Grape tomatoes never were my favorite. Give me a candy-like Sungold cherry tomato, a small Green Zebra slicing tomato or a Cherokee Purple heirloom. Grape tomatoes, though, I had no time for until a farmer friend told me she cans hers.
I thought that sounded terrible, having to peel all those tiny tomatoes. It turns out, you don’t peel them at all. You put them right into the food processor, peels, seeds and all. Cook them down a little, and can them just like usual.
With the right variety, you don’t even know the peels are in the mix. I tried this method for the first time last year, and I have to say that, after canning the same amount of tomatoes in half the time as usual, I may never go back to canning big reds.
Grape tomatoes are a delicious and versatile type of tomato. Their petite size makes them perfect for snacking, salads, skewers, and more Grape tomatoes are easy to grow in home gardens with proper care This complete growing guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to plant and grow a bountiful crop of grape tomatoes.
Grape tomatoes are small, oval-shaped tomatoes that are about the size of a grape They are typically red, but can also come in colors like green, yellow, orange, and purple Grape tomatoes have a crisp texture and sweet, juicy flavor.
Compared to cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes are smaller, firmer, and not quite as sweet. However, they make up for it with their long shelf life, disease resistance, and high yield potential.
Grape tomatoes came onto the commercial scene in the 1990s and quickly became popular. Home gardeners also appreciated their compact size, hardiness, and productivity.
Today, grape tomatoes are a garden staple and appear in many salad bars and produce sections. When cared for properly, grape tomato plants will reward you with abundant fruit throughout the summer.
When to Plant Grape Tomatoes
Grape tomatoes are a warm season crop. They require consistently warm temperatures between 70-85°F to grow well. Temperatures below 55°F or above 90°F can inhibit fruit set and development.
It’s best to plant grape tomatoes 1-2 weeks after the last expected frost date for your area. Planting too early when it’s still cold will stunt growth.
You can extend the growing season by using season extending techniques like cold frames, hoop houses, and fabric row covers. Just make sure to harden off plants first before transplanting.
In warmer climates, you can sow grape tomato seeds in late winter/early spring for an early summer harvest. Staggered plantings every 2-3 weeks will ensure a continuous supply.
Starting Grape Tomato Seeds Indoors
Grape tomatoes are commonly started indoors from seed and later transplanted outside. Here are some tips for starting grape tomato seeds indoors:
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Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Use a seed starting mix and plant seeds 1⁄4 inch deep.
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Maintain a soil temperature of 75-85°F for best germination. Use a heat mat if needed.
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Once sprouted, move seedlings to a sunny window or under grow lights. Turn plants daily to prevent stretching toward light.
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When plants have 2-4 true leaves, repot into larger containers or cell packs.
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Harden off plants for 7-10 days before transplanting by setting them outdoors for increasing periods.
Transplanting Grape Tomato Seedlings
Once the danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed up, it’s time to transplant grape tomato seedlings into the garden. Follow these tips for successful transplanting:
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Harden off plants first to prevent transplant shock. Leave them outdoors for a few hours at a time.
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Space plants 24-36 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart, or in cages/containers. Grape tomatoes need good airflow.
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Dig holes the depth of the root ball and twice as wide. Gently loosen roots before placing in hole.
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Pinch off all flowers and fruits before transplanting so plants can focus energy on establishing roots.
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Water newly transplanted seedlings daily for the first week until they become established.
Caring for Grape Tomato Plants
Grape tomato plants require some simple care to grow their best throughout the season:
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Water 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep foliage dry.
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Use mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Shredded leaves, straw, or plastic mulch work well.
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Cage or stake plants for support. Grape tomatoes grow 5-6 feet tall when supported.
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Prune suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) to direct energy to fruit production.
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Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced tomato fertilizer or compost tea once flowering begins.
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Rotate plantings to different beds each year to disrupt disease cycles.
Harvesting Grape Tomatoes
One of the best parts of growing grape tomatoes is enjoying the harvest! You can begin harvesting grape tomatoes once fruits reach full color. Here are some grape tomato harvesting tips:
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Pick fruits when they are fully colored but still firm. Overripe tomatoes will crack and spoil quickly.
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Harvest ripe fruits every couple days to encourage more production. Don’t let them overripen on the vine.
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Gently twist fruits off the vine instead of pulling to avoid damaging plants. Use scissors for harder to reach fruits.
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Store freshly picked grape tomatoes at room temperature and avoid refrigeration. They will keep for about a week.
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Wash just before eating. You can freeze excess harvested grape tomatoes whole to enjoy later.
