You’re not the only one whose tomato plants have bloomed earlier than expected this year. A lot of gardeners have tomatoes that flower before they’re ready, and they don’t know why or what to do about it.
In this article, we’ll explore the main causes of early flowering in tomato plants and provide some tips to avoid it in the future. We’ll also look at whether you should pinch off early flowers or just leave them be.
Why Are My Tomato Plants Flowering So Soon?
There are a few key reasons why tomato plants may start flowering too early in the growing season
Age of Transplants
If you bought tomato transplants from a nursery or garden center, they may have been older than you realized. Tomato seeds are usually started 4-6 weeks before being sold as bedding plants. So transplants that are 2 months old may flower sooner than expected Always inspect plants before purchasing and avoid those with flowers already
Variety/Maturity Date
Some tomato types, especially determinate types, flower earlier and bigger than others. For example, compact determinate tomatoes can only get to a certain size before they flower. Early varieties like Early Girl can flower in just 7 to 8 weeks after being transplanted.
Indoor Growing Conditions
If you start tomatoes indoors too early, they may flower before they’re ready. If you start tomatoes more than 8 weeks before you move them, they might grow too big for their pots and bloom. The warmth and light levels indoors can encourage faster growth.
High Temperatures
Warm weather tends to speed up growth and development in tomato plants. If temperatures rise above 85°F early in spring, tomatoes may shift into the reproductive stage faster. Greenhouses and cold frames heat up quickly on sunny days.
Excess Nitrogen
When you fertilize a plant early on with a lot of nitrogen, it grows leaves instead of flowers and fruit. Don’t give plants too much nitrogen when they’re young; when they flower, switch to more phosphorus and potassium.
Should You Remove Early Tomato Flowers?
It’s generally not recommended to pluck off early tomato flowers. Here’s why:
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Tomatoes naturally produce more flowers than they can support as fruit. Extra flowers will drop off on their own later.
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Removing flowers means losing potential tomatoes. It’s better to allow pollination and fruit set.
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Determinate varieties only get one flush of flowers over a short time. Pinching flowers limits total fruit production.
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Indeterminates bloom continuously through the season. No need to reduce flowers since more will come.
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Plants self-regulate the number of fruit they can support. Don’t second guess the plant’s natural processes.
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Cool temps (below 55°F) already cause excess flowers to abort. No need to remove more.
So rather than pulling off early blooms, just allow the plant to self-thin excess flowers. Focus instead on protecting the flowers you do get against cold/frost damage.
What to Do for Early Flowering Tomatoes
If your tomato plants are flowering ahead of schedule, here are some tips:
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Add row covers, cloches, or cold frames to protect from frost at night. Tomatoes need 55°F+ for pollination.
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Start hand pollinating flowers by vibrating them with an electric toothbrush. Lack of wind may prevent self-pollination.
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Use blossom set hormone spray to help set fruit. It tricks plants into producing without pollination.
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Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizer which promotes foliage over flowers/fruit.
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Monitor moisture carefully. Too much or too little water causes flower drop.
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Add shade structures if daytime temperatures exceed 85°F. Blossoms abort in extreme heat.
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Choose smaller fruited varieties next year. Heavy fruit loads take longer to mature.
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Transplant younger plants, ideally 5-6 weeks after seeding. Old transplants bolt faster.
Preventing Early Flowering in the Future
To avoid premature flowering of tomatoes in the future:
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Start seeds indoors only 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside.
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Inspect transplants carefully and reject those that already have open flowers.
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Select slower maturing indeterminate varieties that bloom over a longer window.
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Use row covers and cold frames to regulate soil/air temperatures if starting early.
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Test soil and only fertilize if needed. Too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth.
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Gradually expose indoor started plants to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
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Harden off plants by reducing water and temperature for 7-10 days pre-transplant.
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Transplant on schedule based on your region’s last average frost date.
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Ensure proper soil nutrition and moisture levels after transplanting. Both affect flowering time.
By understanding what causes early flowering and taking a few simple precautions, you can help keep your tomato plants flowering on schedule. Pay close attention to start times, transplant age, and growing conditions for the best results.
