Matt's Wild Cherry

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sweetly fragrant, Matt’s Wild Cherry bursts with glossy, warm cherry-red fruit that cling like little lanterns along the vine.

Each bite delivers a lively snap and a juicy, candy-bright sweetness with a whisper of wild tang—perfect for snacking straight from the plant and for adding vivid color to fresh salads, salsas, and quick pan sauces. A vigorous 60-day performer, it’s an irresistible choice for gardeners who want abundant, flavorful tomatoes that look as good as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Matt's Wild Cherry

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	9

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Matt’s Wild Cherry is built for immediacy: a crisp, juicy snap with candy sweetness and a whisper of wild tang that stays clean instead of falling flat in heat. Use fast contact—blister in a hot pan or dress lightly—so the fruit doesn’t turn mushy before that fragrant, lantern-bright flavor lands.

Best Uses

snack it warm off the vine—no slicing, let the gloss pop
quick-pan cherry tomato sauce (just blister, then toss with pasta or bread)
fresh salsa with chopped onion and cilantro for a sweet-wild tang profile
salad scattering where it can hold shape under light vinaigrette

Flavor Profile

candy-bright sweetness lively wild tang juicy, snap-forward bite sweet-tomato fragrance

Kitchen Pairings

garlic red onion olive oil balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella cilantro

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Solanum lycopersicum (cherry/tomato type), and how do I treat it?

Watch for early blight (dark concentric spots on older leaves) and leaf mold/Septoria, which are common on tomatoes in humid conditions. Remove and discard infected lower leaves, improve airflow with wider spacing, and water at the soil line (not on foliage). If spots spread, spray with a labeled fungicide for tomatoes and start at first symptoms; repeat according to the label interval.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during its main growing phase?

During active growth and fruit set, keep the root zone evenly moist by watering deeply about 2–3 times per week, depending on heat and soil type. Aim for soil that stays consistently damp 2–4 inches down—never waterlogged. Mulch helps stabilize moisture and reduces blossom-end rot, which is linked to irregular watering.

How can I tell when my Solanum lycopersicum (Matt’s Wild Cherry) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored (no green shoulders), slightly firm, and detach from the vine with an easy twist. For the best flavor, pick frequently once they start ripening—overripe cherry fruits can split or become less sweet. Most plants will be ready around 60 days from transplant/growing start, depending on conditions.