Common Pests and Diseases
Grape tomatoes are susceptible to some common tomato pests and diseases. Here’s what to watch out for:
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Hornworms: Large green caterpillars that chew leaves and fruits. Hand pick off plants.
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Aphids: Small sucking insects that cluster on leaves and stems. Use insecticidal soap.
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Blossom end rot: Dark leathery spot on bottom of fruit caused by calcium deficiency.
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Early blight: Brown target-like spots on leaves caused by fungus. Improve airflow.
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Verticillium wilt: Leaves wilt and turn yellow. Rotate plantings and solarize soil.
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Tomato mosaic virus: Distinctive yellow mottling on leaves. Control aphids which transmit it.
Growing Tips for Maximizing Yields
Follow these tips to maximize your grape tomato harvest:
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Choose disease resistant varieties like Juliet, Smarty, and Red Grape.
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Use row covers at planting and remove once flowers appear to exclude pests.
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Add compost and fertilizer with calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
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Stake or cage plants to improve air circulation and keep fruits off the ground.
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Use plastic mulch to warm soil, reduce weeds, and keep foliage dry.
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Prune leaves around fruits to allow sunlight exposure and improve ripening.
How to Use Your Grape Tomato Harvest
The compact size and sweet flavor of grape tomatoes make them extremely versatile in recipes. Here are some ways to use up your grape tomato harvest:
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Snack on them raw or use grape tomatoes to make tasty skewers.
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Toss whole grape tomatoes into green salads, grain bowls, bruschetta, and panzanella salads.
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Roast or sauté halved grape tomatoes to use in pasta, pizza, omelets, sandwiches and more.
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Make a simple pasta sauce with grape tomatoes simmered with garlic and olive oil.
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Pickle whole grape tomatoes or make grape tomato jam.
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Use grape tomatoes in place of cherry tomatoes in any recipe.
With proper care, grape tomato plants will reward you all season long with their compact and flavorful fruits. Follow this complete growing guide for tips on when to plant, starting from seed, transplanting, caring for plants, harvesting, and using grape tomatoes. With just a little effort, you’ll be harvesting basketfuls of delicious grape tomatoes from your own garden.
What Are Grape Tomatoes?
The popularity of tiny produce has taken off in the past decade. Whereas vegetable varieties used to be selected for hardiness or flavor, we now want our veggies to be cute, too.
Among the small-tomato types, grape tomatoes generally grow to 1 to 2 ounces in weight and 1 to 2 inches long. They come in red, green, yellow and striped varieties, making for an interesting jar of canned tomatoes, if you wish to mix and match.
There are many varieties of grape tomatoes, including open pollinated, heirlooms and hybrids.
I’m partial to the Juliet hybrid variety for my newfound quick-and-dirty canning purposes. They’re sweet and juicy for fresh eating, too.
Other varieties you might consider include Cherry Roma, Riesentraube, Green Grape and Yellow Jelly Bean. Look through a few catalogs, and you’ll find a few to plant.
How to Grow Grape Tomatoes
Like any tomato, grape tomatoes do well started indoors. Seeds generally germinate within a few days to a week. And grape tomatoes will be ready to harvest in two and a half months or so, all depending on the variety.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the chance of frost has passed. Put them in a mostly sunny to full-sun place in your garden, about 2 feet apart, or in a pot on your patio. If you’re lucky enough to have a high tunnel, grape tomato plants can thrive there, too, beginning in the middle of spring.
Keep them watered but not drowning, and be careful to not splash water on the leaves. Mulch the plants with straw or grass clippings to prevent rainwater from splashing soil (and pathogens) onto the leaves. Serious growers may use plasticulture here.
Grape tomato plants can be determinate or indeterminate. Your preference may determine the variety that you choose. Both will need some supports, as the fruits grow in clusters, get heavy and weigh down the plants.
Pick the tomatoes as they mature, and remove damaged or diseased tomatoes from the plant to help the plant regenerate new fruits and also reduce the spread of the disease.
How to grow grape tomato plants from one grape tomato
FAQ
What is the best way to grow grape tomatoes?
Growing Grape Tomatoes
Grape tomatoes require full sun to produce fruit. Make sure to place your container in a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal temperature range for growing grape tomatoes is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much space do grape tomatoes need?
What is the correct way to plant tomatoes?
Fill up the pot almost all the way to the top with your potting soil, leaving a few inches of room, and place your tomato slices directly on the soil, in a circular pattern. Cover the tomato slices with a light layer of soil–you don’t want them buried too deep in there.
Do grape tomatoes grow well in pots?
Certainly you can grow tomatoes in a container. Be sure that the pot has drainage holes and use a lightweight potting mix such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix, which will continuously feed for up to 2 months.