The Popular Summer Fruit That's Cheaper To Grow Than Buy

There's nothing better than fresh summer produce. It isn't always the most affordable thing at the grocery store, though. That's why it's worth considering growing much of it yourself. While food prices fluctuate, some crops are almost always a better deal to grow at home than to buy. And that's certainly the case with cherry tomatoes.

Regardless of where you stand on whether tomatoes are fruits or vegetables, you can't deny that they're delicious. And currently, you can buy a packet of cherry tomato seeds for a fraction of the cost of a pound of tomatoes at the store. If you don't want to start tomatoes from seed, you can also buy young plants at most garden centers, though this will be somewhat more expensive, with a single plant often costing around the same as a pound of cherry tomatoes from the store. Just one plant can often produce over 10 pounds of fruit, which is generally more than enough to feed a family all summer, though. While you'll also need a garden or other space to grow your plant in, this is just a one-time upfront cost. And you can even grow tomatoes in affordable 5-gallon buckets if you're short on space or money. Just make sure to put holes in the bottom of the bucket first for drainage.

Tomato plants, including cherry tomatoes, are very sensitive to cold, so whether you start your plant from seed or buy one at the store, be sure to keep it inside until temperatures are consistently at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Then slowly harden your plant off by exposing it to longer and longer periods of outdoor conditions over the course of a week or two. When your tomatoes are ready to plant, find them a spot where they'll get at least six hours of direct sunlight, ideally closer to 10 hours of sunshine per day. Tomatoes also need slightly acidic soil to thrive. If you're growing in a container or bucket, be sure to use a well-draining potting mix.

Depending on the cultivar of cherry tomato you pick, your plant could range in height from under 2 feet to over 6 feet. While small plants like 'Dwarf Mocha's Cherry Tomato' may need only minimal support, if any, larger plants will need to be held upright to keep them from sprawling on the ground and becoming vulnerable to disease. Luckily, there are a wide range of ways to stake tomato plants for little to no cost. You may also want to prune your cherry tomato plant.

Make sure to water your plant deeply to encourage strong root growth. You can use the finger test to decide when the soil is thirsty. You should also fertilize with a balanced fertilizer around once a month to encourage your plant to thrive. Once your tomatoes start to turn red, they're ready to harvest and enjoy!