Early Girl

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Early Girl to a garden.

Sun-warmed and richly aromatic, Early Girl tomatoes ripen with a classic, juicy sweetness and a bright, tangy lift.

The fruit is firm yet succulent in the hand, with a smooth, satin skin and a true slicing shape that holds its form beautifully. Grow Early Girl for early, dependable harvests—ideal for fresh market-style slices, vibrant salads, and bold sauces that celebrate its balanced flavor from the first ripe week onward.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 58 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Early Girl Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 13th	Jul 20th	Sep 16th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 13th	Sep 9th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Aug 30th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Aug 30th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 7th	Sep 3rd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Aug 30th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 1st	Aug 28th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Aug 23rd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 22nd	Aug 19th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 19th	Aug 16th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 13th	Aug 10th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 8th	Aug 5th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	May 29th	Jul 26th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 20th	Jul 17th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 11th	Jul 8th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	Apr 24th	Jun 21st – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Mar 30th	May 27th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	58
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	8

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Early Girl’s early, consistent ripening shows up on the plate as firm, juicy slices—less watery than many early tomatoes, so it holds up in salads and under heat. Cook it briefly and let it reduce for a lively, tangy spoonful; over-stewing is where it loses that clean, slicing integrity.

Best Uses

thick slices on sourdough with a quick drizzle of olive oil
high-contrast summer salads where tomatoes must hold their shape
fast-cooked skillet sauce (stew, reduce, and season)
bruschetta topping that won’t collapse into watery mush

Flavor Profile

juicy sweetness with a bright, tangy lift firm flesh that stays sliceable smooth, satin skin that doesn’t fight the bite classic tomato aromatics—sun-warmed and peppery

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic aged balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella black pepper chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease/pest problem for Solanum lycopersicum (Early Girl tomatoes), and how can I fix it?

Blossom-end rot and early blight are two frequent issues on tomato plants. Blossom-end rot shows as dark, leathery patches on the bottom of fruit; keep soil moisture consistent (mulch and steady watering) and avoid letting the soil dry out between waterings. Early blight causes dark, concentric spots on older leaves; remove infected leaves early and keep foliage dry by watering at the base rather than from above.

How often should I water Early Girl tomatoes during the main growing phase?

During active fruit growth, water deeply enough to moisten the soil 6–8 inches down, typically about 1–2 inches per week depending on heat and soil—more in hot, windy weather. Aim for 1 watering per day or every other day early on, then scale to weather so the soil stays evenly moist, not soggy. Irregular watering is a major trigger for blossom-end rot and cracking.

How do I tell when an Early Girl tomato is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruit has reached full color for your variety and the tomato feels slightly firm but gives a little when gently squeezed. Most Early Girl tomatoes are ready around 58 days from transplant, and picking at the pink/red stage helps the plant keep producing. If you see color beginning at the blossom end, check daily—let them ripen on the vine for best flavor once they’re mostly colored.