How long do tomato plants take to produce fruit

We’re sometimes asked how long it takes to grow tomatoes. It’s a good question, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to answer it here. With a Click & Grow smart garden, you can produce a mini tomato harvest starting from 98 days after planting.

In this article we’ll look at some key things to remember when growing tomatoes indoors and outdoors.

Growing tomatoes in a smart indoor garden

If this is your first time growing Click & Grow mini tomatoes, here’s a quick timeline of what to expect at each growth stage. A Click & Grow mini tomato plant pod contains pre-gardened tomato seeds. The optimum indoor room temperature for growing mini tomatoes is 68°F – 95°F.

7 - 21 days: When sprouts appear, thin your tomato seedlings to one per pod. This will help your plant get the space, light and nutrients it needs.

22 - 39 days: Stake tomato plants when they’re young. It will help them grow upright and bear the weight of their fruit later on.

40 - 60 days: You’ll start to notice yellow flowers on your plant. Be sure to pollinate them by shaking the plant to mimic a bee. Alternatively, use your index finger or a small brush to transfer pollen from one blossom to another.

61 - 72 days: Don’t be alarmed if you notice yellow petals falling off. Not every flower produces fruit but you’ll be rewarded with some delicious tomatoes later on.

73 - 89 days: Around this time your plant will produce tomatoes that look green. They won’t turn red until they reach maturity.

90 - 110 days: Your plant will start to produce beautiful ripe tomatoes. Once they’re red, they’re ready to eat, although the taste becomes even sweeter if you let them continue to grow for another 1-2 weeks.

Enjoy every bite knowing your Click and Grow Mini tomatoes have 2.5 times more antioxidative activity and 2 times more lycopene than any other type of tomato! 

For more plant tips, be sure to download the Click & Grow mobile app. Simply register your smart garden and plant on the app and we’ll send you tips to guide you through each stage of your plant’s life cycle.

Growing tomatoes outdoors

Growing tomatoes outdoors is a little more complicated and there are a few things to keep in mind. After transplanting young plants to their final growing spot, it usually takes anywhere from 60 days to more than 100 days before you can harvest your tomatoes.

Before growing varieties of tomatoes outside, the first thing to do is make sure you live in a tomato-friendly climate. Tomatoes grow best when the temperature is between 65°F and 85°F during the day. They stop growing if the temperature reaches above 95°F. If you live somewhere with a short growing season, it may be worth starting your plants indoors and transplanting them when the weather warms up.

Click & Grow smart gardens (particularly the Smart Garden 9), are suitable for pre-growing tomato seedlings indoors. You can then plant them outdoors when they’re ready to move out. We offer experimental pods which enable you to do just that. For instance, you can pre-grow tomatoes in your indoor garden during spring and later plant them in a greenhouse once it’s warm enough.

Two of the most popular tomatoes to grow are globe tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. Globe tomatoes are the most common type of tomato - deep red and full sized. Cherry tomatoes are their miniature, bite-sized counterparts.

When researching which tomatoes to plant, it’s also worth noting the difference between determinate tomatoes and indeterminate tomatoes. Determinate tomato plants stop growing at a certain height, whereas indeterminate varieties continue to grow and produce tomatoes throughout the growing season.

Tomato plants are usually started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date for your area. Transplant them outdoors when the soil reaches about 60°F.

Tomatoes require soil that’s well drained and rich in nutrients. The best tomatoes are still grown in traditional ways by people who understand what they're doing, so if you're trying this for the first time, don’t be shy to ask around and see if there are some experienced vegetable gardeners who will mentor you. 

Here are some quick tips for getting started:

• Choose a spot where tomatoes will get at least 8 hours of sun every day.

• Prepare the soil by digging it up, removing rocks, weeds and roots and adding compost to it. Add organic fertilizer too if you want to increase the yield of your tomato plants.

• Spread the seeds out on top of the soil, about 1 inch apart from each corner to corner.

• Water your seeds every day until they sprout.

• Watch as your tomato seedlings grow up from the ground. 

Nutrition

Did you know that tomatoes are made up of about 95% water? They’re undeniably low in carbs. The bulk of their carbohydrates are made up of simple sugars and insoluble fibers. 

Tomatoes are also a great source of dietary fiber. An average sized tomato provides you with 1.5 grams of fiber. In addition to that, tomatoes are natural sources of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and folate.

Studies suggest that tomatoes may improve heart health. An example of this is how tomato products can fight inflammation and signs of oxidative stress. There’s also research that suggests tomatoes promote skin health. For instance, tomato-based foods that are rich in lycopene may protect against sunburn.

Growing tomatoes is a rewarding way to add fresh produce to your diet. Have fun growing them! For further reading, check out our blog post:

5 Easy, Delicious Ways to Use Click and Grow Tomatoes

Fully automated indoor gardens that grow plant pods for you while making sure they have enough water, light, oxygen and nutrients.

Are you a beginner growing tomatoes and wondering “how long do tomato plants produce a crop for?”

