun Golds are particularly prone to this.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently to avoid the dry/wet cycle. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Over-production

• What it looks like: An overwhelming amount of tomatoes all ripening at once!
• What causes it: The vigorous growth habit of Sun Golds, combined with our long growing season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Stagger your planting times, planting a few plants every few weeks. Freeze or can the excess tomatoes. Share with neighbors!

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (target or bullseye pattern) on lower leaves first, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: Fungal disease (Alternaria solani) that thrives in our warm, humid conditions. Spreads via soil splash onto lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves (don't compost). Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base, not overhead. Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. Copper fungicide slows spread. Rotate crops yearly.

Southeast Specific Challenges: The hot heat, humid humidity, and wet-summer rainfall in the Southeast create the perfect environment for fungal diseases like early blight. Consistent monitoring, proper watering techniques, and good air circulation are essential for growing healthy Sun Gold tomatoes here.

Companion planting can help your Sun Gold tomatoes thrive in the Southeast. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests, and it also improves the flavor of the tomatoes. Carrots and parsley attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds repel nematodes and other soil-borne pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) near tomatoes, as they compete for nutrients. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can attract pests that also attack tomatoes.