TheNaturePlanet

Is it feasible to plant Golden Sun cherry tomato seedlings in May?

Golden Sun cherry tomato is a hybrid cherry tomato variety that has gained popularity in recent years. The fruits it produces are a beautiful golden yellow, round and plump, with a single fruit weight of approximately 15-20 grams. They taste sweet and sour, juicy, and have a fresh and sweet flavor. Additionally, they have high yield and strong disease resistance, making them particularly suitable for home vegetable gardens and small-scale cultivation. Growing them allows people not only to harvest delicious fruits but also to feel extra joy when seeing the golden fruits hanging on the branches.

The most concerning question is whether seedlings can be planted in May, which actually mainly depends on three conditions. Golden Sun cherry tomato seedlings prefer a warm environment and grow fastest when the daytime temperature is 20-25°C and the nighttime temperature is 15-18°C. They should only be planted after the soil has completely thawed and the temperature has stabilized. In southern regions of China, such as Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, the temperature in May is already very warm, with daytime temperatures generally around 25°C and nighttime temperatures above 18°C. Since the frost period has long passed, seedlings can be directly planted in small courtyards or flower pots on balconies. When planted at this time, they will bloom in June, and the first batch of fruits can be harvested in July.

However, in northern regions, such as Shandong, Hebei, and Northeast China, the morning and evening temperatures in early May may still be cool. Especially in Northeast China, there may occasionally be light frost, so it is not advisable to plant them outdoors immediately. You can put a plastic bag over the flower pot as a "mini greenhouse," or wait until the middle to late May when the daytime temperature remains above 20°C for several consecutive days and the nighttime temperature does not drop below 12°C before planting. This way, the seedlings are less likely to be damaged by cold.

After discussing whether planting in May is feasible, let's talk about the best planting time, which actually varies by region, so you can remember it according to your geographical area. In warm regions such as South China and Southwest China, like Guangdong and Yunnan, seedlings can be started on balconies in February-March, and then directly transplanted into flower pots or small courtyards in April-May. Another crop can be planted in September in autumn, allowing two seasons of fruit harvest in a year.

In the Yangtze River Basin, including Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and other places, seedlings can be started in March by filling disposable cups with soil on balconies. From late April to early May, when the temperature stabilizes, they can be moved outdoors. If mulch film is used, planting can be advanced by 10 days, and the seedlings will grow faster.

In North China, such as Beijing, Shandong, and Henan, seedlings should be started in seedling trays at home in early April. After May 10th, after the "late spring cold" has passed and the daytime temperature stabilizes above 15°C, they can be transplanted. When planting outdoors, choose a sunny location to ensure the seedlings receive 6 hours of sunlight per day.

For families in Northeast and Northwest China, seedlings should be started in late April, and planting should be done after May 25th, which is 10 days after the last local frost. They can be planted in foam boxes for easy movement and warmth retention. Before the early autumn frost, they can be moved into the balcony, allowing for an additional half a month of fruit bearing.

In general, growing Golden Sun cherry tomatoes at home is quite hassle-free. Whether seedlings can be planted in May mainly depends on the temperature. In warm southern regions, they can be directly planted outdoors, while in northern regions, planting should wait until the temperature stabilizes. Before planting, remember to harden the seedlings, prepare fertile soil, and pay attention to the planting depth and watering. Ensure plenty of sunlight, proper watering, sun protection, and pollination, and you can harvest an abundance of golden cherry tomatoes in summer!

Friends with small courtyards or balconies, hurry up and plant a few seedlings in May, and you can achieve "cherry tomato freedom" during the summer vacation, enjoying fresh and safe fruits picked right from the plant!