How To Grow Tomatoes | The Ultimate Guide to Growing Tomatoes

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Tomatoes are a popular and versatile crop that can be grown in a variety of locations, from gardens to containers. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to grow tomatoes successfully. While you can easily purchase tomato plants from local nurseries and big box stores, I hope this guide gives you all the courage on how to grow tomatoes not only from adult plants, but seedlings as well!

How To Grow Tomatoes From Seed

One of the first things you need to know about how to grow tomatoes is how to grow them from seed. Growing tomatoes from seeds is a fun and rewarding experience that can give you a great sense of satisfaction when you see your plants start to produce fruit. Here are the basic steps for growing tomatoes from seeds:

1. Start by selecting your seeds. You can purchase tomato seeds from a gardening store or online, or you can collect seeds from mature tomatoes that you’ve grown yourself.
2. Next, you’ll need to plant the seeds. You can either plant them directly into small containers filled with seed starting mix or plant them in seed trays or flats. Make sure to water the soil well and keep it moist but not too wet.
3. Place the containers or trays in a warm, sunny location or under grow lights, and keep them covered with plastic or a humidity dome to create a humid environment for the seeds. You should see sprouts in about 7 to 10 days.
4. Once the seeds have sprouted and have grown their first set of true leaves, it’s time to transplant them into individual pots or containers filled with potting soil.
5. As the plants grow taller and develop more leaves, you’ll need to transplant them into larger containers or into your garden. Make sure to choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
6. Provide support for your plants as they grow taller by staking them or using tomato cages to prevent them from falling over.
7. Water your plants regularly and feed them with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth and fruit production.

Tomato Varieties

What kind of tomatoes do you want to grow? Tomatoes come in a variety of types, such as paste, cherry, and slicer. Each type has its own unique characteristics and growing requirements. What kind of tomatoes you grow depends greatly on how you intent to use the tomato fruits. Here are some popular tomato varieties:

Paste Tomatoes

Paste tomatoes, also known as sauce or plum tomatoes, are varieties that are known for their meaty texture and low water content, which makes them ideal for making tomato sauce, paste, and other tomato-based products. Check out a few of the tried and true varieties:

• Roma. This is perhaps the most well-known paste tomato variety, and for good reason. Roma tomatoes are meaty and flavorful, with few seeds and a thick, juicy flesh.
• San Marzano. San Marzano tomatoes are an heirloom variety that are prized for their sweet, tangy flavor and rich, meaty texture. They are widely considered to be the best variety for making tomato sauce.
• Amish Paste. This variety produces large, oblong fruits with a meaty, sweet flavor. They are great for slicing and using in sandwiches, as well as for making sauce.
• Striped Roman: This heirloom variety is a cross between Roma and Marmande tomatoes, and produces elongated, meaty fruits with a beautiful striped pattern. They are great for making sauce or slicing and using in salads.

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are a popular and delicious variety of tomato to grow that are prized for their small size, sweet flavor, and versatility in the kitchen. Here are a few of my favorite cherry tomato varieties:

• 42-Day Tomato. The 42-Day Tomato is just as it sounds. Ready to harvest in 42 days! This tomato is great for a kid’s garden or also short growing seasons. It produces small bright red fruit with minimal seeds.
• Sun Gold: Sun Gold cherry tomatoes are known for their sweet, tropical flavor and bright orange color. They are one of the most popular cherry tomato varieties and are great for snacking or using in salads.
• Spoon Tomato. Spoon tomatoes are a micro cherry tomato that are a fun addition to a garden. These tiny tomatoes are about the size of a pea and are great for snacking or adding fresh to pasta.
• Black Cherry. Black Cherry tomatoes are a unique variety with a dark, purplish color and a rich, smoky flavor. They are great for snacking or using in salads.
• Grape: Grape tomatoes are small and oval-shaped, with a firm texture and a sweet, tangy flavor. They are great for snacking or using in salads and appetizers.
• Barry’s Crazy Cherry. These tomatoes are a unique and flavorful variety of cherry tomato. These tomatoes have a very sweet and tangy flavor, with a hint of acidity, and are great for snacking or using in salads. They are also known for their high yield, with each plant producing many clusters of fruit throughout the growing season.

