At The Arbor Gate, we don’t usually dedicate an entire conversation to just one plant variety. With thousands of plants, seeds, and varieties passing through our garden center in Tomball every season, singling out one feels almost unfair to all the others we love.
But Matt’s Wild Cherry tomato? It deserves the spotlight.
This isn’t just another tomato variety. This is the tomato that Beverly Welch and Angela Chandler call “the one” for Gulf Coast gardeners—especially those who’ve struggled with tomatoes in the past. If you’ve ever muttered “I just can’t grow tomatoes” while watching your neighbor’s harvest pile up, this variety is about to change your gardening life.
What Makes Matt’s Wild Cherry Different?
Let’s be honest: growing tomatoes on the Gulf Coast can be brutal. We battle relentless summer heat that routinely hits triple digits. Our humidity creates a paradise for fungal diseases. Pests seem to love our climate as much as we do (unfortunately). And just when your plants start producing, they often shut down from stress.
Most tomato varieties require staking, regular pruning, constant vigilance, and a fair bit of luck. They’re fussy. They demand attention. And if you’re a beginner or have limited time, they can be downright discouraging.
Matt’s Wild Cherry doesn’t care about any of that.
This variety laughs in the face of Texas heat. It shrugs off humidity. It keeps producing when other tomatoes have long since given up. And it does all of this while asking almost nothing from you in return.
The “Brown Thumb” Tomato
As Beverly says in the video, “This is the tomato for people who have brown thumbs, think they can’t grow any tomatoes, or that tomatoes are fussy.”
If you’ve killed tomato plants in the past—welcome to the club, and meet your redemption.
Matt’s Wild Cherry is:
✅ Heat tolerant — Thrives when temperatures soar
✅ Humidity resistant — Rarely bothered by fungal issues
✅ Self-supporting — Grows as a dense bush; no staking required
✅ Low maintenance — No training, minimal pruning
✅ Pest resistant — Dense foliage hides fruit from birds and insects
✅ Incredibly prolific — Produces continuously all season
✅ Container friendly — Perfect for patios, balconies, and small spaces
✅ Beginner approved — Practically foolproof
In short: this is the tomato that forgives your mistakes, works with your schedule, and rewards you generously.
The Growth Habit: A Gardener’s Dream
One of the most appealing aspects of Matt’s Wild Cherry is how it grows.
Most tomato varieties are either:
- Determinate (bush types that produce one big harvest and quit)
- Indeterminate (vining types that need staking, caging, and constant management)
Matt’s Wild Cherry is technically indeterminate, meaning it produces continuously throughout the season. But unlike sprawling indeterminate varieties that need 6-foot stakes and weekly tying, this tomato grows as a dense, mounded bush.
What This Means for You:
No staking required. You can stake it if you want (some gardeners like the tidiness), but you absolutely don’t have to. The plant naturally forms a compact, self-supporting shrub.
No constant pruning. Forget about pinching suckers every week. This variety doesn’t need that kind of micromanagement.
Perfect shape for containers. The mounded growth habit drapes beautifully over the edges of pots, making it ideal for patio and balcony gardening.
Hides the fruit. The dense foliage creates a protective canopy over the tomatoes, shielding them from birds and making it harder for pests to find them.
Angela describes it perfectly: “It kind of will grow itself into a mound. It doesn’t have to be trained in any particular way.”
For time-strapped gardeners, apartment dwellers, or anyone who just wants tomatoes without the drama, this growth habit is a game-changer.
The Flavor: Sweetness You Won’t Believe
Here’s where Matt’s Wild Cherry truly shines: flavor.
These aren’t your typical grocery store tomatoes. They’re not even your typical cherry tomatoes. Matt’s Wild Cherry tomatoes are tiny—smaller than most cherry varieties, closer to currant tomatoes in size.
But what they lack in size, they make up for in sweetness and intensity.
Beverly and Angela both describe them as the sweetest tomatoes they’ve ever tasted. Not “pretty sweet for a tomato.” Not “nice flavor.” The sweetest.
