Tomatoes might have a reputation for being a bit finicky, but with the right approach, even a beginner gardener can enjoy a bumper crop. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about growing tomatoes successfully, from choosing the right spot in your garden to harvesting and saving seeds.
Getting Started with Tomatoes
Before planting, it’s important to think ahead. Tomatoes—and their close relatives like peppers, potatoes, eggplants, and tomatillos—shouldn’t be planted in the same spot in your garden every year. Rotating crops helps keep the soil rich and discourages diseases from taking hold.
One effective way to manage rotation and improve drainage is by using raised beds. Tomatoes don’t require raised beds, but the benefits include healthier roots, better soil control, and simpler crop rotation. Planning your garden layout ahead of time will give your tomatoes a great start.
When and Where to Plant Tomatoes
Tomatoes love sunlight. Most varieties thrive with 8 to 10 hours of full sun per day. Cherry tomatoes can manage with as little as six, but more is generally better.
Always wait until after the final frost before transplanting your tomatoes outdoors. These plants are delicate when young, and a cold snap can quickly damage or kill them. Start seeds indoors in late winter or early spring, then gradually introduce them to outdoor conditions over 1–2 weeks in a process called hardening off.
Gently brushing your hand over the young plants indoors can mimic wind and help strengthen their stems before they move outside.
Tomato Growth Types: Determinate vs. Indeterminate
Determinate varieties grow to a certain height and set all their fruit in a short window of time, usually two weeks. These are excellent for container gardening or small spaces.
Indeterminate varieties continue to grow and produce fruit all season long. They require strong support systems and are ideal for gardeners who want ongoing harvests.
Check your seed packet or plant label to determine which variety you have. If you’re short on space, look for dwarf or patio-friendly options.
Starting Tomatoes from Seed
Tomato seeds should be started indoors about 6–8 weeks before the final frost. Use seed-starting soil or moistened peat pellets and plant the seeds about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Sow two seeds per cell to increase your chances of germination.
Keep the containers in a warm spot or use a seedling heat mat. Once seedlings emerge, provide bright light and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water directly at the base to prevent fungal issues.
Once true leaves appear, seedlings can receive diluted fertilizer. Watch for issues like leggy growth (caused by too little light) or damping off (a fungal disease from poor drainage or overcrowding).
Preparing the Soil
Great tomatoes begin with healthy soil. Start prepping your bed a few weeks before transplanting. Mix in compost or other organic amendments to address any deficiencies, especially calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
Whether planting in a raised bed or in-ground, ensure the soil drains well and maintains a pH around 6.5. Break up large clumps and avoid disturbing the soil ecosystem more than necessary.
Transplanting Tomatoes
Before transplanting, harden off your plants by placing them outside a bit longer each day for 1–2 weeks.
Choose a sunny location and space plants at least 18–24 inches apart. Bury about 75% of each plant’s stem to encourage a strong root system. Remove lower leaves and place support structures like cages or stakes in the ground immediately to avoid damaging roots later.
Many gardeners add crushed eggshells to planting holes for an extra calcium boost.
Watering and Mulching
Tomatoes need deep watering at the base of the plant. Avoid wetting the leaves and fruit, which can lead to disease. Water early in the day and aim for consistency to avoid stressing the plants.
Wait 4–5 weeks after transplanting to mulch. This allows the soil to warm up. Use organic mulches like straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid bark mulch unless you’re supplementing with extra nitrogen.
Companion Plants and Crop Rotation
Certain plants thrive alongside tomatoes, while others don’t. Here are a few companions to plant nearby:
Good companions:
- Basil: improves flavor and repels pests.
- Garlic: deters spider mites.
- Chives: repels aphids.
- Marigolds: reduce root-knot nematodes and tomato worms.
- Lettuce/spinach: acts as living mulch.
- Carrots: break up soil and use space efficiently.
Plants to avoid:
- Fennel and brassicas (like broccoli or cabbage): stunt tomato growth.
- Corn and potatoes: share pests and diseases with tomatoes.
- Walnuts: release chemicals toxic to tomatoes.
Rotate tomatoes every year, and avoid replanting them in the same location for at least three years. Follow with nitrogen-fixing crops like beans or peas to restore soil health.
Harvesting and Storing Tomatoes
Tomatoes ripen from the inside out. Let them fully color on the vine if possible, but if extreme temperatures loom, pick them early and ripen them indoors.
Twist the fruit gently or cut it with a sharp tool. Store green tomatoes in a paper bag with an apple or banana to encourage ripening. Never refrigerate unripe tomatoes—the cold halts flavor development.
Fully ripe tomatoes should be used within a few days or preserved by canning, drying, or freezing. If storing in the fridge, use a vented bag in the crisper drawer.
Saving Tomato Seeds
To save tomato seeds for long-term storage:
- Choose fruit from a healthy, open-pollinated (heirloom) plant.
- Scoop seeds with gel into a jar.
- Cover with cheesecloth and let ferment for 2–3 days.
- Rinse thoroughly and spread on a paper plate to dry.
- Store in a labeled envelope or jar in a cool, dark place.
This process removes a gel coating that inhibits germination and may contain pathogens.
Selecting the Right Tomatoes for Your Garden
Short-season cherry tomatoes are well-suited to most climates. If you need a variety that thrives in your region, look for locally adapted seeds or consult a regional planting guide.
Final Tomato Growing Tips
- Always rotate crops.
- Use stakes or cages from day one.
- Water deeply and consistently.
- Watch for calcium deficiencies and other soil imbalances.
- Prune as needed, and remove affected fruit to prevent disease spread.
With a little patience and proper care, growing tomatoes at home can be one of the most rewarding parts of your gardening journey.