Introduction
There is a sweet and tangy cherry tomato variety called Sungold. They are small, golden orange fruits with a rich flavor. Many gardeners love them for their fast growth and heavy yield. You can eat these tomatoes fresh, in salads, as snacks, or as a snack.
If you love gardening, sungold tomatoes are a must try. They grow quickly and reward you with clusters of juicy fruitsYou’ll want to grow them year round once you taste them. Their unique flavor makes them a favorite among tomato lovers.
Sungold tomato plants need full sunlight and regular watering. Plant them in well drained soil with added compost. As the vines grow, stake them or cage them. With proper care, you can enjoy fresh and tasty sungold tomato plant from your garden.
How to Plant Sungold Tomato Plant
When to Plant
When frost is no longer a threat, plant sungold tomato plant in the spring. Start seeds indoors about four weeks before the last expected frost in your area. Transplant them outside when seedlings reach at least 6 inches tall.
Selecting a Planting Site
Choose a sunny location with loamy, nutrient rich, and well draining soil. Rotate crops each year to prevent disease and avoid depleting nutrients. Sungold tomatoes also grow well in containers placed in full sun.
Important Tip
Avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot where nightshade plants like potatoes, eggplants, or peppers grew the previous year. This reduces the risk of soil borne diseases.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Space sungold tomato plants at least 4 feet apart to allow air circulation and room for supports. Use cages or stakes to hold the long vines and keep fruit off the ground. Place the seedling at the same depth as the container, digging a hole twice the size of its root ball. If using a peat pot, bury it completely below the soil to prevent it from drying out the surrounding soil.
Sungold Tomato Plant Care
Light
Give sungold tomatoes at least 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight daily. Without enough light, the plants grow slower and produce fewer fruits. Place container plants in the brightest spot possible to maximize yield.
Soil
Plant sungold tomatoes in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Use well drained, loamy, and nutrient rich soil for best results. Test the soil before planting to check pH and nutrient levels. For containers, always use high quality organic potting mix instead of garden soil, which is too heavy and can restrict root growth.
Water
Water sungold tomatoes deeply and consistently. Provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week, adjusting during hot or dry periods. Check moisture by inserting your finger 2 inches into the soil if dry, water immediately. Maintain an even moisture level in the soil to prevent blossom end rot. Always water at the base to protect leaves from fungal diseases, and mulch around plants to lock in moisture. Avoid overwatering, as it can cause root rot and cracked tomatoes.
Temperature and Humidity
Plant sungold tomatoes only when soil temperatures reach 60°F or higher. Harden off seedlings by slowly introducing them to outdoor conditions before planting. These tomatoes tolerate normal humidity, but prolonged wet conditions increase the risk of fungal diseases. Ensure good airflow around plants to reduce dampness and protect foliage.
Fertilizer
Prepare the soil with a balanced fertilizer, such as 10,10,10 N,P,K, at 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet. Avoid excess nitrogen, which causes leafy growth but delays flowers and fruits. Boost root development by applying a diluted starter fertilizer rich in phosphorus when planting. For container grown plants, feed them every two to four weeks with a half strength water soluble fertilizer to keep nutrients steady.
Pollination
Bees and butterflies are important pollinators for Sungold tomatoes, because they are self pollinating. Gently shaking the blossoms can also help transfer pollen if pollinators are scarce. Strong air circulation around plants further improves pollination and fruit set.
Types of Sungold Tomatoes
- Sungold: Sweet, golden orange, thin skin.
- SunSugar: Similar, sweeter, thicker skin, less prone to cracking.
Harvesting Sungold Tomatoes
Pick sungold tomatoes one by one from the vine. Harvest when the fruits turn bright yellow for a tangy taste. Leave them longer to ripen into a deep golden color for a sweeter flavor. Handle the vines gently to avoid damage. Keep harvesting regularly to encourage more fruit production.
Grow Sungold Tomatoes in Pots
You can grow sungold tomatoes in containers if you lack garden space.
- Plant in a large pot (at least 5 gallons) with drainage holes.
