35 Tomato Plant Growing Tips for a Bumpin' Crop

Tomatoes are a staple in our garden and it’s something that we grow without fail. They’re staples in many gardens. Who doesn’t love tomatoes after all?! For as long as I can remember, we’ve always grown tomatoes. I don’t think there was a year that we’ve missed, or at least I don’t remember ever missing a year. We love tomatoes so much we’re going to start canning our own sauce. This has been a dream for me to do and I’ve been putting it off for too long. Partly because I’m nervous about doing something for the first time, plus it’s a lot of work! Having amazing tomatoes throughout the growing season is a must, and I’m here to share all of the tips that I’ve learned through the years.

This post is all about tomato plant growing tips.

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Table of Contents

Choose Disease-Resistant Varieties

This is an important tip. You definitely don’t want to plant tomatoes that are really susceptible to diseases. There are plenty of remedies for keeping diseases at bay, but if you’re a beginner choosing disease-resistant varieties can give you a leg up to having a successful crop. Having those types of varieties can really help increase your confidence as a beginner grower. Select tomato seeds labeled for resistance to blight or wilt, like ‘Celebrity’ (which is a cherry tomato variety) or ‘Mountain Magic’ (another type of cherry tomato). Mountain Magic is actually resistant to late blight, early blight and fruit cracking.

While hunting for the perfect tomato plants, keep in mind the following:

Hybrid does not mean genetically modified, or GMO. Hybrid simply means that different varieties of tomatoes were ‘bred’ together to produce another variety type. This is through a natural selection process of certain traits that’s not done in a lab.
Disease-resistance doesn’t mean the plant can’t get a disease. Having disease resistance traits doesn’t mean a plant won’t get a disease. A tomato variety is usually only resistant to certain types of diseases, but not all. Continue to carry out good growing practices to have the healthiest plants. If you’re not sure what those practices are, keep reading!

Start Seeds Indoors in Early Spring

If you’re planning to grow from seeds, sow seeds in small peat pots with rich soil under grow lights, 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Of course you’ll need a seed starting set up inside. Grab some seed starting soil mix. It’s super important that plants get a good start so make sure it’s a high quality soil. It’s also critical to keep watch over the weather, but sometimes, weather can change and we need to be able to pivot.

If you’re new to all of this, I’d start by learning about your growing zone and what your estimated frost dates are. Write down the estimated dates, and then write down the actual date that was the last frost. Keep records of the temperatures after the frost date and look two weeks out. Check both the day and night time temperatures. Just because it’s hot or warm during the day, doesn’t mean seedlings can withstand the temperatures at night.

Grab my Garden Planner to help you get started and stay on track!

Use a Well-Draining Potting Mix

For anyone that’s growing in containers, fill containers with a mix of compost and perlite for optimal drainage. Make sure your containers have weep holes at the bottom. Most plants don’t like sitting in water so it’s important that the water is able to drain.

Water at the Base, Not the Leaves

Apply water directly to the soil with a watering can to prevent leaf fungus. Watering on the leaves can lead to issues like powdery mildew. Powdery mildew isn’t just unsightly, but it can weaken you plants and it spreads. Although it usually doesn’t kill the plant, it can cause leaf drop (plant to lose its leaves), cause damage to the fruit due to defoliation, stunt growth, reduce yield, as well as other health issues.

Mulch with Straw for Moisture Control

This will totally be dependent on your climate. If you have a climate that has a lot of moisture in the air, this may not be a good idea. Too much dampness can attract diseases and pests like slugs. However, if you’re in a zone that has to retain moisture, such as in an area that has drought, use mulch. Spread a 2-inch layer of straw around plants to retain moisture and deter weeds.

Prune Suckers for Better Fruit Production

There are some gardeners that do this and some that don’t. I prune my suckers off whether they produce flowers or not. This is so air circulation is good, there’s not a lot of crowding with branches, as well as other benefits to keeping tidy plants. Remove small shoots between main stems and the main branches with clean shears weekly.

Install Sturdy Tomato Cages Early

Place wire cages around young plants to support growth. It’s important to do this early on in the growth stage because waiting too long will cause it to be difficult to get the branches in the right spots for support. I’ve made the mistake of not doing it soon enough and breaking branches in the process. If tomato cages aren’t your thing, then you can definitely opt for many different types of support system and/or trellises.

