Photo: "No cracking on Matt's Wild Cherry, but all the other bigger tomatoes are cracked from the heavy rains that followed the dry period" by karen_hine · Public Domain Mark

Tomato · Wild-cherry

Matt's Wild Cherry tomatoes

Indeterminate · Solanaceae

Matt's Wild Cherry is a tiny currant-style heirloom that behaves more like a vigorous modern hybrid than a finicky old tomato. The plants are extremely prolific, crack-resistant by heirloom standards, and notably tolerant of common foliar disease pressure. It suits beginners who want a forgiving, snackable tomato and do not mind a sprawling, very productive vine.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

55–80 days

Sun

8+ hours

full sun 8-10 hours

Spacing

24–36 "

Seed Start

6–8 weeks

before transplant

Container

Yes

7+ gallon pot

Height

5–7 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–10 days

Optimal Temp 80°F

Seed Depth 0.25"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 60°F

Harden Off 7 days

Watering

Weekly Water 1.5–2 "

Needs Consistent

Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6.2–6.8

Soil Type Deep, fertile, well-drained loam or rich raised-bed soil with strong organic matter content.

Support Cage — Use a big cage or panel; vines branch relentlessly and keep climbing.

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: Moderate

Common Problems

fruit-cracking

Cause: Rain or heavy watering after a dry period swells fruit faster than the skin can stretch.

Prevention: Keep moisture even and harvest promptly once fruit colors.

early-blight

Cause: Warm, humid weather and soil splash spread foliar disease.

Prevention: Mulch, prune lower leaves, rotate plantings, and improve airflow.

blossom-end-rot

Cause: Calcium uptake fails when moisture is inconsistent or roots are stressed.

Prevention: Water evenly and avoid overloading young container plants with fruit.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Moderate feeder

Calcium Critical — supplement recommended

Recommended Recipes Root drench, Silica foliar, Worm castings topdress

Harvest

Fruit reaches full mature color and gives slightly under gentle pressure; large heirlooms often ripen from the blossom end upward.

Expected Yield 8–20 lbs/plant

Storage 7 days — Store at cool room temperature until fully ripe; refrigerate only when very ripe and use quickly.

Sources

seed_catalog Grow Organic seed_catalog Bhoomi Devi Seeds university Utah State University Extension

More Tomatos

Matt's Wild Cherry tomatoes Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Matt's Wild Cherry tomatoes vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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