Slicer Tomatoes

If your goal is to grow tomatoes for a hearty tomato sandwich, then these varieties are perfect for you! Slicer Tomatoes are large, meaty tomatoes that are perfect for burgers, sandwiches, and wraps. Here are some of my favorite varieties:

• Dr. Wyche’s Yellow Tomato. This heirloom tomato variety has a unique yellow color and a mild, sweet flavor. It produces large, meaty fruits that are great for slicing and using in sandwiches or salads.
• Paul Robeson Tomato. This heirloom tomato variety is named after the famous African American actor and singer. It produces large, dark purple fruits with a rich, sweet flavor and a firm, meaty texture. It is great for slicing and using in sandwiches or for cooking.
• Brandywine Tomato. This heirloom tomato variety is one of the most popular slicer tomatoes. It produces large, pink fruits with a sweet, rich flavor and a juicy, meaty texture. It is great for slicing and using in sandwiches, salads, or for cooking.
• Cherokee Purple Tomato. This heirloom tomato variety is known for its dark purple color and rich, sweet flavor. It produces large, meaty fruits with a firm texture that are great for slicing and using in sandwiches or salads.

When to Start Tomato Seeds

1. Determine your expected last frost date: Look up the average last frost date for your area. Just search “last frost date (your closest city) into google.
2. Count back 6-8 weeks: Once you know your expected last frost date, count back 6-8 weeks to determine when to start your tomato seeds indoors. For example, here in Upstate South Carolina the last frost date is April 12th. This means I will be starting my tomato seeds between Februrary 17th and March 3rd. Although I am eager to start gardening, I usually try to start seeds closer to 6 weeks so they don’t outgrow their containers in the event of a late frost.
3. Gather supplies: To start tomato seeds indoors, you will need some basic supplies, including seed starting trays or pots, a good-quality seed starting mix, tomato seeds, and a source of warmth and light (such as a seed starting heat mat and grow lights).
4. Plant the seeds: Fill your seed starting trays or pots with seed starting mix, and plant 2-3 tomato seeds in each one. Press the seeds lightly into the soil, and cover with a thin layer of additional soil.
5. Provide warmth and light: Tomato seeds germinate best in warm conditions, so use a seed starting heat mat to keep the soil temperature between 70-80°F (21-27°C). Once the seedlings emerge, provide them with ample light by placing them under grow lights or in a sunny south-facing window.
6. Thin the seedlings: Once the seedlings have grown to be a few inches tall, thin them out to leave the strongest and healthiest one in each pot. This will give the remaining seedling more space and resources to grow. Now it is time to allow them to grow until the tomato plants are ready for transplant!

How To Transplant Tomato Starts

You have calculated your last frost date, started and care for your tomato start plants, and now the ground is workable and the weather is warm! Here is how to successfully transplant your tomato starts to keep them thriving:

Harden off the seedlings: About a week before transplanting your tomato seedlings, start the process of hardening them off. This involves gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, such as wind and sunlight, to acclimate them to the change in environment. Begin by placing them outside in a protected, shady spot for a few hours a day and gradually increase their exposure over the course of a week.

Dig a hole: Dig a hole for each tomato seedling that is about twice as wide as the pot it was growing in, and deep enough to accommodate the root ball. Space the holes 2-3 feet apart.

Water the seedlings: Water your tomato seedlings thoroughly the day before transplanting. This will help prevent shock and make it easier to remove them from their pots.

Remove the seedlings from their pots: Gently remove the tomato seedlings from their pots, being careful not to damage the roots. If the roots are tightly bound, you may need to gently loosen them before transplanting.

Place the seedlings in the holes: Set each seedling in its hole and gently firm the soil around it. The top of the root ball should be level with the soil surface.

Water the seedlings: Water the seedlings immediately after transplanting, and continue to water them regularly throughout the growing season. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth.

Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of each plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

The Best Way To Trellis Your Tomato Plants

One of my least favorite things, when I grow tomatoes, is tomato cages. Not only are they expensive, they also don’t work as well and keep the plants as healthy as other methods. I have found the keeping the tomato well pruned and tied to cattle panels helps prevent powdery mildew and helps me keep an eye on pests!

How To Grow Tomatoes By Propagating

Suckers are small shoots that grow between the stem and the branch of a tomato plant. They can be removed and rooted to create new tomato plants.

Here’s how to propagate tomato plants from suckers:

1. Identify the suckers: Suckers grow between the stem and the branches of the tomato plant. They will be small shoots with their own set of leaves.
2. Remove the sucker: Use a sharp, clean pair of scissors or pruners to carefully remove the sucker from the tomato plant. Make sure to remove the entire sucker, including the base where it connects to the stem.
3. Remove the lower leaves: Remove the lower leaves from the sucker, leaving only the top few leaves.
4. Root the sucker: Place the sucker in a container of water or a pot with potting soil. Keep the soil or water consistently moist, but not soaking wet. Within a week or two, roots should begin to form.
5. Transplant the sucker: Once the roots have formed and are at least an inch long, transplant the sucker into a larger container or directly into the garden. Water well and keep the soil consistently moist until the plant is established.

