Cascade Early Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum (nightshade)


A fast-maturing, heavy-cropping tomato originally bred as a hybrid before being stabilised into the reliable, seed-saveable open-pollinated line grown today. Named for its trailing, cascading growth habit and the way clusters of fruit spill down the vine — a look market gardeners have long favoured for that classic "vine ripened" display. Medium, bright red, globe-shaped fruit sets in generous clusters of five to nine, with a sweet, tangy flavour that holds up well even in cooler regions and shorter seasons. A dependable choice for salads, sandwiches, and general slicing, and one of the earliest tomatoes to bring a harvest home. Indeterminate (climbing) variety — requires staking.

Days to harvest 60–65 days from transplant
Fruit size 110–170g, globe-shaped
Sowing depth 5mm
Germination 6–14 days at 24–29°C
Spacing 45–60cm apart
Aspect Full sun, well-drained soil
Frost tolerance Frost sensitive — needs reliably warm nights

Growing notes

Choose a full-sun, open position with good air circulation. A reliable, productive plant that copes well even where the growing season isn't especially long. Suits a large pot from 40L+ with staking

Soil preparation: Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter worked in.

Support: Staking or caging recommended — vines trail and cascade under the weight of heavy fruit clusters.

Watering & feeding: Water deeply and consistently. Feed regularly with a potassium-rich fertiliser once flowering and fruiting begins.

Harvest: Pick as fruit ripens to bright red — clusters ripen in succession rather than all together, giving a steady, ongoing harvest.

Timing: One of the earliest tomatoes to crop — expect first harvest around 60–65 days after transplanting, with continued production through the season.

Key features

  • Open-pollinated, stabilised from an earlier hybrid line
  • Fast-maturing — one of the earliest tomatoes to crop
  • Medium, globe-shaped, bright red fruit, 110–170g
  • Sets in generous clusters of 5–9 fruit
  • Sweet, tangy, well-balanced flavour
  • Performs reliably even in cooler climates

Short season tips


Sow 6–8 weeks before you want to plant out, on a heat mat if possible — soil needs to be 24–29°C to germinate reliably. Transplant only once all risk of frost has passed and nights are reliably mild. Its fast maturity and cold tolerance make it one of the better choices for a shorter or less predictable growing season.

  • Spring
  • Summer

Tender perennial — most often grown as an annual

  • Basil (classic tomato pairing) Marigolds Carrots Parsley
  • Other nightshades (capsicums, chillies, eggplants, potatoes) Fennel Corn


Early Cascade began life as a popular commercial hybrid, prized for its early, heavy yields and reliable performance in cooler regions. After the original hybrid was discontinued, growers worked to stabilise an open-pollinated version that could be saved true to seed year after year, preserving the variety's earliness, flavour, and productive, cascading growth habit for home gardeners.