- Add a trellis or tomato cage early to support vines.
- Use high quality potting soil, not garden soil.
- Water regularly, about 1 to 2 gallons per day, since pots dry out quickly.
- Avoid repotting once the plant is established, except when moving seedlings into their final container.
Prune Sungold Tomatoes
Pruning keeps sungold tomatoes healthy and productive. Use clean garden snips to remove suckers that grow between the main stem and leaf clusters. Cut off any stems touching the ground to prevent disease. It is best to remove extra foliage so that the plant can concentrate on fruit bearing stems.
Propagate Sungold Tomatoes
You can clone sungold tomatoes from healthy cuttings. Choose a 6 to 8 inch sucker without buds or flowers and cut it cleanly with sterile pruners. Remove the lower leaves and plant the cutting in a moist, soilless potting mix. Place the pot in bright, indirect light and water lightly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
After 1to 2 weeks, check for roots by gently tugging on the cutting. If it resists, roots have formed. Once the new plant is established, transplant it into the garden or move it to a larger container to continue growing.
Grow Sungold Tomatoes from Seed
Start sungold seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost.
- Prepare seed trays with a damp seed starting mix.
- Place one seed per cell about 1/8 inch deep.
- Cover trays and place them on a heating mat in a sunny window.
- Mist daily to keep soil moist.
- Expect germination in 5 to 10 days.
- Remove cover once seedlings touch the dome.
- Move seedlings into pots once they grow 5 to 6 inches tall.
- Harden off plants outdoors once night temps stay above 50°F.
- After 10 days of hardening, move them into the garden.
Overwintering
Sungold tomatoes are annuals and cannot survive the winter. Harvest the last fruits before the first frost, then remove and discard the old vines to keep the garden clean and healthy.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Sungold tomatoes are naturally resistant to some major problems like verticillium wilt (V), fusarium wilt (F), and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). However, they can still face challenges from pests and other stress factors. Tomato hornworms are one of the most damaging pests, feeding heavily on leaves and stems. To reduce problems, give plants plenty of space, provide strong support to keep vines off the ground, and always water at the base of the plant.
Aphids are another common issue. While a few aphids usually cause no harm, large infestations can stunt growth and reduce fruit production. These tiny insects can appear in green, red, white, or black colors. Signs of infestation include curled, yellowing leaves and smaller harvests. You can control them by spraying plants with water, or by using companion plants like marigolds, onions, and garlic. Use insecticidal sprays if natural methods don’t work.
Quick Pest & Disease Guide
| Problem | Signs & Symptoms | Control Methods |
| Tomato Hornworms | Large green caterpillars, chewed leaves | Handpick caterpillars, introduce natural predators, use row covers |
| Aphids | Curled yellow leaves, reduced fruit | Spray with water, companion planting (marigold, garlic, onion), insecticidal soap |
| Fungal Diseases | Spots on leaves, wilting, poor growth | Rotate crops, keep leaves dry, water at soil level, ensure good air circulation |
| Root Rot | Yellowing leaves, wilting, mushy roots | Avoid overwatering, improve soil drainage |
Conclusion
Sungold tomatoes are easy and rewarding to grow, offering sweet golden fruits and resistance to many diseases. With full sun, rich soil, regular watering, and proper support, they produce a steady harvest. Simple care like pruning, mulching, and pest control keeps plants healthy, making Sungolds a flavorful and beautiful addition to any garden.
FAQs
1. Are Sungold tomatoes easy to grow?
Yes, they are easy to grow because they resist many common tomato diseases and thrive with basic care.
2. How tall do Sungold tomato plants grow?
They can grow 6 to 10 feet tall and need cages or stakes for support.
3. Do Sungold tomatoes grow well in pots?
Yes, they grow well in large containers (at least 5 gallons) with good soil and regular watering.
4. When should I harvest Sungold tomatoes?
Harvest when fruits turn bright yellow for a tangy taste or deep golden for a sweeter flavor.
5. Are Sungold tomato leaves toxic?
Yes, the leaves and stems are toxic to humans and pets, but the fruits are safe to eat.
