Gum Drop Black Tomato

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix kept at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds typically germinate within 5 to 10 days. Once seedlings have their first true leaves, thin to individual pots and provide bright light under grow lights or on a sunny window sill.

Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off for 7 to 10 days once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and all frost danger has passed. Space transplants 18 inches apart with rows 36 inches apart. Dig planting holes slightly deeper than the root ball and bury the stem up to the first true leaves; tomatoes will develop roots along the buried stem, creating a stronger plant.

Gum Drop Black Tomato cherries reach harvest readiness 70 to 79 days after transplanting, and the deep burgundy-black color is your primary visual cue for ripeness. Pick fruits when they've developed their full dark coloring and feel slightly soft to gentle pressure; they should release easily from the vine with a light twist. Once the vine begins producing, harvest regularly (every few days) to encourage continued flowering and fruiting throughout the season. You can also gently pull entire clusters of ripe fruits from the plant, which speeds up the process during peak harvest periods.

As an indeterminate variety, Gum Drop Black Tomato will grow continuously and benefit from some pruning to direct energy toward fruit production. Once plants are established, pinch off the bottom 6 to 8 inches of foliage to improve air circulation near the soil line, reducing disease risk. As the season progresses, selectively remove suckers (shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) and any diseased or yellowing foliage. About 4 to 6 weeks before your first anticipated frost, pinch off the growing tip and any flowers that won't have time to mature into harvestable fruit, allowing the plant to focus its remaining energy on ripening existing tomatoes.