Sugar Fairy Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Keep soil temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination. Move seedlings to a bright, sunny window or grow lights once they emerge, and maintain temperatures around 65 to 70 degrees during the day. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before transplanting.

Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally 65 to 70 degrees. Space plants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows. Bury the stem deeper than it grew in its pot; tomatoes will form roots along buried stem tissue, creating a stronger plant. Water thoroughly at planting.

Harvest Sugar Fairy tomatoes when they reach full bright red color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. In most climates, expect the main harvest window to arrive around 100 to 109 days after transplanting. Tomatoes stop ripening once picked, so wait until they're fully colored on the vine for maximum sweetness. Harvest regularly to encourage continued fruit set throughout the season, and pick before the first frost in fall.

As a determinate variety, Sugar Fairy requires minimal pruning compared to indeterminate types. Remove only the lowest leaves once the plant is established to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. Light removal of suckers (shoots that form between the main stem and branches) can help direct energy into fruit production, but avoid aggressive pruning that would remove too much foliage and expose ripening fruit to sunscald.