Growing your own tomatoes, whether in a backyard garden, a small container, or on a sunny balcony, offers significant rewards. Home cultivation provides control over the variety, flavor, and growing conditions, resulting in a superior product. This guide walks through the steps necessary for a successful harvest, starting with the initial choices that set the stage for healthy, productive plants.
Site Selection and Variety Choice
Tomato plants thrive in locations that receive a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. This high light requirement is necessary for robust growth and fruit development, so selecting the sunniest spot available is the first step toward success. The choice of tomato variety is equally important and depends heavily on the space you have and your desired harvest schedule.
You will encounter two main growth habits: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate varieties grow to a fixed height, typically three to five feet, and ripen their fruit over a concentrated period of a few weeks. This is ideal for container gardening or preserving large batches at once. Indeterminate varieties continue to grow and produce fruit until frost, requiring more substantial support and offering a steady supply throughout the season. After deciding on a variety, you can start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost or purchase established seedlings for a quicker start.
Planting and Initial Soil Setup
Tomatoes require a rich, well-draining soil structure to support their growth and fruit load. If planting in a garden bed, loosen the soil and incorporate organic material, such as compost or aged manure, into the top 8 to 12 inches. Container-grown tomatoes should be placed in pots at least 18 to 24 inches wide and deep, using a high-quality potting mix formulated for vegetables.
When transplanting a seedling, bury a significant portion of the stem, often up to two-thirds of the plant’s height. This deep planting encourages the buried stem to develop new roots, creating a stronger, more resilient root system. Remove any leaves from the section of the stem that will be underground before setting the plant in the soil. Proper spacing is necessary: determinate types need 18 to 24 inches between plants, while indeterminate varieties benefit from 24 to 36 inches to ensure adequate air circulation.
Ongoing Care: Support, Water, and Nutrients
Support and Pruning
Providing physical support is necessary for almost all tomato plants to prevent stem breakage and keep fruit off the ground, reducing the risk of disease. Cages, stakes, or trellises should be installed immediately after planting to avoid damaging the developing root system later. Indeterminate varieties require ongoing tying to their support structure as they grow upward.
For indeterminate types, pruning the “suckers” is a common practice to focus the plant’s energy into fruit production. Suckers are small shoots that emerge in the axil between a leaf stem and the main stem. Removing them directs energy toward the main stem and improves air circulation. Simply pinch them off when they are small, but avoid removing more than a third of the plant’s foliage at any one time.
Watering
Consistent watering is necessary for healthy tomato production and preventing common issues like blossom end rot and fruit splitting. Water deeply and regularly, aiming for the soil to remain evenly moist, rather than allowing it to cycle between bone dry and saturated. Water at the base of the plant using a soaker hose or drip system to keep the foliage dry, as wet leaves can promote fungal diseases.
Fertilization
Tomatoes are heavy feeders and benefit from a scheduled nutrient regimen once flowers and fruit begin to appear. Initially, a balanced fertilizer is suitable, but once fruiting begins, switch to one higher in phosphorus and potassium and lower in nitrogen, such as a 5-10-5 formulation. This shift supports fruit development rather than excessive leafy growth. For potted plants, apply a liquid fertilizer every one to two weeks, while in-ground plants can be side-dressed with a granular fertilizer every three to four weeks.
Harvesting and Season End
Identifying a ripe tomato means the fruit should be firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure and detach easily from the vine with a slight twist. Harvesting with a short piece of stem attached, or using small clippers, can help extend the fruit’s storage life. Picking the fruit regularly encourages the plant to continue setting and ripening new tomatoes.
As the season nears its end and a killing frost is anticipated, any remaining full-sized green tomatoes can be picked to ripen indoors. These can be spread out in a single layer on a counter or wrapped in newspaper and stored in a cool, dark location. Once the plants have stopped producing, remove and dispose of the dead foliage and stems completely. This cleanup prevents lingering fungal spores or disease-causing bacteria from overwintering and infecting the following year’s crop.