How Long Do Tomatoes Take to Grow?

When you're growing tomatoes, one of the most important things to know is how long it will take for them to grow. In this blog post, we'll discuss the average time it takes for tomatoes to grow, as well as some tips on how to speed up the process. So whether you're a tomato novice or an experienced gardener, read on for everything you need to know about growing tomatoes!

How long does it take for tomatoes to grow?

The average time it takes for tomato varieties to grow from seed to harvest tomatoes is about 90 days. However, there are many factors that can affect this timeline, such as the type of tomato you're growing and the climate you're growing it in. Some early-season tomato plants also produce ripe tomatoes in as little as 45 days.

For example, determinate tomatoes (also known as bush tomatoes) typically mature faster than indeterminate tomatoes or vining tomatoes, and tomatoes grown in warmer climates will mature faster than those grown in cooler climates. Also, determinate tomato plants freeze their growth at a certain height. Determinate varieties are best for tiny spaces or container gardens.

Types Of Tomatoes Based On Growing Days

1. Early Season Tomatoes- 50-60 days. 
These are the types of red tomatoes i.e cherry tomatoes, and globe tomatoes that you'll want to plant if you're looking for an early harvest. They include:

1. Celebrity
   A popular early-season tomato that produces bright red, juicy fruits.
2. Stupice
   A disease-resistant early season variety that is perfect for colder climates.
3. Sun Gold
   A hybrid variety that is known for its sweet flavor and early maturity.
4. Early Girl
   A classic early season variety that is known for its large and tasty fruit production.
5. Jet Star
   A hybrid variety that is known for its tomato disease resistance and high yields.
6. Big Boy
   A classic early-season variety that is best for large and red fruit development.
7. Super Sweet 100
   A hybrid variety that is known for its sweetness and early maturity.
8. Arkansas Traveler
   It is an heirloom variety that produces large, flavorful fruit.

2. Mid Season Tomatoes - 65-80 days
If you're looking for a more moderate harvest, plant one of these types of tomatoes:

1. Better Boy
   A classic variety that produces large, red fruit.
2. Beefsteak
   A large tomato that is known for its juicy, flavorful fruit.
3. Brandywine
   An heirloom variety that is known for its large, pink fruit.
4. Mortgage Lifter
   An heirloom variety that is known for its large, red fruit.
5. Rutgers
   A classic mid-season variety that produces large, Rutgers-shaped fruit.
6. Yellow Pear
   A small, yellow tomato that is perfect for salads.
7. Amish paste tomatoes
   A mid-season heirloom tomato variety that produces fruit that are large in size and red in color.
8. sweet million
   A hybrid variety that is known for its sweetness and high yields.

3. Late-Season Tomatoes - 85 days or more
These tomatoes take the longest to mature, but they're worth the wait! They include:

1. Black Tommy toe

A black Tommy toe is a type of heirloom tomato that produces small, dark red fruit.

2. Cherokee Purple
   An heirloom variety that produces large, dark purple fruit.

3. Giant Belgium
   A giant tomato that can weigh up to 2 pounds!

4. Green Zebra
   An heirloom variety that produces green and yellow fruit.

5. Black Krim
   An heirloom variety that produces large, dark purple fruit.

6. white cherry tomato
   A small, white tomato that is perfect for salads.

How Long Do Tomato Plants Take To Bear Fruit?

Once you have your young tomato plants in the ground, it will take them anywhere from 50 to 80 days to bear fruit. The specific timeline will depend on the type of tomato you're growing and the climate you're growing it in. Well, indeterminate tomato plants will grow and produce tomatoes till late year but cold weather will force the mature or young plants to die.

Breakdown of a tomato plant's lifecycle

1. Seed germination( 2-3 weeks):
Seeds will germinate and begin to grow.

2. Planting and transplanting (4-6 weeks):
Watch your tomato seedlings outdoors as they grow up from the ground.Tomato's entire plant is ready to be transplanted when they have 4-6 true leaves.

3. Flowering (6-8 weeks):
Yellow flowers will start to form on the tomato plants. You will notice tiny bumps in the middle of tomato flowers.

4. Fruiting (8-12 weeks):
Your plant will be producing tomatoes in 8-12 weeks if you take good care of them.

5. Tomato harvest (10-14 weeks):
Tomatoes will be ripe and ready to be harvested! You might wonder why there's a massively diverse range in the time it takes for a tomato plant to produce a ripe tomato. Well, for the tomato plant it's normal.

Tips for Speeding Up The Tomato Growing Process

Although the average time it takes for tomatoes to grow is about 90 days, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process:

1. Start with the best tomato seeds or Healthy Seeds
The healthier your seeds, the better are your chances of having healthy tomato plants. Make sure to buy organic seeds if possible, and store them in a cool, dry place. If your seeds are not healthy then you'd have to wait an extra month or more for ripe fruit.

2. Plant tomatoes In A Sunny Spot
Green tomatoes need plenty of sunlight in order to grow properly. Make sure to plant them in a spot where they will get at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. On the other hand, make the possibility to keep your plants indoors during the hottest day for a few hours, warm temperature for a tomato plant is good but too much isn't.

3. Give Them Plenty Of Water
Tomatoes need regular watering in order to grow properly. Make sure to give them about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or from your garden hose.

4. Use A Fertilizer
Fertilizing your tomatoes will help them grow faster and healthier. Look for organic fertilizer or phosphorus-rich fertilizer that is specifically made for tomatoes, and follow the labels on potting mix bags or fertilizer bags.

5. Prune Them Regularly
Pruning your tomatoes will help them grow faster and produce more fruit. Make sure to remove any dead or damaged leaves, and pinch off the tips of the branches.

6. Harvest Them Frequently
If you harvest your tomatoes frequently, they will grow back faster. Make sure to harvest them when they are ripe, but before they start to rot.

7. Use A Trellis
Trellising your tomatoes will help them grow taller and faster. Make sure to use sturdy trellis that can support the weight of the fruit.

8. Use Plastic Mulch
Plastic mulch is a type of plastic sheeting that you can lay on top of your garden soil. It helps to keep the soil moist and warm, which will speed up the fruit growth.

9. Rotate Your Crops
Tomatoes are a part of the nightshade family, which also includes potatoes, peppers, and eggplants. If you grow tomatoes in the same spot every year, they can deplete the nutrients from the soil.

10. Try Companion Planting
Companion planting is a type of gardening where you plant two or more crops together in the same area. This can help to improve the growth of both plants. Some good companion plants for tomatoes include basil, carrots, chives, garlic, marigolds, and nasturtiums.

With these tips, you can grow delicious as well as healthy tomatoes in no time!

Frequently asked questions

How long do tomato plants live?

When cultivated outside, a tomato plant generally lives for one growing season (6-8 months) But when cared for in ideal or controlled growth conditions indoors, tomato plants may live between two and five years. Propagating good rooting cuts might also extend its life indefinitely. If you are starting tomatoes from seed then sow seeds indoors 6 weeks earlier than last spring frost date. 

Can I grow tomatoes in a pot?

Yes, you can grow tomatoes in a pot as long as it is large enough to support the plant. Make sure to use a pot with drainage holes so that the water can drain properly.

Is it better to grow tomatoes from seeds or from plants?

It is usually better to grow tomatoes from plants, as they are already acclimated to your climate and soil conditions. However, you can also grow tomatoes from seeds, but make sure to start them indoors so that they are acclimated to your climate before transplanting them outside.

What is the best way to store tomato seeds?

The best way to store tomato seeds is in a cool, dry place. Make sure to keep them away from direct sunlight, as this can damage the seeds.