Tomatoes are, hands down, one of the most popular seasonal plants. Juicy, tangy, and sweet, they liven up summer salads and pasta dishes or can be enjoyed on their own as a delicious snack. Culinary advantages aside, they’re also one of the easiest plants to grow at home. By now, you may have noticed your local hardware stores are filling up with seedlings, enticing you to start your vegetable garden. The good news is that growing tomatoes is easier than you might think. The most important tomato growing tips are even beginner-friendly and involve little skill to get started.

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Plant Tomatoes Deeply

Tomatoes develop stronger root systems when planted deeply, with roots emerging along the buried stem portion, so remove lower leaves and bury up to two-thirds of the seedling[1][3].

Provide Proper Watering

Tomatoes need at least one inch of water weekly, more in summer, with soil moisture checked regularly and water directed at roots to keep foliage dry[1][4].

Use Mulch For Protection

Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around tomato plants to minimize weeds, maintain soil moisture, and prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto foliage[1][4].

Choose Companion Plants Strategically

Plant tomatoes alongside allies like basil, peppers, marigolds, and borage to support growth and attract beneficial pollinators[3].

Feed Plants Regularly

Fertilize tomato plants weekly or bi-weekly starting from their first set of true leaves, as proper feeding ensures healthy growth and timely fruit ripening[3].

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Whether you’re using your patio, porch, fire escape, or have a sprawling yard to plant in, you can cultivate fresh tomatoes at home. With the right tips and tools, you can have a bounty of fresh tomatoes to last you throughout the summer. The key is knowing the basics before you begin. Below, we’ve gathered five expert-approved tips for growing healthy and plump tomatoes this season.

Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes

Before you start filling your cart with baby tomato plants, you need to know what kind of seedlings you’re dealing with. The two styles of tomato plants, determinate and indeterminate, will determine where you can plant them and the amount of work you can expect to be doing for the next few months. Determinate tomatoes are ideal for growing in pots and small planters and have a more controlled growth pattern. They typically reach about 3-4 feet tall and produce all their fruit at the same time. On the contrary, indeterminate plants grow wildly and continuously, making them better for large gardens. These types of plants need a sturdy trellis and good support to ensure they don’t flop over and will produce fruit until winter if healthy.

Choose the Right Gardening Location

If you’re growing determinate tomatoes, you have more flexibility as far as location goes. However, you’ll want to ensure you’re using the right kind of planter. A plastic pot with lots of drainage works best to keep the soil moist and the roots healthy. Choosing the size and shape of your planter comes down to the tomatoes you’re growing. Roma and patio tomatoes are a popular choice that works well in medium-sized pots and can be stored in small spaces like patios and porches.

Develop a Watering Schedule

Watering is key to your plant’s growth. While the general rule of thumb is 1-2 inches of water per week, you may need to adjust the frequency based on the environment. Planted pots are notorious for drying out faster, especially in the sun, so it’s best to check the soil often to be sure they stay moist. Watering the plants from the bottom as opposed to the top will also help with water retention and keep and permeate nutrients at the soil level.

Monitor the Sun Exposure

Like all fruit-bearing plants, tomatoes need lots of sun to ripen. But this can be tricky, as too much exposure can cause the fruit to burn or rot and the roots to dry out. Opt for an area that provides maximum sunlight for 6-8 hours a day, and be ready to change the location of the pots if temperatures get too high. If your plants are in the ground, investing in shades and umbrellas to flank the area can be useful.

Prune with a Purpose

Think of this as the grooming step for your plants. By keeping the stalks free of pests and tiny buds, you can ensure that your plants thrive throughout the season. Pruning the dead leaves from the plant and around its bottom will help prevent disease and allow air to get to the roots. This grooming step also applies to any companion plants nearby, such as marigolds and basil, which are great for drawing pollinators to your tomato flowers.