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

Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl' is Early Girl tomato (Early Girl VFF), an indeterminate annual vine growing 48-72 inches (120-180 cm / 4-6 feet) on stakes or cages. Round to slightly flattened red slicing tomatoes 4-6 ounces (110-170 g) starting 50-62 days from transplant — one of the earliest-maturing slicing tomatoes. Bright yellow 5-petaled flowers in pendant clusters. Medium green pinnately compound foliage with fine hairs. In the nightshade family (Solanaceae). F1 hybrid (introduced 1975 by Petoseed Company). Indeterminate: continues growing and producing until frost (unlike determinate types which set one main crop over 2-4 weeks). VFF resistant: Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) and Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2 (Fusarium oxysporum). The early maturity is the cultivar's defining trait — the trade-off is that the 4-6 ounce (110-170 g) fruit is smaller than mid-season beefsteak types (8-16 ounces / 225-450 g). Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost. Remove suckers weekly. All green parts contain solanine — toxic to pets and humans in quantity. Ripe fruit is non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Full sun. Tender annual. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

F1 hybrid cultivar introduced in 1975 by Petoseed Company. The species S. lycopersicum is native to western South America (Peru, Ecuador).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). The earliest-maturing slicing tomato. Indeterminate — produces until frost. VFF resistant. F1 hybrid. Green parts toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by round to slightly flattened red slicing fruit 4-6 ounces (110-170 g) on an indeterminate vine. The very early maturity (50-62 days from transplant) and the VFF disease resistance distinguish Early Girl. F1 hybrid. Indeterminate. In Solanaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 6'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer Fall

Summer to fall (June-September). Bright yellow 5-petaled flowers in pendant clusters. Self-pollinating. Fruit starting 50-62 days from transplant. Indeterminate: continuous production until frost.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow, 5-petaled, 0.5 inch (12 mm), in pendant clusters

Foliage Description

Medium green, pinnately compound with toothed leaflets, fine hairs — release tomato scent when touched

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• 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

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

50-62 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Rich well-drained soil pH 6.0-6.8. Start indoors 6 weeks early. Indeterminate — stake or cage (4-6 feet / 120-180 cm). Remove suckers weekly. VFF resistant. Consistent watering (blossom end rot). F1 hybrid. Green parts toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

Pruning

Remove suckers weekly from leaf axils. Remove lower leaves below the first fruit truss. Top the main stem 4-6 weeks before first frost. Indeterminate — requires ongoing sucker removal.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall