How to Grow Tomatoes

Tomatoes are warm-season plants. Get a head-start on the growing season by getting seeds started indoors. Another option is to buy seedlings at your local garden center around the last frost-free date in your area. Wait until about two weeks after the last frost-free date to plant them outside. They typically thrive when temperatures are 70 to 80 degrees during the day and when nighttime temperatures don’t dip below 60 degrees.

Tomatoes are sun lovers. Select a site that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Tomatoes prefer a well-drained, fertile, moist soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. If possible, take a soil sample in the fall and follow recommendations before spring planting.

Terms you will often see when looking at seed catalogs or selecting plants from a garden center are dwarf, determinate and indeterminate, which give a clue as to the size and growth habit of the plant.

If tomato selection is limited at nearby garden centers, it’s often possible to find seeds of different varieties. It can also be a cost-saving measure. A packet of seeds is often less than purchasing tomato transplants that are ready to go into the garden.

Learn more about starting seeds >

After the danger of frost has passed, the soil has warmed, and the plants are hardened off, it’s time to put them into the ground. Days to maturity after transplanting is typically 65 to 90.

Plant tomato plants deep, about 3 to 6 inches into ground or where the soil level is just below the lowest leaves. If planting in containers, use a good quality potting mix.

If planting several, give them plenty of room to grow. Space them about 2- to 3-feet apart.

Stake plants during or soon after transplanting so you don’t damage roots. Look for sturdy stake options such as wooden tomato stakes. As the plants begin to grow, pull them gently toward the stakes and tie loosely with twine or cloth. Cattle fencing panels that can be cut and bent to form supportive cages are another option. They provide support for the plant and are particularly useful for indeterminate varieties. Cages available at your local garden center may work for dwarf varieties. 

Fertilizing

• Use a starter fertilizer at the time you put transplants in the ground. Fertilizer is available in both organic and inorganic forms. Follow label directions.
• Sidedress or sprinkle fertilizer around the plant a couple of times during the growing season. Apply about 3 tablespoons of 10-10-10 fertilizer around each plant (but not touching the stem) when it begins to fruit. Add the fertilizer when the fruit is small, about 1 inch in diameter. Work it into the soil. Make another application every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season.
• If using organic fertilizer, follow label directions.

Controlling Pests, Diseases, and Other Problems

• Tomatoes like evenly moist soil. Keeping the soil evenly moist will help reduce or prevent blossom-end rot. Do not allow the soil to become too dry.
• Tomatoes are susceptible to blight. If you grew tomatoes in your garden the previous year, grow them in a different location this year. Wet leaves, particularly overnight, can cause problems. Water during the day and avoid wetting the foliage.
• Good air flow is important; that’s why spacing your plants at least 2- to 3-feet apart is important.
• Destroy any affected plants; don’t add them to your compost pile.
• Tomatoes are susceptible to fusarium and verticillium wilt. The above cultural practices will help. Look for varieties that have resistance to these diseases.
• Essential natural oils and other organic forms of pest control are available in garden centers, in addition to insecticides.

When the fruit begins to change color, it has begun the ripening process. One of the best ways to avoid cracking and splitting problems is to pick the fruit when it starts changing color, rather than waiting until it is fully ripe. Set the tomatoes on your countertop and they will continue to ripen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.

At the end of the season and before the first frost, pick any green tomatoes on the plant and allow them to ripen indoors. 

Storing

Tomatoes do best when stored in a single layer in a cool room. If you have picked them just before ripeness, they will continue to ripen if left at room temperature or in a cool space. Do not refrigerate.

Fully ripened tomatoes can be refrigerated; for best flavor, bring to room temperature before slicing and serving.

To store green tomatoes, wrap each in newspaper and store in one layer in a cardboard box. Store in a cool, dry place. If you have large quantities, too many to individually wrap, store on layers of newspaper and top with newspaper. Check every couple of weeks for ripened tomatoes.

• Get in the habit of feeding your soil with good quality compost; this will reduce fertilizer needs.
• Rotate your crops; avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot for three years.
• Keep soil evenly moist; don’t let it dry out.
• Keep foliage dry when watering to reduce introduction of diseases.
• Give plants plenty of room to grow and to allow for good air flow.