Bush Early Girl

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sun-warmed and richly aromatic, Bush Early Girl brings a classic slicer’s promise with a smooth, juicy bite and a balanced, sweet-tangy flavor.

At maturity, its medium-large fruits develop a deep, true red blush with a firm yet tender flesh—ideal for showcasing in fresh slices, bright salads, and vibrant sauces. Compact and dependable for the home garden, it delivers early-season satisfaction in a tidy bush habit.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Determinate

Botanical illustration of Bush Early Girl

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Leesburg (Zone 7a).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 2nd
Last Frost	Apr 20th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 15th
Harvest Begins	Aug 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 20th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This is a true slicer: firm enough to cut clean and juicy enough to hydrate a plate, without turning into paste. The sweet-tang balance makes it ideal for quick heat or sharp dressings where the tomato stays front-and-center rather than fading.

Best Uses

thick sandwich slices that stay intact without turning watery
fresh tomato salad with a punchy vinaigrette (holds dressing instead of collapsing)
quick stovetop pan sauce—simmer briefly to a glossy, spoonable coating
brighter salsa/smashed tomatoes where texture matters

Flavor Profile

balanced sweet-tang acidity smooth, juicy bite firm-but-tender slicing flesh classic tomato aromatics with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic mozzarella balsamic vinegar sea salt black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage early blight on Bush Early Girl tomatoes?

Early blight shows up as dark, concentric “target” spots on older leaves first, often with yellowing spreading upward. Remove and discard affected lower leaves as soon as you spot spots, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and apply a labeled fungicide such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb early in the outbreak and repeat as directed. Improve airflow by spacing plants and removing suckers if your plants are crowding, because dense foliage makes early blight spread fast.

How often should I water Bush Early Girl tomatoes during peak growth?

During the main growing phase (when plants are actively setting fruit), aim to keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 to 2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. In hot weather, check daily: if the top 1 inch of soil is dry, water deeply until the root zone is wet and runoff begins, then wait until that 1-inch layer dries again. Mulch around plants helps prevent the wet-dry swings that cause Blossom End Rot on this variety.

When are Bush Early Girl tomatoes ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored (mostly red for this early variety), slightly firm, and have a full, tomato-like scent. If the fruit lifts easily from the stem with a gentle twist and the bottom shoulder is no longer green, it’s ready. For best flavor, pick at peak ripeness near the 75-day mark and avoid leaving fruits on the plant through repeated cool, wet nights.