Sun Gold Tomato in Zone 9A — Florida

Sun Gold Tomatoes are practically candy, and growing them yourself is incredibly rewarding. Their intense sweetness and delightful tang make them irresistible straight off the vine, in salads, or roasted. Plus, they're a prolific producer, giving you a steady supply even with our reversed growing season here in Florida.

Sure, Florida gardening has its challenges like humidity and sandy soil, but with careful timing, you can easily grow Sun Golds. Our long, 327-day growing season gives you a great window to plant in fall and harvest in winter, avoiding the worst of the summer heat.

Start your Sun Gold Tomato seeds indoors from late December through mid January. This gives them about 6 weeks to get a head start before transplanting. 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. I like to bottom water my seed trays to prevent damping off, which is especially important in our humid Florida climate. Just set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let it soak up what it needs. Remember, in Florida, our spring is more like other regions' fall, so starting early is key.

Transplant your Sun Gold Tomato seedlings outdoors from mid February through mid March. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the Florida sunshine and temperatures.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in well-drained soil. Our weather can be unpredictable around this time, so keep an eye on the forecast for any late cold snaps. A frost blanket can protect your young plants if needed.

Sun Gold Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially in our Florida climate. They are definitely not drought-tolerant, and irregular watering can lead to cracked fruit. The plants need a lot of water to produce a lot of fruit.

During our drier fall and winter months, aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil – if it feels dry, it's time to water. When we get into our wet summers, you might not need to water as much, but still check the soil regularly.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid environment. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves, while underwatering will cause wilting. A good layer of mulch around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Sun Gold Tomatoes are vigorous indeterminate plants, meaning they'll keep growing and producing all season long. They need strong support to keep them off the ground and prevent sprawling.

Tall tomato cages or sturdy stakes work best. Install the support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently tie the stems to the support as needed, or weave them through the cage. These plants get BIG, so don't underestimate the support they need.

Sun Gold Tomatoes are notorious for their aggressive growth, so pruning is essential to keep them manageable. If you don't prune, you will have a jungle. Focus on removing suckers, which are the small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and branches.

Prune regularly throughout the growing season to encourage air circulation and focus the plant's energy on fruit production. Towards the end of the season, as we approach late December and the first frost, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first Sun Gold Tomato harvest from mid April through early June, about 57 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ripe when they turn a vibrant orange-gold color and are slightly soft to the touch. They should practically fall off the vine when they're perfectly ripe.

Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Sun Golds are known for their continuous harvest, so keep picking those ripe tomatoes! As the first frost approaches in late December, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll still taste great, even if they're not quite as sweet as vine-ripened ones.

Here are three common problems you might encounter with Sun Gold Tomatoes in Florida:

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: Inconsistent watering, especially heavy watering after a dry spell. The fruit absorbs water faster than the skin can expand.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently to maintain even soil moisture. Mulch around the base of the plant. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Over-production

• What it looks like: An overwhelming amount of tomatoes ripening at once, more than you can possibly use!
• What causes it: The vigorous growth of Sun Golds combined with Florida's favorable growing conditions can lead to a bumper crop.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plan ahead! Have recipes ready, share with neighbors, or learn to preserve them. Consider staggering your planting times to spread out the harvest.

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: A fungal disease (Alternaria solani) that thrives in warm, humid conditions and spreads via soil splash.
• 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 slow the spread. Rotate crops yearly.

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

Companion planting can help your Sun Gold Tomatoes thrive. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests, plus it improves the flavor of the tomatoes. Carrots and parsley attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds deter nematodes, which can be a problem in our sandy Florida soil.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can attract tomato pests and diseases.