Test Soil pH Before Planting

Use a soil test kit and test your soil. If you have really terrible soil, you may want to test it each year to see what exactly it’s missing. The soil should be between a pH of 6.0–6.8. Having healthy soil is the key to having healthy plants. If your soil pH is off and/or it’s not good quality soil. Don’t worry! That can be remedied over time with making amendments to the soil.

Fertilize with Organic Compost Tea

Brew compost tea and apply monthly to boost nutrients. If you’re not sure how to make one, that’s ok! I have a recipe for you. The below recipe makes approximately 1 gallon of this brew.

Ingredients

1 gallon of non-chlorinated water (rainwater or dechlorinated tap water left to sit for 24 hours)
1 large handful of well-decomposed compost (about 2 cups, rich and dark)
1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses (to feed beneficial microbes)
1 clean 5-gallon bucket
1 aquarium pump with air stone (optional, for aeration)
1 fine mesh bag or old nylon stocking (to hold compost)

Instructions

Prepare the Water:
Fill the 5-gallon bucket with 1 gallon of non-chlorinated water. If using tap water, let it sit uncovered for 24 hours to allow chlorine to evaporate, ensuring a safe environment for beneficial microbes.
Add the Compost:
Place the handful of well-decomposed compost into the fine mesh bag or nylon stocking. Submerge the bag into the water, securing it to the bucket’s side with a clip or tie to keep it fully immersed.
Mix in Molasses:
Stir in 1 tablespoon of unsulfured molasses until fully dissolved. This natural sweetener feeds the microbes, enhancing the tea’s potency. Use a wooden spoon to blend gently.
Aerate the Mixture (Optional):
For best results, attach an aquarium pump with an air stone to the bucket and run it for 24–48 hours. Bubbles should agitate the water, oxygenating the mixture. If skipping aeration, stir vigorously every 6 hours.
Steep the Tea:
Let the mixture steep for 24–48 hours in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight. The water will turn a dark tea-like color, indicating nutrient release. Avoid over-steeping beyond 48 hours to prevent harmful bacteria growth.
Strain and Use:
Remove the mesh bag and discard the used compost. Stir the tea well. Dilute with water at a 1:1 ratio if it’s too strong, then apply immediately to your garden soil or plants using a watering can.
Store Leftovers:
If any tea remains, store it in a sealed container in a cool, dark place for up to 24 hours. Use promptly to maintain microbial activity.

Rotate Crops Yearly to Prevent Pests

Plant tomatoes in a different garden spot each year. The practice of rotating crops is to keep disease and pest pressure down, and maintain soil fertility and structure. Now this might not be possible depending on the type of garden you have. In the case of container gardening for example, replenishing the soil is going to be super important to maintain soil fertility.

Provide Full Sun Exposure

Plant your tomato plants where they’ll received 6 to 8 hours of sun. Tomatoes need a lot of sun and won’t do well at all in the shade. So be sure that they’re planted in a sunny spot. Tomatoes can even take sun all day. However, when the sun is super intense combined with drought conditions, they may need a break. Consider using a shade cloth. This type of cloth doesn’t provide complete shade to the plants. Instead it’s filtered coverage to give the plants a break.

Use Row Covers for Early Frost Protection

Drape lightweight fabric over young plants during cold snaps or consider a greenhouse or cold frame. Although I have a mini greenhouse, I don’t any lightweight fabric to put over my plants in case it gets cold. This was a big boo boo I made this year. I decided to plant my tomato and basil seeds early (mid-May) instead of waiting until the end of the month. It was super hot and warm at night, giving the illusion that it was a good time to plant. I was definitely wrong and will be keeping to my tried and true timing for planting next year.

Hand-Pollinate in Low Wind Areas

Gently shake flower clusters with a soft brush to aid pollination. Hand pollination is a good practice in this type of situation. However, I also recommend finding lots of ways to attract pollinators. This will really make your life a lot easier instead of resorting to hand pollination.

Stake Tall Varieties for Support

Tie indeterminate plants to wooden stakes with garden twine. This is another type of support system you may consider using for your tomatoes.

