Spoon tomato plants are a delightful addition to any home garden, known for their exceptionally small fruit and abundant yields. These unique plants produce charming, pea-sized tomatoes, offering gardeners a continuous harvest. Growing spoon tomatoes provides a steady supply of flavorful, bite-sized fruit throughout the season.
Understanding Spoon Tomato Plants
Spoon tomato plants (Solanum pimpinellifolium) produce some of the world’s tiniest tomatoes, comparable to currants or small peas. These miniature fruits deliver an intense, sweet, and tangy flavor with a pleasant “pop” when bitten. The plants exhibit an indeterminate growth habit, continuously producing fruit until frost. Their vigorous, sprawling nature allows a single plant to reach heights of 6 to 7 feet with a spread of about 24 inches. This variety is chosen for its high productivity and ornamental appeal, as the bright red tomatoes form attractive clusters along long trusses. They are ideal for snacking directly from the vine and popular with children. Native to Ecuador and Peru, spoon tomatoes are also hardy and resistant to some common tomato ailments.
Planting Spoon Tomato Plants
Spoon tomato plants thrive in full sunlight, requiring at least six to eight hours daily. The soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter, ideally loamy or sandy, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Avoiding heavy clay soils ensures proper root development and drainage. Begin seeds indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Sow seeds about 1/8 inch deep in a warm, moist seed-starting mix; germination typically occurs within 7 to 14 days. Once frost danger has passed and seedlings have developed at least two sets of true leaves, transplant them outdoors. Space individual plants about 24 inches apart to allow for their sprawling growth. Providing a starter fertilizer during transplanting helps minimize shock and encourages robust root growth.
Ongoing Care for Spoon Tomato Plants
Consistent moisture is important for spoon tomato plants, which need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry, preventing fungal diseases. Applying mulch around the root zone conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Fertilization every few weeks with a balanced tomato-specific fertilizer supports continuous fruit production. For seedlings, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer once they have two sets of true leaves. Avoid fertilizers excessively high in nitrogen, as this promotes leafy growth at the expense of fruit development. Due to their indeterminate and vigorous growth, spoon tomato plants benefit from support structures like stakes, cages, or trellises. These supports, which may need to be 5 to 7 feet tall, help manage the plant’s size and keep fruit off the ground. While pruning lower leaves and suckers improves air circulation and reduces disease risk, excessive pruning can reduce yields.
Harvesting and Enjoying Spoon Tomatoes
Spoon tomatoes are ready for harvest around 65 to 85 days after planting. Indicators of ripeness include a bright red, uniform color and a slight give when gently squeezed. They are easy to harvest, often in clusters by cutting the trusses from the vine. The plants are prolific, yielding hundreds of fruits throughout the season. This abundance makes them perfect for fresh eating directly from the plant or as a quick snack. Spoon tomatoes are excellent additions to salads, providing a burst of flavor and visual appeal. They can also be used in sauces, salsas, or sun-dried for a concentrated flavor.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Spoon tomato plants can encounter common issues. Yellowing leaves may indicate a nutrient deficiency, such as insufficient nitrogen, which can be addressed by consistent fertilization and proper soil pH. Blossom end rot, characterized by a blackening on the bottom of the fruit, signals a calcium deficiency linked to inconsistent watering. Maintaining even soil moisture and adding calcium supplements like crushed eggshells or gypsum helps. Common pests include aphids, managed by promoting natural predators like ladybugs, and hornworms that can be removed manually. Fungal diseases such as early blight, Septoria leaf spot, and powdery mildew are often caused by poor air circulation or wet foliage. Solutions include ensuring adequate spacing, watering at the soil level, applying mulch to reduce splashback, and removing affected leaves promptly. Crop rotation and planting disease-resistant varieties also contribute to plant health.