Baxter's Early Bush Tomato

Start seeds indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds approximately 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix, keep soil warm and moist, and provide bright light once seedlings emerge. Seedlings are ready to transplant when they develop their first true leaves.

Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days before moving them outdoors. Transplant into the garden after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60°F, spacing plants 24 inches apart with 36 inches between rows. Bury the transplant deeper than it was growing in the pot; tomatoes root along buried stems, strengthening the plant.

Pick tomatoes when they reach full color and yield slightly to gentle pressure, typically 70-79 days after transplanting. Cherry tomatoes at 2 ounces are fully ripe when deeply colored and aromatic. Harvest regularly to encourage continued fruit production throughout the season, and pick tomatoes in the morning when they're coolest for the best flavor and texture.

As a determinate variety, Baxter's Early Bush Tomato naturally stops growing at a predetermined height and sets most fruit within a concentrated window, so it requires minimal pruning compared to indeterminate types. Remove only the lowest leaves once the plant is established to improve air circulation and reduce disease risk, and pinch off any suckers that emerge between the main stem and branches if you want to channel energy into larger fruit clusters.