What are the sun requirements for Solanum lycopersicum 'Bush Early Girl'?

Solanum lycopersicum 'Bush Early Girl' is a compact, determinate tomato cultivar that produces medium-sized, round fruits on plants that typically reach 4-5 feet in height. This bush-type variety features deeply lobed, pinnately compound leaves that are dark green and slightly fuzzy to the touch, characteristic of tomato plants. The plant produces clusters of small, bright yellow flowers with five petals that develop into smooth, glossy red fruits weighing approximately 6-8 ounces each. The variety is prized for its early maturity and reliable production, making it an excellent choice for gardeners with shorter growing seasons. Unlike indeterminate varieties, Solanum lycopersicum 'Bush Early Girl' has a more controlled growth habit and produces most of its fruit within a concentrated time period. The fruits are firm, juicy, and well-balanced in flavor, making them suitable for both fresh eating and cooking applications.

Native Range

Solanum lycopersicum is native to western South America, specifically the Andes Mountains region spanning Peru, Ecuador, and northern Chile. Wild ancestors of the cultivated tomato still grow in these mountainous regions, where they developed as sprawling perennial plants in the mild, frost-free climate.

Suggested Uses

Solanum lycopersicum 'Bush Early Girl' works well in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and large containers. Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens and patios where space is limited. The early-maturing fruits are excellent for fresh eating, slicing for sandwiches, and use in salads and cooking. This variety is particularly valuable for gardeners in northern climates or areas with short growing seasons who want reliable tomato harvests.

How to Identify

Solanum lycopersicum 'Bush Early Girl' can be identified by its compact, bushy growth habit that reaches 4-5 feet tall without extensive staking. The plant has the characteristic tomato foliage of deeply divided, compound leaves that are dark green and slightly hairy. Yellow five-petaled flowers appear in clusters, followed by medium-sized, round red fruits that ripen earlier than most standard varieties. The determinate growth habit means the plant stops growing at a certain height and produces most of its fruit simultaneously, distinguishing it from indeterminate varieties that continue growing and producing throughout the season.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 5'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Summer Fall

summer through early fall

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 6.8(Neutral)

357912

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate to high

Time to Maturity

50-60 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Solanum lycopersicum 'Bush Early Girl' requires consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking, with soil kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting, then switch to a lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus fertilizer once flowering begins to promote fruit development. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. While this determinate variety requires less staking than indeterminate types, providing support with cages or stakes will prevent branches from breaking under the weight of fruit. Monitor regularly for common tomato pests like hornworms and diseases such as early blight.

Pruning

Solanum lycopersicum 'Bush Early Girl' requires minimal pruning compared to indeterminate varieties. Remove suckers that develop in the leaf axils below the first flower cluster to direct energy to fruit production. Remove lower leaves that touch the ground to prevent disease transmission. Once fruit begins to ripen, you may remove some lower leaves to improve air circulation, but avoid excessive pruning as determinate varieties rely on their foliage for photosynthesis during the concentrated fruiting period.

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

The green parts of Solanum lycopersicum 'Bush Early Girl', including leaves, stems, and green fruits, contain solanine and other glycoalkaloids that are toxic to humans and pets if consumed in large quantities. Ripe red fruits are safe and nutritious to eat. Keep pets and children away from the foliage and green plant parts.