Tomato

Basic Information

Seed Number

212

Seed Name

Tomato

Variety

Red Cherry

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Indeterminate cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 24 – Apr 7

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 12 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

6 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

1 weeks

Germination Days

5–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

75–80 days from transplant

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

75-85°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

24-36 in

Row Spacing

36-48 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Maintain even moisture during flowering and fruiting

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

7–10+ gal with support

Plant Height

Indeterminate vine

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

Yes

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Annie's Heirloom Seeds; Royal Horticultural Society; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 20
Germination Time: About 7–14 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 65–75 days from transplant; exact strain may vary
Container Friendly: Yes, 7–10+ gal with support
Pollinator Friendly: Self-pollinating; bees may improve fruit set
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary tomato
Perennial?: Tender perennial; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: One indoor sowing is usually enough; harvest often for continued production.
Zone 6B Notes: Treat as a standard warm-season cherry tomato unless the packet gives more specific cultivar directions.
Companion Plants: Basil, carrots, onions, parsley, marigolds, nasturtiums and borage
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Exact Red Cherry strain is not stated, so growth habit and maturity can vary. Most red cherry types need a cage/stake; rotate away from other nightshades.
Sources: Annie's Heirloom Seeds: https://anniesheirloomseeds.com/products/large-red-cherry-tomato-solanum-lycopersicum-indeterminate | Royal Horticultural Society: https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/tomato-red-cherry/classid.2000051279/ | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors about 6 weeks before May 5 and transplant after frost when nights are reliably warm.
Germination: Warm seed-starting conditions around 75-85°F promote rapid germination.
Harvest: Harvest when cherry-sized fruits are fully red and detach easily.
Seed Saving: Ferment seed from fully ripe fruit, rinse and dry thoroughly before storage.
Special Care: The packet name 'Red Cherry' does not establish whether this is Small Red Cherry or Large Red Cherry. Maturity is therefore based on commonly documented red cherry heirloom types rather than a more specific strain.
Research Source: True Leaf Market — https://trueleafmarket.com/products/tomato-seeds-red-cherry-small — Small Red Cherry tomato identity, approximately 75-day maturity and transplant spacing
Research Source: San Diego Seed Company — https://sandiegoseedcompany.com/product/vegetables/tomatoes/organic-large-red-cherry-tomato-seeds/ — Large Red Cherry tomato culture and 5-6 week indoor seed start
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]