What should you plant tomatoes with?

Tomatoes grow best alongside companion plants such as basil, marigolds, garlic, corn, and onions. However, they should not be planted near potatoes or other nightshade plants that are susceptible to the same diseases.

When should tomato plants be planted?

Tomato seedlings are transplanted into the ground after the last frosts, when the soil has warmed sufficiently, to around 12 to 15 °C. Planting under cover can begin a little earlier.

Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?

Botanically speaking, the tomato is a fruit, as it grows from a flower and contains seeds. In cooking, however, it is considered a vegetable because of its use in savory dishes, salads, and sauces. It therefore belongs to both categories depending on the context.

Cherry Tomatoes: Which Varieties to Choose and Grow?

Long neglected in favor of large-fruited varieties, the wild cherry tomato returned to the spotlight in the 1990s when Marks & Spencer sought to market small fruits in its supermarkets. Israeli engineers improved the wild miniature tomato, found in South America, to develop a variety that is easy to grow and sweet.

How can you recognize a cherry tomato?

The cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a perennial plant. It is grown as an annual vegetable in most climates.

The size of the plant varies greatly depending on the selected variety. Dwarf varieties reach a maximum height of 50 centimeters, while the largest varieties can grow to over two meters tall. The plant may have a bushy or semi-trailing growth habit.

The deep green foliage is divided into several lobed leaflets. It grows on sturdy stems covered with a fine fuzz. These hairs help the plant regulate its moisture levels.

In the spring, yellow hermaphroditic flowers bloom. To release their pollen and initiate fruit formation, they require external assistance, such as a breeze or the presence of pollinating insects.

The fruits grow in clusters. They measure between one and three centimeters in diameter and are characterized by:

A diameter ranging from one to three centimeters;
A round or slightly flattened shape;
A varied color palette (yellow, orange, red, purple, or green when ripe);
Solid or mottled colors.

Which varieties of cherry tomatoes should you plant in your garden?

The world of cherry tomatoes is divided into two main families, defined by their growth habits:

Indeterminate cherry tomatoes, which grow indefinitely, require pruning, and are harvested throughout the summer;
Determinate cherry tomatoes, which stop growing once they reach their final size, do not need to be pruned, and produce all their fruit at once.

The Best Indeterminate Cherry Tomatoes

If you have space and want to harvest your tomatoes for immediate consumption, choose an Indeterminate tomato such as:

'Sungold ': very productive and early-maturing, it produces small, bright orange, sweet tomatoes;
'Black Cherry': hardy, it produces deep purple, almost black fruit;
'Supersweet 100 ': produces juicy, bright red tomatoes throughout the summer;
'Cœur de pigeon ': easy to grow and high-yielding. The fruits are red and elongated;
'Tutti Frutti': red, elongated fruits that can be harvested through October.

The Best Determinate Cherry Tomato Varieties

For growing in pots or in a small garden, choose the determinate tomato. These varieties are also recommended if you have limited time for pruning. You can choose:

'Tiny Tim': a cherry tomato that doesn't grow taller than 40 cm, perfect for growing in pots or on a balcony;
'Pendulina Red' and'Pendulina Yellow': compact varieties with red or yellow fruit, ideal for growing in pots;
'Gold Nugget ': a hybrid with yellow fruit that grows to a maximum height of 60 cm.

Are cherry tomatoes poisonous?

The fruit— the Tomato—is not toxic to humans. It is widely consumed, raw or cooked, all over the world. Be careful, however, not to pick your cherry tomatoes too early. Unripe fruits can cause digestive problems.

The stems and leaves, on the other hand, are considered toxic. They contain solanine and tomatine.

The green parts, as well as the unripe fruit, are also toxic to animals. Do not feed tomatoes to your dog or cat, and do not let them nibble on the leaves.

Diseases / Threats