Plant tomatoes in late spring or early summer once all danger of frost has passed.
Depending on the variety, tomatoes can be ready to harvest anywhere from 42 to 110 days from germination.
Store-bought and home-grown seedlings need to be hardened off before planting outdoors.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Once night temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees, you might transplant tomato seedlings outdoors.
Water tomato plants well before planting.
Check seed packets and seedling tags for spacing guidelines for your plant varieties.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Remove a few sets of the bottom leaves to create a longer stem.
Only 1/3 of the plant should be visible above ground.
The stem will develop roots from any part buried in the soil, which leads toextra-strong plants.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Tip
As you plan your garden,allow plenty of space for your tomato crop.
Tight spacing will inhibit airflow, which can cause diseases in mature and immature plants.
Fill seed trays with soilless seed starting mix and moisten the soil well.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Plant tomato seeds a quarter-inch deep and cover them with soil.
Put the trays in a warm place under a grow light.
In warmer regions like the southern United States, tomatoes might benefit from afternoon shade during the hottest times.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Soil
Plant tomatoes in a site with rich, well-drained soil.
Choose a spot with soil that is slightly acidic loam or sandy loam.
Workorganic matterinto the soil in the autumn or a few weeks before you plan to plant.
Vining indeterminate tomatoesThe Spruce / K. Dave
Water
Water tomato plants regularlyto ensure they receive at least one inch per week.
Consistent watering will help produce the best-quality fruit.
Keeping the foliage dry will reduce the chance of fungal diseases.
Determinate tomatoes growing in a containerThe Spruce / Colleen & Shannon Graham
Temperature and Humidity
Tomatoes can grow well at various humidity levels butneed warm temperaturesto survive and thrive.
Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can stunt growth and damage the plant’s ability to produce flowers and fruit.
Fertilizer
Tomato plants require nutrient-rich soil to grow and produce healthy fruit.
‘Yellow Pear’ tomatoesThe Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Pollination
Tomatoes are self-fertile, meaning you don’t need more than one plant for pollination.
Movement from the wind is usually adequate to ensure pollination.
However, a few different issues can cause pollination issues.
‘Green Zebra’ tomatoesThe Spruce / Jayme Burrows
All fruit on the plant ripens within roughly two weeks, and then plants die back.
Determinate tomatoes are often used for sauce and canning.
Because they keep growing, they requiresturdy stakingand regular pruning.
‘Pink Brandywine’ tomatoesChiot’s Run / flickr / CC BY-NC 2.0
They’re also better suited to in-ground planting.
Early-season varieties will grow ripe, ready-to-harvest fruit in 42 to 70 days.
Ripe tomatoes will have smooth, shiny skin.
‘Celebrity’ tomatoesThe Spruce / Steven Merkel
Use scissors or pruners to cut stems when harvesting because pulling fruits off the vine can damage the plant.
When a frost is forecast, remove all fruit from in-ground plants.
you’re free to also use green tomatoes in certain recipes.
Tomato diseases can be fatal if you don’tidentify, treat, and have a go at prevent themfrom occurring.
Treat insects like aphids by spraying them off with water or treating plants withneem or horticultural oil.
Some pests, like tomato hornworms, must be picked off by hand.
Tomato plants require full sun to grow.
Put them in a spot that receives at least eight to ten hours of direct sunlight daily.
Generally,planting tomatoesin the ground will yield stronger plants since their roots can spread and root deeply.
However, using varieties known for growing well in pots can produce good results in large, deep containers.
Basil and marigolds are some of the most popularcompanion plants for tomatoes.
Selecting the best tomato varieties for your garden.
North Carolina State Extension.
Planting and Spacing.Utah State University Extension.
Growing tomatoes in home gardens.University of Minnesota Extension.
Keeping Tomatoes Healthy in Hot Weather.The Ohio State University.
Growing Tomatoes.Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Pollinating Tomatoes in High Tunnels.South Dakota State University Extension.
Pollination Problems of Tomato and Pepper.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Biology (Basel).
2022;11(2):239.
Desuckering and Rooting Tomatoes.Clemson Cooperative Extension.