Tomato Plant Growth Timeline

The Best Organic Fertilizers To Help Grow Tomatoes

Tomatoes are heavy feeders, which means they need plenty of nutrients to produce healthy foliage and fruit. Organic fertilizers are a great way to provide your tomato plants with the essential nutrients they need to thrive.

Here are a few examples of organic fertilizers you can use to grow healthy, productive tomato plants:

1. Compost: Compost is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be added to your garden beds or containers before planting your tomato starts. Compost contains a mix of macro and micronutrients, as well as beneficial microorganisms that help improve soil health.
2. Fish emulsion: Fish emulsion is a liquid organic fertilizer made from fish waste. It is high in nitrogen and other nutrients that are essential for plant growth. Dilute the fish emulsion according to the package instructions and apply it to the soil around the base of your tomato plants every few weeks during the growing season.
3. Eggs: Crushed an egg and adding it to the hole when transplanting tomatoes to provide a slow-release source of calcium. Calcium is essential for healthy tomato growth and helps prevent blossom end rot. Simply crush one egg and add them to the hole before planting your tomato starts.
4. Other organic fertilizers: Other organic fertilizers you can use for tomatoes include bone meal, blood meal, and composted manure. These fertilizers are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients that promote healthy plant growth.

Remember, organic fertilizers provide a slower release of nutrients to your plants compared to chemical fertilizers, so be patient and allow your tomato plants to gradually absorb the nutrients they need. Over-fertilizing can cause plants to produce more foliage than fruit and can also lead to nutrient burn, so be sure to follow the instructions on the package and avoid over-application.

Common Pests for Tomatoes

Tomatoes are susceptible to a variety of pests, including insects and animals. Here are some common tomato pests and how to control them:

1. Aphids: Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and the undersides of leaves, sucking sap from the plant and excreting a sticky substance that can attract other pests.
2. Whiteflies: Tiny white insects that fly up in a cloud when the plant is disturbed. They also suck sap from the plant and can transmit diseases.
3. Spider mites: Tiny mites that feed on the undersides of leaves, causing yellowing and leaf drop.
4. Cutworms: Larvae of various moth species that feed on the stems of young plants, causing them to wilt and die.
5. Hornworms: Large green caterpillars that can quickly defoliate a tomato plant.
6. Fruitworms: Larvae of various moth species that tunnel into ripening fruit, causing damage and reducing yield.
7. Stink bugs: Shield-shaped insects that feed on fruit, causing corky spots and deformation.
8. Tomato fruitworm: Also known as corn earworm, these pests bore into the fruit and can cause significant damage.

Common Diseases for Tomatoes

Tomatoes can also be susceptible to various diseases that can reduce the yield and quality of your crop. Here are some common tomato diseases and how to prevent them:

1. Early blight: A fungal disease that starts as small brown spots on lower leaves and can spread to other parts of the plant. Leaves may yellow and drop, and fruit may rot prematurely.
2. Late blight: A more serious fungal disease that can rapidly kill tomato plants. Symptoms include dark brown or black spots on leaves and stems, and a grayish mold on the undersides of leaves.
3. Verticillium wilt: A fungal disease that causes leaves to yellow and wilt, and can eventually lead to plant death. The fungus can persist in the soil for several years.
4. Fusarium wilt: A fungal disease that causes yellowing and wilting of leaves, and can eventually lead to plant death. The fungus can also persist in the soil.
5. Blossom end rot: A physiological disorder caused by a lack of calcium in the developing fruit. Affected fruit have dark, sunken areas at the blossom end and may be misshapen.
6. Tomato mosaic virus: A viral disease that causes mottling and yellowing of leaves, and can reduce fruit yield and quality.
7. Bacterial canker: A bacterial disease that causes wilting, yellowing, and blackening of leaves and stems. Fruit may also develop sunken lesions.
8. Septoria leaf spot: A fungal disease that causes small, circular spots on leaves that can merge and cause defoliation.

Ways to Use Tomatoes Fresh

Fresh tomatoes are delicious and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ways to use fresh tomatoes:

Tomato Salad

Fresh Salsa

Tomato Bruschetta

Ways to Preserve Tomatoes

Tomatoes can be preserved to enjoy them all year round. Here are some ways to preserve tomatoes:

Canning Tomatoes

Freezing Tomatoes

Drying Tomatoes

Now You Know How To Grow Tomatoes

Whether you started your tomatoes from seed, or bought an adult plant from a local nursery. By following the tips in this guide, you can grow healthy, productive tomato plants that will provide you with delicious, fresh produce all season long.