Is there anything more magical than the first perfectly ripe tomato of summer? If you have harvested this iconic summer fruit from your own plants, you know it is one of the world’s best and most affordable luxuries. Below is a collection of articles and videos to guide you in growing great tomatoes this year.
Tomato plants are generally vigorous and undemanding. Even a beginner can grow a successful crop if a few basic needs are covered:
Sunlight Your plants will need at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun every day to produce fruit. Northern gardeners can plant in full sun, but in hotter climates a spot with afternoon shade may be best.
Water To get young plants off to a good start and to keep established plants productive, deep, regular watering is the key. Consistent moisture allows plants to make efficient use of soil nutrients and improves fruit quality.
Food Amending the soil with an organic fertilizer specifically formulated for tomatoes is a great way to give plants the nutrients they need. For a midseason boost, try side-dressing with compost.
Space Though dwarf varieties are available, most tomato plants grow to be quite large. Determinate varieties generally get 3 to 4 feet tall, while indeterminate plants grow to be at least 6 to 8 feet tall. Proper spacing ensures good airflow and reduces competition for light, water, and nutrients.
Support and Pruning Left to their own devices, most plants will ramble and sprawl, turning your tidy tomato patch into a tangled mess. Staking or caging will make weeding, watering, and harvesting easier. Well-supported plants are also easier to prune, which helps to boost yields and keep plants healthy.
Fine Gardening has been helping gardeners grow better tomatoes for decades. We have collected the resources below to help you harvest a great crop whether you are a first-time grower or a seasoned green thumb. Happy reading—and happy growing!
More guides from Fine Gardening:
Tips and Tricks for Starting Seeds
Tips for Creating, Maintaining, and Using a Cutting Flower Garden
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Kitchen GardeningTomato Tips, Tricks, and Myths (Webinar)
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ArticleTop 5 Tomato Questions Answered
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How-ToA Review of Tomato Gadgets
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Kitchen GardeningHow to Diagnose Tomato Problems
If you’ve ever wondered what’s wrong with your tomato plants, you need Tomato MD. This easy-to-use interactive app takes the guesswork out of diagnosing 35 different problems that affect tomato plants -- and what to do about them.
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How-ToThe Supporting Cast for Tomatoes
Provide your vines with some structure for easier harvesting, bigger fruits, and a better yield
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How-To4 Ways to Stake Tomatoes
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How-ToWhy It’s Important to Prune Tomatoes
How to manage your plants for better health and better fruit
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Kitchen GardeningGreat New Tomato Varieties
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Podcast: Let's Argue About PlantsEpisode 9: Which Tomato Varieties Are Tops?
We go beyond ‘Big Boy’ and ‘Early Girl’ to discuss some truly unique—and delicious—options
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Pacific Northwest Regional Reports5 Terrific Tomatoes for Northern California
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Southeast Regional ReportsThe Best Tomatoes for the Southeast
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