VegetableTomato
Chadwick Cherry Tomato
Chadwick Cherry Tomato stands as a living testament to the organic gardening movement, developed by renowned horticulturist Alan Chadwick in 1960s California. This beloved heirloom produces abundant clusters of bright red, 1-2 ounce cherry tomatoes with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Growing 3-8 feet tall on vigorous indeterminate vines, it thrives across zones 2-11 and delivers its first harvest in 70-79 days, continuing to fruit throughout the warm season.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
96 in
Height
TypeIndeterminate
Spacing
24
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
96in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Chadwick Cherry apart is its remarkable disease resistance, naturally protecting against seven major tomato ailments including Late Blight and Fusarium Wilt. These larger cherry tomatoes offer exceptional crack resistance and uniform bright red color, making them as reliable as they are delicious. The variety's generous yields and extended harvest season have made it a favorite among organic gardeners seeking both flavor and dependability in their homegrown tomatoes.
Common Uses
These flavorful cherry tomatoes excel in fresh applications where their sweet-tangy balance truly shines. Perfect for snacking straight from the vine, they add vibrant color and rich flavor to salads and garden-to-table recipes. Their larger size among cherry varieties and crack-resistant skin make them ideal for preserving their shape in dishes, while their balanced acidity creates excellent sauces and preserves.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 7-9 weeks before the last spring frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in well-draining, slightly acidic seed starting mix. Maintain germination temperature between 65-85°F and provide full sun or adequate grow lights for healthy seedling development.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and when they have developed two sets of true leaves. Space plants 24-36 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart, ensuring they receive full sun exposure in well-draining, organic-rich soil.
Harvesting
Harvest when tomatoes reach bright red color and are firm to the touch, typically 70-79 days after transplanting. Look for uniform coloration and full 1-2 ounce size. Gently twist ripe tomatoes from the vine or use clean pruning shears to cut the stem, leaving a small portion attached. Since this is a late-ripening indeterminate variety, be patient and wait for full maturity to enjoy the best sweet-tangy flavor. Regular harvesting encourages continued fruit production throughout the growing season.
Pruning
As an indeterminate variety, regularly prune suckers (shoots growing between main stem and branches) to improve airflow and concentrate energy into fruit production. Remove lower leaves to prevent soil contact and enhance air circulation, which helps reduce disease pressure and promotes healthier growth.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Solanum lycopersicum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Growth Habit
Indeterminate
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“The Chadwick Cherry Tomato carries the legacy of Alan Chadwick, the British horticulturist who became a pioneer of the organic farming movement in America. During the 1960s, while founding the UC Santa Cruz Garden Project in California, Chadwick developed this exceptional variety as part of his dedication to preserving heirloom plants and advancing biodynamic farming practices. His innovative organic gardening methods and educational approach helped shape sustainable agriculture, and this tomato variety embodies those principles of chemical-free cultivation and exceptional flavor. The Chadwick Cherry has since become a symbol of the broader movement toward healthier, more environmentally friendly food production, allowing modern gardeners to participate in a piece of agricultural history that emphasizes organic and sustainable methods.”