The Ketchup Story
Angela shares a telling story in the video that illustrates just how sweet these tomatoes are:
Right before a hard freeze, her husband Fred went outside and picked two full colanders of Matt’s Wild Cherry tomatoes. (Yes, two full colanders from a single plant area—we’ll get to the productivity in a moment.)
Angela decided to make homemade ketchup with the harvest. No high fructose corn syrup. No preservatives. Just tomatoes, spices, and the usual touch of brown sugar for balance.
When Fred tasted the finished ketchup, his only feedback?
“We could cut back on the brown sugar because they were just so darn sweet.”
Let that sink in. The tomatoes were so naturally sweet that they didn’t need the usual sugar addition in a ketchup recipe.
That’s not just sweet. That’s candy-level sweet. Which is exactly why Beverly admits, “It’s hard to get in the house with them.”
The Gardener’s Reward (AKA You’ll Eat Them All in the Garden)
Beverly calls Matt’s Wild Cherry “the gardener’s reward,” and Angela immediately agrees: “My husband and I both are bad about just eating them while we’re standing out in the garden.”
If you’ve ever grown truly delicious tomatoes, you know exactly what they’re talking about.
You walk outside to check on the plants. You spot a few ripe tomatoes. You tell yourself you’ll pick them and bring them inside for dinner.
But they’re right there. Warm from the sun. Perfectly ripe. And you know how good they taste.
So you pop one in your mouth. Then another. Then a handful. And by the time you head back to the house, your “harvest” has mysteriously disappeared.
This is the Matt’s Wild Cherry experience.
The size makes it worse (or better, depending on your perspective). Each tomato is bite-sized—no slicing, no mess, just pure tomato candy straight from the vine.
Fresh eating is arguably the best use for these tomatoes:
🍅 Straight from the vine (the most common fate)
🍅 Tossed into salads (no cutting required)
🍅 Sprinkled on top of soups (burst of sweetness and acidity)
🍅 Snack bowls (rinse and serve)
🍅 Kids’ lunches (tomatoes they’ll actually eat!)
🍅 Pasta toppers (warmed through, not cooked to death)
Of course, if you do manage to get them inside, they also make:
- Incredibly sweet homemade ketchup (as Angela discovered)
- Roasted tomato medleys
- Preserves and jams (yes, really—the sweetness works beautifully)
- Dehydrated “tomato candy” for winter snacking
But honestly? Most of these tomatoes never make it that far. And that’s perfectly fine.
The Productivity: Colanders, Not Handfuls
Let’s talk about volume.
Angela’s story about Fred picking two full colanders before a freeze wasn’t an exaggeration or a one-time fluke. It’s standard for this variety.
Matt’s Wild Cherry is absurdly prolific.
The plants produce continuously throughout the season, setting fruit even during the hottest parts of Texas summer when other varieties shut down. And because each plant produces hundreds (even thousands) of tiny tomatoes, your harvests are measured in colanders, not handfuls.
Why This Matters:
Size becomes irrelevant. Yes, each tomato is small. But when you’re harvesting 50+ at a time, multiple times per week, the total yield is impressive.
Continuous harvest. Unlike determinate varieties that give you one big harvest and quit, Matt’s Wild Cherry keeps going. You’ll be picking tomatoes from late spring through fall (and sometimes into early winter on the Gulf Coast).
Perfect for preserving. If you actually manage to resist eating them all fresh, the sheer volume makes it worthwhile to put up ketchup, sauces, or preserves.
Great for sharing. With this kind of productivity, you’ll have plenty to share with neighbors, coworkers, and friends—which is how gardening legends are born.
Beverly sums it up: “It’s so prolific that size doesn’t really matter. We literally fill colanders of these when we sit down and harvest and bring them in.”
Heat and Humidity: The Gulf Coast Test
Here’s the real test for any tomato variety in our region: Can it handle a Texas summer?
Most can’t.
