Solanum lycopersicum 'Sungold'
vegetableSungold is a beloved hybrid cherry tomato bearing long trusses of small, golden-orange fruit with an intensely sweet, fruity, almost tropical flavor that ranks among the sweetest of all tomatoes. The vigorous indeterminate vines bear early, in about 57 to 65 days, and produce prolifically right up to frost.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~57 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
24-36 in. apart
Planting Depth
1/4 in.
Soil pH
6.0-6.8
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At transplant, then every 3-4 weeks at fruit set
Fertilizer
Balanced 5-10-10, low nitrogen
Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant after the soil warms past 60F and nights stay above 55F, setting plants deep. Give full sun, fertile soil, and a tall, strong support, as the vines grow very long and heavy. Keep moisture steady, since Sungold is somewhat prone to cracking, and pick promptly after rain.
Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Jun 25
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Keep watering steady and pick promptly when ripe
Draw in parasitic wasps with dill and borage; handpick at dusk
Encourage ladybugs and lacewings with nearby flowers; rinse colonies off
Pick when the fruit turns deep golden-orange and is just slightly soft, sampling as you go since the flavor is sweetest dead ripe. Harvest every day or two, because ripe Sungolds crack and drop quickly if left on the vine.
Like all tomatoes, Sungold is low in calories and rich in vitamin C and potassium, and its golden-orange color comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant the body converts to vitamin A.
Eat the ripe fruit only. Tomato leaves and stems (and large amounts of very unripe green fruit) contain solanine-type compounds and are not for eating.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.