How to Grow and Harvest Tomatoes

Few things taste more like summer than a homegrown tomato - warm from the sun, bursting with sweetness, and perfectly juicy. Whether you’re growing big heirlooms or tiny cherry varieties, tomatoes are the heart of every garden. With a little care and the right setup, they’ll reward you with baskets of vibrant fruit all season long.

Choosing Your Tomato Type

There’s a tomato for every taste and space. Before planting, decide what you want from your harvest.

Slicing Tomatoes: Big, juicy, perfect for sandwiches. Try ‘Brandywine,’ ‘Beefsteak,’ or ‘Cherokee Purple.’
Cherry & Grape Tomatoes: Small, sweet, and super-productive. Great for snacking. Try ‘Sungold,’ ‘Sweet Million,’ or ‘Black Cherry.’
Paste Tomatoes: Meaty, low in water, ideal for sauces. Look for ‘Roma,’ ‘San Marzano,’ or ‘Amish Paste.’
Compact or Patio Varieties: Perfect for containers and small gardens. Try ‘Tiny Tim,’ ‘Patio Princess,’ or ‘Bush Early Girl.’

When and Where to Plant

Tomatoes crave heat and sunshine. Wait until nighttime temps stay above 55°F (13°C) before planting outdoors.

Sunlight: Full sun—at least 6–8 hours daily.
Soil: Rich, well-draining, slightly acidic (pH 6–6.8). Add compost or aged manure for extra nutrients.
Spacing: 18–24 inches apart for bush types, 24–36 inches for vining (indeterminate) types.

Plant tomatoes deeply - bury two-thirds of the stem. Those buried nodes will grow new roots, giving you stronger plants.

Watering and Feeding

Consistent watering is key for plump, crack-free fruit.

Water at the base, not the leaves, to prevent disease.
Aim for 1–1½ inches per week, more during hot spells.
Mulch with straw or compost to retain moisture and keep soil temperatures even.

Feed with compost tea or an organic tomato fertilizer every 2–3 weeks once flowering begins.

Pruning and Support

For tall, vining varieties, use sturdy cages, stakes, or trellises. Remove the small shoots (suckers) that grow between the main stem and branches to focus energy on fruit instead of foliage.

Bush types need less pruning but still benefit from airflow around the leaves.

Harvesting Tomatoes

Tomatoes ripen from the inside out, so don’t panic if they’re still green at first! Pick when the fruit feels slightly firm and fully colored.

For sweeter flavor: Leave tomatoes on the vine until deep red (or their final shade).
For quicker ripening: Pick them at the first blush of color and finish indoors on a sunny windowsill.

Never refrigerate fresh tomatoes - it dulls the flavor. Keep them at room temperature and use within a few days for the best taste.

🍅 Food Tips & Ideas

Slice and drizzle with olive oil, basil, and a pinch of sea salt for a classic garden snack.
Roast cherry tomatoes with garlic for a rich pasta sauce.
Turn overripe ones into homemade ketchup or tomato jam.

⚠️ Cautions

Avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal diseases like blight.
Rotate tomato crops yearly to prevent soil-borne issues.
Keep away from walnut trees - their roots release chemicals that stunt tomatoes.