Check for Overwatering Signs

Overwatering looks a lot like underwatering. The two can easily be confused and of course, many people always think they’re underwatering. Tomatoes don’t like to be overwatered and will result in cracking of the fruit as well as other issues with the plant itself. However, sometimes this can be completely unavoidable. For instance, the plants might have gone through a period of lots of rain over the course of a few days. Gardeners and farmers who grow food for a living are at the mercy of the weather after all.

Look for yellow leaves or soggy soil and adjust watering. If there’s too much water, hold back on watering. If the garden’s had a lot of rain, give it a break and extend time in between waterings.

Add Calcium to Prevent Blossom End Rot

Blossom end rot can affect other plants besides tomatoes. So it’s good to keep calcium in the soil in check. Mix crushed eggshells into soil before planting. Or my favorite way to get calcium back into the soil is with lime.

Harvest Regularly to Encourage Growth

Pick ripe tomatoes as often as possible. If you’re regularly harvesting from the plants, it allows them to refocus their energy on producing new and more fruit. This thereby increases your yield! Additionally this can help to keep pests away. Overripe fruit or rotting fruit can attract pests. Another practice I implement is if I know there’s going to be a lot of rain, I’ll harvest any tomatoes that are blushing. This is when the tomato starts to have a little bit of reddish/pinkish color to it, signaling that it’s ripening. Tomatoes that aren’t fully ripe can ripen on your counter. I like to pull them early to prevent the fruit from splitting.

Companion Plant with Marigolds

I‘ve spoken extensively on companion planting in general with several fruits and vegetables. Companion planting or interplanting is a natural and organic way to keep plants healthy and keep pests away. Place plants like marigold flowers nearby to repel pests.

Avoid Overhead Sprinklers

As mentioned previously, avoid using overhead water. This also include the use of overhead sprinklers. Consider installing and using drip irrigation to keep foliage dry. This is a type of irrigation that lays on the top of the soil and waters the plants at the ground level.

Thin Fruit Clusters for Larger Tomatoes

This goes right along with harvesting regularly. There are some varieties that grow bunches or cluster of pretty large tomatoes. Not only do you want to remove excess fruit or ripened fruit on a regular basis, but if you have clusters or even large tomatoes, that can be a lot of weight on the plant. The excessive weight can actually start to break the branches. So be sure to stay on schedule with picking those tomatoes!

Monitor for Aphid Infestations

Aphids are one of the most annoying pests. I know every pest has a purpose, but they are truly annoying to me. They can also quickly take over your plant, which is one of the worst things that can happen. Check the undersides of leaves and use neem oil. I would use neem oil right away just because they can quickly take over not just one plant, but many. If you’d like to read up about neem oil, check out this blog post where I talk all about it.

Use Raised Beds for Better Drainage

Consider installing raised beds, especially if you have poor soil. Raised beds can help with better drainage as long as you put in good quality soil. Definitely don’t use anything from your existing garden to put into the raised beds.

Plant After Soil Warms to 60°F

If you’re not starting from seed and bought seedlings, or you’re looking to transfer your seedlings that you started indoors, wait until soil temperatures are warm enough. By not waiting until the temperatures are high enough, you can have all sorts of growth and nutrient issues. This is because when it’s too cold, the plant can’t properly take up nutrients from the soil.

Space Plants 2–3 Feet Apart

Allow room for air circulation by spacing correctly. Growing tomatoes too close together can cause all kinds of issues for your plants. Check out my blog post that talks all about spacing for your tomato plants.

Apply Epsom Salt for Magnesium Boost

Before adding anything to the soil, it’s best to test your soil. I like to use MySoil Soil Testing Kit because it not only tells you what’s in your soil or what’s lacking, but it also tells you what to add.

If you’re going to use Epsom salt, sprinkle 1 tablespoon around the base monthly.

Attract Pollinators

For whatever you choose to plant, always find ways to attract pollinators to your garden. Pollinators really help with abundance in the garden. I have a whole list of flowers that attract pollinators here! My goal is to plant as many pollinator attracting flowers as possible on our property. It’s a never-ending work-in-progress.

