The Juliet Tomato

The Juliet tomato is a grape tomato variety that’ sweet and delicious. It’s often nicknamed the “mini Roma” because of its shape. These tomatoes are soft and juicy like cherry tomatoes and enjoy a long shelf life. The plants have vigorous vines, known for setting abundant fruits. Plus, they are hearty plants resistant to many diseases and a great starter plant for amateur growers.

History of the Juliet Tomato

Juliet tomatoes are hybrids first introduced in the 1990s and are a larger sister variety to the Santa grape tomato.

Characteristics of the Juliet Tomato

Juliest are indeterminate hybrid grape tomatoes. They grow in 12-18 fruit clusters on the vine with good vine storage, crack resistance, and shelf life.

Ripening Season

This early season tomato takes about 60-70 days to produce fruit if transplanting outdoors from indoors, and 80-85 days if growing outdoors from seed. Also, they can continue to produce until the first frost.

Tomato Qualities

These tomatoes have a sweet flavor. They are firm with glossy red skin and an elongated shape.

Tomato Size

Juliet tomatoes grow to weigh up to an ounce each and are slightly larger than Santa grape tomatoes.

Planting Zones

These tomatoes can produce fruits in USDA zones 3-11. It’s recommended that you start your plant indoors and transplant it outdoors after eight weeks before the last frost of the spring. When transplanting, bury 2/3 of the plant but make sure exposed leaves do not touch the ground.

Size and Spacing

Juliet tomato plants can grow 6-8 feet tall. Plant spacing should be 18-36 inches apart.

Pollination

Unlike other types of tomatoes, hybrid seeds can not be saved year after year to produce new plants. You must purchase new seeds every year for the best results.

Plant Care

The following sections will provide highlights about tomato care. For a complete guide on optimal tomato plant care, from planting to harvesting and storage, please check out our article on How To Grow Tomatoes: The Complete Guide For the Best Tomatoes.

A sturdy trellis or some heavy-duty stakes is definitely a must for this plant as it grows in climbing vines. Also, a good compost around the base will help your plant grow and produce more fruits. Here’s a great compost guide that can help. You also want to weed around your plants every day or so.

Sunlight

Tomatoes require between 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Soil

Well-drained soil that’s loose and nutrient-rich with a soil pH between 6.2 and 6.8 is ideal. Tomatoes can do well in most soil types. However, they struggle in clay soil. In this case, a grower would need to till their soil with loom or sandy loom before transplanting their Juliet tomato plants.

Water

Water regularly at least once a day, keeping the soil moist around the base of the plant. Never water on the plant itself. Increase watering to two times a day during scorching days.

Fertilizer

Tomatoes require specific nutrients (such as calcium) to produce their best crops of fruit. To learn how to determine what your tomatoes need and when they need it, consult our ultimate tomato fertilizer guide.

Pruning/Pinching

Most gardeners abstain from pinching or pruning the buds on their Juliet tomato plants since the new vines can easily accommodate large quantities of fruits if the plaint is sufficiently fertilized and watered. This can be very refreshing for tomato growers who pinch and prune their plants like crazy. Just feed and water your Juliets and let them do their thing!

Disease

Juliet tomatoes are hybrids designed to resist diseases and skin cracking. However, there are certain best practices to protect your plants from disease. To learn how to detect, treat, and take steps to prevent diseases, read our tomato diseases guide.

Pests

Regional pests such as snails, birds, grasshoppers, etc., can and usually will target your Juliet tomatoes. For information to help you spot, eliminate, and deter 15 different pests, visit our guide on common tomato pests.

When to Harvest Juliet Tomatoes

Juliet tomatoes plants are ready to harvest 60-70 days after transplanting them into your outdoor garden. And they will continue to grow and deliver more fruit throughout the season as they are indeterminate. Be prepared to harvest a lot of these delicious tomatoes!

Common Uses For Juliet Tomatoes

Juliet tomatoes are ideal for many dishes, especially those calling for grape tomatoes. However, they are larger than your average grape or cherry tomatoes and usually require being cut in half for many recipes.

What Does This Tomato Taste Like?

Juliets have a sweet, slightly acidic tomato-ey taste and are an All-America Selections winner.

Cooking

Juliet tomatoes are ideal for many cooked recipes; however, they are usually had or even quartered due to their size.

Eating raw

These tomatoes are fantastic in salads and on kabobs.

Canning

Canning tomatoes is a fairly simple process and a great way to preserve your harvest for using in the fall and winter. You can find complete instructions in this canning guide.

Freezing

Frozen tomatoes work very well for recipes such as soups and stews, but they do not retain their great taste and texture when eaten raw.

Drying

You can also sun-dry Juliet tomatoes for delicious seasoning used in many recipes. Here’s a great guide on how to do it.

Recipe Ideas

Roasted Juliet Tomatoes with Garlic and Herbs

Roasted Tomato Sauce

Italian Grilled Chicken & Grape Tomato Salad

Fresh Grape Tomato Pasta

Grape Tomato Cream Cheese Tulips

Cumin Chicken Paillards with Grape

Health Benefits of Juliet Tomatoes

Tomatoes are bursting with flavor and nutrients such as folate vitamins C and K and potassium. Tomatoes are also among the best daily sources of a powerful antioxidant called lycopene, which researchers credit with reducing the risks of cancers and heart disease.

They are also a great source of fiber and are low in carbs.

Where to Buy Juliet Tomato Plants or Seeds

You can find Juliet tomato seeds at your local nurseries, grocery stores, and online retailers such as Amazon.

Where to Buy Juliet Tomatoes

Unlike many varieties of tomatoes, there’s a pretty decent chance you might find some Juliet tomatoes at your local grocery store due to their high yields, long-shelf-life, and resistance to common tomato diseases. You can also check with your local farmer’s markets.

Final Thoughts on the Juliet Tomato

There’s are plenty of excellent reasons why so many growers love the Juliet tomato. It’s a sweet and tasty little tomato that’s super-easy to grow, disease-resistant, and a fantastic producer. And for novice growers, it’s a great little tomato to start with, as it produces fruits far beyond harvest season of many varieties. If you love grape tomatoes, plant so Juliets, you won’t regret it.

Excited for more tomato content? Then visit our tomato page for growing tips, comprehensive guides, and tasty recipes!