Tomato

Growing Conditions

Tomatoes need warm soil (60°F minimum), full sun, and warm nights to set fruit reliably. Blossom drop occurs when nighttime temperatures fall below 55°F or exceed 75°F — timing transplanting to avoid extended cold nights is important. They are heavy feeders and benefit from rich, well-amended soil.

Cold climates: Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. Transplant after last frost when soil and nights have warmed — late May in Zone 5. Wall-O-Waters or other season extension tools allow earlier transplanting. Choose varieties with 70–75 days to maturity for reliable harvest before first fall frost.

Warm climates: Long seasons support beefsteak and other large, slow-maturing types. Start indoors and transplant after last frost.

Sowing & Planting

Start seeds ¼ inch deep at 70°F–80°F. Transplant deeply — bury the stem up to the lowest set of leaves. Roots form along buried stem sections, producing a stronger, more drought-resistant plant. Space 18–24 inches apart for determinate types; 24–36 inches for indeterminate. Install support at planting.

Care & Maintenance

Water deeply and consistently — 1–2 inches per week. Inconsistent moisture causes blossom end rot and cracking. Mulch heavily to retain moisture and prevent soilborne disease splash. Feed with balanced fertilizer at planting; switch to lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer once flowering begins.

For indeterminate varieties: remove suckers (shoots that form in the crotch between stem and branch) regularly to maintain one or two main stems. This improves airflow, focuses energy on fruit production, and keeps plants manageable.

Common Problems

Blossom end rot — dark, sunken spot at fruit base — results from calcium deficiency caused by irregular watering. Water consistently. Early blight causes dark concentric rings on lower leaves — remove affected leaves, mulch to prevent soil splash, rotate crops. Late blight is more serious — gray-green water-soaked lesions that spread rapidly in cool, wet conditions; remove and destroy affected plants. Tomato hornworm — large green caterpillar — hand-pick; Bt is effective. Cracking results from irregular moisture after dry period.

Harvest

Pick tomatoes when fully colored and slightly soft to gentle pressure. For slicing types, harvest before fully soft for longer shelf life. Cherry tomatoes can be harvested slightly early and will finish ripening off the vine. At end of season, harvest all green tomatoes before frost — they ripen slowly indoors at room temperature (not in the refrigerator).

Varieties

Determinate types (Roma, Celebrity, Rutgers) grow to a set size and ripen fruit in a concentrated window — good for canning. Indeterminate types (Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, Sun Gold cherry, Sungella) continue growing and producing until frost — best for fresh eating and extended harvest. For Zone 5, choose varieties with 70–75 days for reliable production. Paste tomatoes (San Marzano, Amish Paste) have meaty flesh with low water content — ideal for sauce and canning.