Solanum lycopersicum 'Tiny Tim'
vegetableTiny Tim is a dwarf determinate cherry tomato bred for containers and tight spaces, forming a tidy, self-supporting bush only 12 to 18 inches tall. It crops very early, about 45 to 55 days from transplant, ripening clusters of half-inch red cherry tomatoes in a short window on a compact plant. It is ideal for balconies, windowsills, and small pots where full-size vines will not fit.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~55 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
12-18 in. apart
Planting Depth
1/4 in. (seed) or deep-planted transplant
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 lightly every few weeks once fruiting begins
Fertilizer
Balanced 5-10-10
Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and move plants outdoors after frost once nights stay above 55F, or grow it indoors on a sunny windowsill. A 2-gallon or larger pot of rich, well-drained mix suits it well, and it needs no staking. Give full sun and steady water, and feed lightly since the plant is small. Because it is determinate, most of the crop ripens within a couple of weeks.
Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Jun 23
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
Inspect leaves weekly and handpick; attract parasitic wasps with nearby herbs
Rinse off colonies and encourage ladybugs and lacewings
Use yellow sticky traps and avoid heavy nitrogen feeding
Pick when fully red and slightly soft. A determinate dwarf like Tiny Tim ripens most of its crop within a couple of weeks, so harvest often and consider a second sowing for a longer supply.
Tomatoes are low in calories and a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin A, and they are a leading source of lycopene, the red antioxidant linked to heart health. Tiny Tim makes fresh cherry tomatoes possible in the smallest spaces.
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.