Tomatoes are one of the most popular fruits that are grown and consumed all over the world. They are also one of the most well-known vegetables, as both a raw and cooked treat! Tomato plants are very sensitive to both too little water and too much. Too little water can lead to the wilting and eventual death of the plant. Overly abundant water can lead to rot and rot can spread to other parts of the plant.

In this article, we will answer your question “how long do tomato plants produce fruit for?”  and take a look at some of the different types of tomato plants.

How Long Do Tomato Plants Produce Fruit For?

The answer to this question depends on several factors including:

• Determinate tomatoes: These are bred to produce a plant, then produce flowers, and then die. So they will typically have a two or three-month cycle with the last month or so being the harvest month.
• Indeterminate tomatoes: These are more sprawling plants that keep growing new vines, and flowering and fruiting. I have had these plants produce for five or six months sometimes and take over the whole garden. They can be a pain in the neck. You will actually get sick of tomatoes.
• The growing conditions: You may have an indeterminate tomato that has sprawled everywhere – but if it gets too cold it will stop producing fruit and die.
• The amount of water provided.  Tomatoes require a lot of water. Too little water and the plant will grow slowly and may not produce as much fruit. However, if you over-water a tomato it becomes disease prone, so I always tend to aim for a moist compost-rich soil – that is not soggy. If you overwater a tomato and it gets fungal issues, it will lose all its leaves and stop producing fruit.
• Fertilization. Most gardeners use a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. These nutrients help the plant grow and also make the fruit taste better. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and if they are confined to a pot, they can deplete the nutrients causing an end to fruiting.
• Weeds. Weeds compete with plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. They can also take away from the appearance of the plants. To prevent weeds, make sure you cover the seeds and the soil after planting. In addition, use a mulch to keep the soil moist.
• Diseases. Grow heirloom varieties and keep the seeds from the end of each season for planting the next year. With time your longest surviving tomatoes are the most disease resistant and you will end up with locally adapted plants .
  

Types Of Tomato Plants

There are many different types of tomato plants out there, but not all of them are suitable for every garden. You need to know which one you want to grow before you start planting your seeds. There are different varieties of tomato plants that are suitable for different conditions.

Roma tomatoes

These are some of the most popular types of tomatoes for home gardeners.  They are available in a wide variety of colors but the oblong shape is what I like. The fruit is not too juicy but has a good taste and stores well in the fridge. The plants can grow up to 10 feet tall and produce a large amount of fruit. The plants are easy to grow and require only minimal care. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. It is important to fertilize the plant regularly.

Slicing tomatoes

This is a large tomato that is usually used to make ketchup or sauce. The plant produces large tomatoes, which can weigh up to 3 pounds. This type of plant grows quickly and produces a large yield of fruits in less than 100 days. Cultivars such as the appropriately named Hentz are good examples.

Grower tomatoes

Growers are small tomatoes that are bred for growing indoors. They are usually cherry tomatoes with a round shape and a dark red color. The best thing about these types of tomatoes is that they are very easy to grow. Most people have grown these tomatoes at home in their garden, and they produce large, delicious fruits. They can become a pest and take over your garden.

Upside Down Tomato Planter, 2- Pack

How To Harvest Tomatoes

There are several ways to harvest tomatoes.

1. The first is to cut them off the plant.

This is the easiest way to harvest tomatoes. When the plant is large enough, it should be supported by a stake or trellis. Cut the stem just above the last leaf and gently pull the plant from the ground. You can then take the whole vine and hang it indoors and the fruit will ripen slowly over a period of a few weeks. We used to do this going into winter.

2. The second method is to wait until the fruit is ripe.

The fruit will turn red and the stems will become woody. Pick the tomatoes when they are fully red. They taste best like this. Vine-ripened tomatoes taste better. I can see no point in actually growing tomatoes and not vine ripening – if you want bland tomatoes buy them from the shop!

Harvest your tomatoes when they’re red.  Some people leave the fruit on the plant to ripen further, while others pick them right away. You may need bird nets.

How To Store Tomatoes

Tomatoes are best stored at room temperature, not in the refrigerator. If you want to store them longer, place them in a paper bag or container to absorb some of the moisture.

Keep your tomatoes in a cool, dark place and they will be fine for weeks or months.  The two most important things to know about storing tomatoes are how long you can expect them to last, and how to tell if they are past their prime.

Read more about Is Cow Manure Good For Tomatoes? 

Final Thoughts On How Long Do Tomato Plants Produce

How long tomato plants produce fruits depends on the type of tomato you are growing and the growing conditions provided. Choose various cultivars and find out which mix gives you the volume and taste of tomatoes that makes you happy! For me, cherry tomatoes, Roma and a few others make a mixed bag that keeps me healthy for half the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tomato plants generally stop producing fruit after the first frost.

A large beefsteak plant will yield between 2 and 3 pounds of tomatoes per plant. However if you know what you are doing you can exceed this by a factor of ten.

Yes, the tomato plant will die once harvesting is completed in most cases. You need to replant them each year.

Tomato plants die during the fall and winter months when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.