Recently, when I went to the supermarket to buy some fruit, I noticed that cherry tomatoes have become more expensive!

But aren’t cherry tomatoes easy to grow? Why the price hike? Do they think people without land or gardens can’t grow their own?

Even if we live in regular apartments, we still have balconies and windowsills. With just a small pot, we can easily grow cherry tomatoes.

Today, I’m going to share a detailed guide on how to grow cherry tomatoes, so those who haven’t tried it yet can experience the joy of homegrown produce!

---

Cherry Tomatoes – Easy to Grow All Year Round

Cherry tomatoes can be grown in any season and are quite easy to take care of.

If you think about it, aside from the fact that they can’t be harvested continuously, there really aren’t any major difficulties in growing them.

Tasks like manual pollination or setting up a support frame are just minor efforts, right?

Two Key Points to Know When Growing Cherry Tomatoes:

1. Cherry tomatoes only produce fruit after flowering, and the same branch will not bear fruit again once harvested.
2. After picking all the fruits, remove the old plant, cut it into small pieces, and bury it in the soil. In about 8 months, it will decompose into rich organic fertilizer for the next crop.

---

The Joy of Growing Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are not just delicious but also visually appealing. The plant, flowers, and fruit all look just as beautiful as other potted plants.

If you start growing from seeds, you will experience the excitement of watching your plants grow and produce fruit.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Cherry tomato seeds
• Planting containers (such as cookie tins, plastic foam boxes, etc.)
• High-quality soil
• Small stones or weathered soil
• Awl or drill for making holes
• Watering can, spray bottle
• Newspaper

---

How to Sow Cherry Tomato Seeds

1. Prepare the planting container:

   • Poke several drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
   • If using a metal container, apply a coat of clear varnish to prevent rust.

2. Prepare the soil:

   • Place a layer of small stones or weathered soil at the bottom.
   • Fill the container with soil up to 2/3 full and moisten it with water.

3. Plant the seeds:

   • Use your finger to make 3-4 small holes in the soil. Drop 1-2 seeds into each hole.
   • Cover the seeds lightly with soil and mist with water.

4. Protect the seeds:

   • Cover the soil with a newspaper to retain moisture and keep the seeds in the dark.
   • Lightly mist the newspaper with water to maintain humidity.

---

Cherry Tomato Growth Stages

1. Germination:

   • The seeds will sprout in about a week, and after 15 days, true leaves will appear.
   • If two seedlings grow too close together, remove the weaker one.

2. Leaf Growth:

   • When the true leaves appear, they will have a strong tomato fragrance if you rub them.
   • Once the plant has 3-4 true leaves, apply diluted liquid fertilizer or organic fertilizer every two weeks.

3. Transplanting (if needed):

   • If the container is too small, move the plant to a bigger pot.
   • Set up a support frame and loosely tie the stems to prevent them from drooping.

4. Flowering Stage:

   • When the plant reaches about 30cm, it will start producing yellow flowers.
   • Create a sturdier support frame using disposable chopsticks arranged in a pyramid shape.

5. Pollination:

   • Gently tap the flowers with your fingers or a soft brush to help with pollination.

6. Fruit Formation:

   • Once the flowers fade, small green tomatoes will begin to form.

7. Pruning:

   • If too many flowers appear, trim the top branches to focus nutrients on fruit development.

8. Harvest Time:

   • The fruit will gradually turn red and plump—ready to be picked and enjoyed!

---

Tips for Maximizing Cherry Tomato Yield

If your plant is growing tall but not producing flowers or fruit, the possible reasons include:

1. Failure to remove excess side shoots.
2. Lack of nutrients or insufficient sunlight during flowering.
3. Sudden exposure to cold winds.

If none of the above issues apply but the plant still isn’t bearing fruit, it may be lacking calcium. In this case, buy some liquid calcium fertilizer to boost fruit production.

---

Important Tips for Growing Cherry Tomatoes

1. Cherry tomato seeds prefer darkness for faster germination, so keep them out of direct sunlight initially.
2. Even when grown in pots, cherry tomato plants can exceed 1 meter in height, so a sturdy support structure is necessary.
3. If the plant produces many flowers, trim the top branches to redirect nutrients to the fruit.
4. Avoid overwatering. Keeping the soil slightly dry enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes.
5. As the plant matures, some leaves may turn yellow or wither—simply remove them.
6. You can grow tomatoes from seedlings, but starting from seeds is more fun and rewarding.
7. Since balconies have wind, manual pollination may not be necessary, but gently tapping the flowers can still improve fruit yield.

---

A Fun Family Gardening Activity

Even when the plant is still young, you can already smell the fresh tomato scent when you rub its leaves. Since cherry tomatoes can be grown all year round, you can involve your children in the planting process anytime.

Start growing cherry tomatoes today by saving this guide! Observing each stage of plant growth will help you appreciate nature and the rewards of your efforts.

Every time I share balcony gardening tips, my goal is to provide practical knowledge for everyone. If you have any questions about growing cherry tomatoes, leave a comment below!

Love this article? Share it with your friends and follow me for more helpful gardening tips! 🌱🍅