Traditional tomato varieties are bred for more moderate climates. They love warm days and cool nights. They prefer low humidity. They shut down when temperatures consistently hit the 90s, and they absolutely hate triple-digit heat.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Gulf Coast summers deliver.
Matt’s Wild Cherry doesn’t care.
As Angela puts it: “All of the things that cause problems for tomato growers off the Gulf Coast, this tomato doesn’t care about that.”
What This Variety Tolerates:
🌡️ Extreme heat — Keeps setting fruit even when temperatures soar into the high 90s and low 100s
💧 High humidity — Rarely suffers from the fungal diseases that plague other varieties in our muggy climate
☀️ Intense sun — Doesn’t sunscald or wilt under our brutal Texas sun
🦟 Pest pressure — Dense foliage and continuous production mean a few nibbled fruits don’t impact overall harvest
This isn’t a variety that limps through summer, barely surviving until fall. This is a variety that thrives in the conditions that kill other tomatoes.
Perfect for Containers (Apartment Gardeners, This One’s for You!)
Don’t have garden space? No problem.
Matt’s Wild Cherry is one of the best tomatoes for container growing—and that’s saying something, because most tomatoes struggle in pots.
Why It Works So Well in Containers:
✅ Compact growth habit — The mounded bush shape fits beautifully in containers
✅ Self-supporting — No need for elaborate staking systems on your balcony
✅ Cascading habit — Drapes attractively over pot edges
✅ High productivity in small space — Get serious yields from a single large pot
✅ Forgiving — Tolerates minor watering inconsistencies better than fussier varieties
Angela mentions this specifically: “If you’re only a container grower or you only have an apartment, they’ll love being in a container.”
What You’ll Need to Grow Matt’s Wild Cherry
The beauty of this variety is its simplicity. You don’t need elaborate systems, expensive equipment, or advanced skills.
Here’s your complete shopping list—all available at The Arbor Gate in Tomball:
🌱 Plants & Soil
Matt’s Wild Cherry tomato plants — Available seasonally (spring planting season). Call ahead to check availability: (281) 351-8851
Organic Soil Complete — The foundation of success. One soil for any application—containers, raised beds, in-ground planting. Available in:
- Individual bags (perfect for 1-3 plants)
- 1-yard totes (approximately 27 bags—great if you’re planting multiple tomatoes or doing other garden projects)
🍃 Fertilizers & Amendments
Organic Food Complete — Slow-release organic fertilizer that works with soil biology. Won’t burn plants or force excessive growth. Apply at planting and every 6-8 weeks.
🐝 Pest & Disease Management (Natural Solutions)
The good news? Matt’s Wild Cherry is rarely bothered by pests or diseases. But if you want to be proactive or are growing other varieties alongside it:
Beneficial nematodes — Soil-dwelling predators that control grubs and soil pests
Ladybugs and praying mantis — Natural predators for aphids and other soft-bodied pests
Cedar granules and mosquito dunks — For fungus gnats and mosquito larvae in containers
Garlic-based sprays — Anti-fungal, non-lingering scent. Great preventative for humid conditions.
EM-1 microbial sprays — Supports plant immunity and beneficial microbes
IV Organics sunscreen and tree trunk protectant — If you’re also planting fruit trees or young woody plants, this protects against sunscald
🪴 Containers & Tools (If Needed)
Large containers — 10-20 gallon pots (we carry a variety of sizes and styles)
Optional cages or stakes — If you prefer a tidier look
Watering equipment — Hoses, watering cans, drip irrigation components
How to Get Started: Visit The Arbor Gate
Ready to grow the easiest, sweetest, most productive tomato you’ve ever tried?
📞 Step 1: Call Ahead
Matt’s Wild Cherry tomato plants are available seasonally during spring planting season (typically late February through April, depending on weather).