Prune Lower Leaves to Improve Airflow

Before you plant your seedlings, remove the lower branches. There should be no leaves touching the ground, as a rule of thumb. This will help with both air flow and help to minimize any diseases that may come from the soil and affect the plant.

If you’ve already planted your seedlings, that’s ok, but don’t remove anything when the leaves are wet. This helps to reduce the likelihood of spreading fungal diseases.

Water Deeply Once a Week

Be sure to water you plants deeply at least once a week. You may need to water more frequently when it’s really hot outside and dry, especially if there are drought conditions. Watering deeply reaches more of the root system and encourages the roots to grow. By watering deeply, it’ll allow you to water less frequently.

In contrast, a shallow watering only gets the surface of the soil wet. If this happens during, for example, a rain shower and there hasn’t been much rain, you should water the plants more thoroughly.

Save Seeds from Heirloom Varieties

Dry and store seeds from ripe heirloom tomatoes. If this is something you’d like to tackle, then go for it! Saving seeds can help reduce the need to have to buy more seeds for the next growing season.

Use Organic Pest Barriers for Deterrence

There are all sorts of ways to deter pests organically. You may have seen other gardeners using little cups of beer to attract slugs away from their garden. You can also apply diatomaceous earth around plant bases. Learn all about it here in my blog post. My all time favorite natural bug deterrent is neem oil. It has always worked really well for me in our garden.

Train Vines on a Trellis

Indeterminate tomato plants need quite a bit of support. They can grow so tall, but since they’re only a vine, all that height needs to be supported. Train indeterminate plants up a trellis for both support and to save space.

Check for Hornworm Damage

Tomato hornworms are actually large caterpillars (in spite of their name) that later become moths. There are a few different species of hornworms in the United States. They later turn into either a tomato hornworm moth, a tobacco moth, or hawk moth. Inspect your plants for these caterpillars and hand pick them off. These caterpillars can easily destroy your tomato plants quickly. You’ll easily be able to identify their damage as they eat entire branches. I haven’t really had any issues with tomato hornworms, thankfully. The one that I did find on one of my plants was already dead or dying. It was taken care of by a parasitic wasp. Attracting parasitic wasps to your garden can be a game changer. They lay their eggs inside of the hornworm and their larvae take care of it for you!

Compost Your Garden

Using compost in your garden helps to replenish any nutrients lost or already lacking in the soil before you’ve even started gardening. That’s why it’s so important to test your soil. I have an area of our yard that I tried to grow sunflowers, pumpkins, and squash but they weren’t successful. I should’ve tested the soil before planting because I knew the soil was severely lacking already. The sunflowers were so small – only maybe a foot high. The squash didn’t even really grow. The pumpkins did ok. It turns out that in that area of the yard, we have a high amount of iron. An excessive amount of iron stunts growth and actually damages the cell plants, eventually leading to the death of the plant. It also affects the pH of the soil.

Overall, too much iron is not good for plants. So amendments would have to be added to the soil in order to bring down the ion levels. We’re starting to add compost and lime.

Extend Season with Wall O’Waters or Row Covers

Did you know you can grow for a longer period of time by adding things like row covers? There are fleece row covers that you can put over your crops to extend the growing season. Or you can use them for your cool weather crops if your summer crops are finished. Another option is a wall o’ water. This is a simple, yet effective way to keep plants warm when temperatures drop. It’s a type of insulation that has plastic tubes that are filled with water. During the day, the water absorbs the heat from the sun, and emits the heat at night, keeping the plant toasty.

Dry or Can Tomatoes for Winter Storage

There are several ways to preserve your tomatoes for the winter. Who doesn’t like a taste of the summer during a cold winter day? A couple of ways you could consider storing your tomatoes is to either dry them or can them. There are so many recipes you can use when it comes to canning. Make salsa, ketchup, sauce, paste – you name it! You could also try sun-dried tomatoes. Slice and sun-dry ripe tomatoes on racks.

Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed these 35 amazing and insanely simple tomato growing tips. Growing your own food doesn’t have to be difficult so it’s my pleasure to share as many tips as possible.

Have you tried any of the above tips or is there something new that you learned? Share this post and leave a comment below!

This post was all about tomato plant growing tips.