Best Tomato Growing Tips
Since 2010, Tomato Dirt has garnered 4.6+ million views, making it the web’s leading online source for growing tomatoes in the home garden. Award-winning writer and Tomato Dirt owner Kathy Widenhouse has helped thousands of home gardeners grow healthier tomatoes. Be one of them when you get Tomato Dirt’s Growing Guide here.
Share your best tomato growing tips or questions with Tomato Dirt readers!
What are your best tomato growing tips? Gardeners like you know best.
We want to hear from you. Tell us your favorite tip so we can share your experience with other Tomato Dirt readers. Or share a question you have about growing tomatoes. We’ll publish your approved submission on its own page.
Sometimes it’s just one idea that can make all the difference for another gardener.
And with tens of thousands of tomato gardeners out there … well, combined that’s a LOT of experience.
So when you ask questions or share your experiences, we learn from each other and get new ideas about what to try in our gardens.
Here's a sampling of the kinds of information readers want to know from you or the topics you may have questions about:
- Do you use any special planting tricks?
- Where and when do you plant?
- Do you stake – or not?
- What kind of crop do you get?
- What kind of challenges do you face?
- What have you learned from year to year?
We hope you’ll also send a picture if you’ve got one!
Just follow the instructions below to send your submission.
(By the way, if you want to tell us more than one tip or ask more than one question, please go ahead! Just use a separate submission page for each tip.)
Thanks for sharing – and happy gardening!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Heat 
I live in NW Florida. The temperatures start to get warm here in March and by June, it is in the 90’s with 100% humidity. By September it’s OMG hot. The …
To Turn Soil in the Fall or Not
I am a bit confused. In the article, "3 Mistakes to Avoid When You Prepare Garden for Winter," it is mentioned to avoid over-cultivating; however, in …
Don't over-fertilise tomatoes! Here's a good feeding schedule
My tip for growing tomatoes is to use a good fertilisation plan.
First, use a good, balanced fertiliser during pre-planting, working it into the soil …
How can I grow a sweeter tomato?
I live in Macon, Georgia and grow Rutgers, Better Boy, and Whopper tomatoes, with good production. However I would like to know how to get a much sweeter …
Will hog wire work to support tomatoes?
Is there anything wrong with using hog wire for staking? Here are pictures of how I have it set up.
Tomato Dirt responds:
Your hog wire system …
Growing question
Some of my tomato plants have suffered "wilt." In this case, the wilt is a purpling and curling of the leaves. They are shriveling and slightly distorted. …
2 Questions about Tomato Leaves and Tomato Growth
I have just ventured into home gardening. My tomatoes have begun to bear flowers and fruits.
Question #1:
I am having some issues with white lines …
Tomato Cages are a Must
Folks,
I have 2 tips for my fellow tomato growers.
Tip #1: Make yourself some tomato cages out of that concrete wire you see at Lowe's or Home …
Blooms falling off at stems in hanging tomatoes
Q. I had tomato plants in my back yard this year growing in Topsy-Turvy planters. I started them from seeds in the house. After planting them in the …
Amending Soil With Egg Shells
I save egg shells all year long. At planting time, I crush them and mix with compost. I plant the mixture with new tomato plants to prevent blossom end …
May I set out my tomato plants if the overnight forecast is cold?
Q. If I put my tomatoes out in pots on the patio, will they survive a temp of 26 degrees F if covered at night - or should I wait? I am out of room in …
How to grow healthier and bigger tomatoes
A tomato plant will grow much better if you put a handful of Epsom salts in the hole, before you put the plant in. This has always worked for me. …
I check moisture daily
and adjust pH
Using Miracle Gro Moisture Control Mix this year in 5 gallon pots. Had to adjust (very acid mix, around 4.0) with hydrated lime to get up to 5 to 6.5 pH. …
More Tomatoes for Deserts
I just stumbled upon your website and started reading the page on tomato varieties to grow in desert areas. I wanted to post a comment on the page but …
Best tomatoes ever for me
I buried a soaker hose in a small trench (about 4-5 inches deep) snaked through my tomato garden. I covered the whole area with a plastic that kept out …
Use epsom salts and sugar when planting tomatoes
An avid garden and greenhouse owner told me years ago to use Epsom salts and sugar when planting tomatoes. Put a tablespoon of each in the hole and …
Best Tomatoes for Windy Areas?
I have a lovely rooftop garden where I grow veggies and herbs in two 15' x 3' x 3' containers. During my first year, I found the South Carolina coastal …
Are beans and tomatoes compatible?
Q. I have heard that beans and tomatoes are
not compatible. Is this true?
And if so, is this for rotational purposes only
or should I not plant …
When Are My Tomatoes
Ready To Pick?
Dear Tomato Dirt,
I know this is a seemingly obvious question, but the fact is I think I may be to eager to pick my tomatoes. (Who can blame me, …
How to Drill Holes for Planting Tomatoes 
When I plant tomatoes, I use a drill with a bit that's designated for planting bulbs. I run a string across the garden to mark the row. Then, every 10 …
Turning Your Tomato Plants
Ok, our pastor shared this with me last year and I tried it - and it was successful...
Just before you are ready to plant your tomato plants, turn them …
Taking off extra tomato branches
My grandfather's family were farmers in Europe. When they settled in NJ, they also farmed. My grandfather said that he learned to take off some of the …
My March Madness !!!
To be honest, I love college basketball. But this is also My March Madness! During the time outs in all the games yesterday I transplanted almost 100 tomatoes. …
Banana peel for fast ripening Not rated yet
Add a banana peel or two right when the plants start flowering. We have done it for years and our plants explode quickly when mature. Something about enzymes..... …
Bury the Bush Not rated yet
You will get more substantial plants without sacrificing production if you "bury" your tomato bush at least halfway up the stem. The leaves will develop …
Eggshells at the base of the plant Not rated yet
This year, I grew 5 Cherokee Purple tomato plants in my garden. I was getting frustrated because those were the only ones that hadn't really taken off …
Help for blossom end rot & drought in tomatoes Not rated yet
Here a couple of ways to prevent blossom end rot in your tomato plants and at the same time, help boost plants during drought.
Mix 1 tablespoon each …
Raised bed paradise Not rated yet
I only grow determinate (bush) varieties. I only grow 'open pollinated' heirloom varieties. This means I can save seed and the plants generally have better …
Planting Not rated yet
Q. Can you plant tomatoes in same spot each year?
A. It's not recommended.
Crop rotation is an excellent practice for a couple of reasons.
…
Stacking straw around base of plants Not rated yet
We live on a 300 acre farm and my 17-year-old son grows a massive garden each year. He is amazing. We have 18 plants right now (8 different varieties) …
Starting Tomatoes Early Not rated yet
This year I started my tomato plants outdoors earlier than normal. Actually they were planted inside a hot box made from old window sashes in early March. …
Soil amendments Not rated yet
Tried dried, crushed banana peels and had a bumper crop on the test plant, Black from Tula, which now joins Black Carbon as our "must have" varieties. …
When should I pick my first Celebrity Tomato? Not rated yet
Q. I have really getting big Celebrity tomato plants, with plenty of flowers. I water regularly and they seem to be just fine. However, should I pick …
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