Call us at (281) 351-8851 to:
- Check current availability
- Reserve plants (we often sell out of popular varieties)
- Ask any questions about growing conditions
- Get personalized advice from our knowledgeable team
🏡 Step 2: Visit Us in Tomball
The Arbor Gate
15635 FM 2920
Tomball, TX 77377
When you visit, our team will help you:
✅ Select healthy, vigorous Matt’s Wild Cherry plants
✅ Choose the right container size (if growing in pots)
✅ Calculate how much Organic Soil Complete you need
✅ Pick up Food Complete fertilizer and any amendments
✅ Grab natural pest management products if desired
✅ Get expert planting advice specific to your situation
🌐 Step 3: Explore Our Full Selection
While you’re here, explore:
- Heirloom vegetable starts (we carry varieties that thrive on the Gulf Coast)
- Texas native plants (low-maintenance, adapted to our climate)
- Herbs (culinary and medicinal)
- Fruit trees and berry plants (expand your edible garden)
- Seasonal blooms (companion plants for your tomatoes)
- Organic gardening products (everything from beneficial insects to soil amendments)
Founded by Beverly Welch in 1996, The Arbor Gate has been the Gulf Coast’s premier organic garden center for nearly three decades. We’re more than a retail space—we’re a community of passionate gardeners dedicated to education, sustainable practices, and helping you succeed.
We also grow bulbs for Chris Wiesinger of The Southern Bulb Company (aka The Bulb Hunter) in dedicated raised beds on-site. If you’re interested in heirloom Southern bulbs, ask about availability!
Planting & Care: Keep It Simple
Once you’ve got your plants and supplies, here’s how to set them up for success:
🪴 Planting (In-Ground or Raised Beds)
- Choose your location — Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)
- Prepare the soil — Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Mix native soil 50/50 with Organic Soil Complete. Add a generous handful of double-screened compost.
- Plant deep — Tomatoes love to be planted deep. Bury the stem up to the first set of true leaves (roots will form all along the buried stem).
- Water in — Soak thoroughly after planting. Add a dose of EM-1 microbial spray to support establishment.
🪴 Planting (Containers)
- Choose a large pot — 10-20 gallons (bigger = better productivity and easier watering)
- Fill with Organic Soil Complete — Don’t use garden soil in containers. Our complete soil has the perfect structure for container drainage.
- Plant deep — Same as in-ground: bury the stem up to the first set of true leaves
- Top-dress with compost — Add ½ inch of double-screened compost on top
- Water thoroughly — Containers need more frequent watering than in-ground plantings
💧 Watering
In-ground: Water deeply 2-3 times per week (more in extreme heat). Let soil dry slightly between waterings.
Containers: Water daily during summer (check soil moisture with your finger). Containers dry out fast in Texas heat.
Pro tip: Water in the morning to reduce fungal disease risk.
🍃 Fertilizing
At planting: Mix Food Complete into soil
Every 6-8 weeks: Side-dress with additional Food Complete
Monthly: Top-dress with compost and water in with EM-1
During heat stress: Foliar spray with liquid seaweed every 2 weeks
✂️ Pruning
The beautiful truth: You don’t really need to prune Matt’s Wild Cherry.
Some gardeners like to remove the lowest branches once fruit starts setting (improves air circulation). But unlike indeterminate varieties that need constant sucker removal, this one manages itself.
Let it grow into its natural mounded shape. Enjoy the low-maintenance lifestyle.
🐛 Pest Management
Matt’s Wild Cherry is rarely bothered by pests, but if you notice issues:
Aphids: Release ladybugs or spray with garlic-based spray
Hornworms: Hand-pick (they’re large and easy to spot). Encourage natural predators with diverse plantings.
Fungal issues: Spray with garlic-based fungicide at first sign. Ensure good air circulation.
General prevention: Regular EM-1 applications support plant immunity and beneficial microbes
🍅 Harvesting
When: Tomatoes are ripe when they’re fully colored and slightly soft to the touch
How: Gently twist and pull, or use scissors/pruners
Frequency: Check every 2-3 days during peak season. You’ll be amazed how fast they ripen.
Reality check: Most will be eaten in the garden before you make it back to the kitchen. This is normal and completely acceptable. 😊
Why We Love Talking About Specific Varieties
At The Arbor Gate, we could sell you any tomato and you’d probably have decent success with our soil and guidance.
But that’s not good enough for us.
We want you to have extraordinary success. We want you to fall in love with gardening. We want your neighbors asking for your secrets. We want your kids asking for “those sweet tomatoes” in their lunchboxes.
That’s why we spotlight varieties like Matt’s Wild Cherry.
Not every plant is created equal. Some varieties are just objectively better suited to our Gulf Coast climate. Some are more forgiving for beginners. Some deliver flavor that makes you rethink what you thought you knew about vegetables.
Matt’s Wild Cherry checks all those boxes.
It’s the variety we grow in our own gardens. It’s the one we recommend to friends and family. It’s the tomato we’re genuinely excited about—and when Beverly and Angela dedicate an entire video to a single variety, you know it’s special.
📞 Ready to Grow the Best Tomato of Your Life?
Here’s your action plan:
1. Call The Arbor Gate: (281) 351-8851
- Check on Matt’s Wild Cherry plant availability
- Ask about current inventory of Organic Soil Complete and Food Complete
- Get personalized advice for your specific growing situation
2. Visit Us in Tomball
The Arbor Gate
15635 FM 2920
Tomball, TX 77377
Pick up:
- Matt’s Wild Cherry tomato plants
- Organic Soil Complete (bags or tote)
- Food Complete fertilizer
- Double-screened compost
- EM-1 microbial spray
- Liquid seaweed
- Any containers or tools you need
3. Plant, Water, and Wait
Seriously, it’s that simple with this variety.
4. Harvest (and Try to Make It Inside)
We’re not judging. Most won’t make it past the garden gate. That’s the Matt’s Wild Cherry experience.
Join the Arbor Gate Community
Growing Matt’s Wild Cherry is just the beginning.
When you shop at The Arbor Gate, you’re joining a community of passionate Gulf Coast gardeners who’ve been gathering here since Beverly founded the garden center in 1996.
Stay Connected:
📸 Instagram: @arborgate — Daily garden inspiration, product highlights, growing tips, and community features
📘 Facebook: The Arbor Gate — Longer videos, detailed tutorials, event announcements, and community discussions
🎥 YouTube: The Arbor Gate — In-depth growing guides, expert interviews, variety spotlights, and seasonal advice
🌐 Website: arborgate.com — E-commerce for soil totes, classes, gift cards, and select gardening tools. Blog posts and planting guides.
Share Your Success:
When you harvest your first colander of Matt’s Wild Cherry tomatoes (and you will), tag us @arborgate on Instagram! We love seeing our community’s gardens thrive, and we regularly feature customer photos on our social media.
Use hashtags like:
- #ArborGate
- #MattsWildCherry
- #GulfCoastGardening
- #TomatoHarvest
- #TexasGardening
Your success inspires other gardeners and builds the kind of supportive community that makes gardening even more rewarding.
The Bottom Line
If you take away one thing from Beverly and Angela’s conversation, let it be this:
Matt’s Wild Cherry is the tomato that works when others don’t.
It forgives mistakes. It thrives in heat. It produces abundantly. It tastes incredible. And it makes you feel like a gardening genius—even if you’re a complete beginner.
You don’t need fancy equipment, complicated systems, or years of experience. You just need:
- A sunny spot
- Good soil (Organic Soil Complete)
- Regular water
- Minimal attention
The tomato handles the rest.
So if you’ve been intimidated by tomato growing, frustrated by past failures, or convinced you just don’t have the “green thumb” for it—this is your variety.
Give it a try. We think you’ll understand why Beverly and Angela broke their own rule to talk about just one plant.
Call us today: (281) 351-8851
Let’s get you growing the sweetest, easiest, most productive tomato you’ve ever tasted. 🍅💚
The Arbor Gate
15635 FM 2920
Tomball, TX 77377
📞 (281) 351-8851
🌐 arborgate.com
📸 @arborgate
Since 1996, your Gulf Coast destination for organic gardening, expert advice, and a community that celebrates the joy of growing.
