Plant Journal: Tomatoes- 10 Helpful Tips for Your Garden
Tomorrow, I am going to Dallas and plan to pick up some heirloom tomato seeds. I have already purchased the grow lights and heat mats.
While I feel a bit behind, I am equally excited to get started!
Details about
Variety/Seed Information
Date Started: 2/10/2025
Planting Depth & Spacing
- When transplanting seedlings, bury them up to the first set of true leaves to encourage a strong root system.
- Indeterminate (vining) types need at least 24–36 inches between plants to allow for proper airflow and growth.
- Proper spacing helps prevent disease and ensures each plant gets enough sunlight.
watering schedule
- Depending on weather conditions, tomatoes need about 1–2 inches of water per week. Water should be used deeply and at the base of the plant rather than overhead to prevent disease.
- In hot climates (Texas, baby), they may need daily watering, especially if grown in containers.
- Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and reduce evaporation.
- The best time to water is early morning, allowing plants to absorb moisture before the day’s heat.
fertilization information
- Start by mixing compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting to provide a nutrient-rich foundation.
- Once plants are established, use a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer (5-10-10 or 10-20-10) to encourage strong root and fruit development.
- Apply fertilizer when the first flowers appear and then every 2–3 weeks during the growing season.
- Too much nitrogen leads to lush foliage but fewer tomatoes, so avoid over-fertilizing.
- For an organic boost, consider using fish emulsion, bone meal, or compost tea to support healthy growth.
Sunlight
Tomatoes are sun-loving plants and need at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce a strong yield.
- Aim for 8–10 hours, if possible, for optimal growth and maximum fruit production.
- Morning sunlight is especially beneficial, as it helps dry the leaves quickly and reduces the risk of fungal diseases. It’s best to put them towards the east.
- In hotter climates, providing some afternoon shade can help prevent heat stress, but in most cases, full sun is best.
Pests
This one is a bit of a doozie but well worth the read.
Tomatoes attract several pests that can damage leaves, stems, and fruit. Identifying these pests early and using a mix of preventative measures and organic or chemical controls will help keep your plants healthy.
1. Tomato Hornworms
- Signs: Large green caterpillars with a horn-like tail, munching on leaves and stems, leaving behind bare branches.
- Control: Handpick them off the plants and drop them in soapy water. Encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps, ladybugs, or birds. Applying BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) can also help.
2. Aphids
- Signs: Tiny green, black, or white soft-bodied insects clustering on new growth, causing curling leaves and sticky residue (honeydew).
- Control: Spray with a strong stream of water to knock them off. Use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or introduce ladybugs and lacewings to eat them.
3. Whiteflies
- Signs: Tiny white flying insects that scatter when disturbed, leaving behind sticky honeydew and weakening plants.
- Control: Yellow sticky traps can catch adults. Neem oil or insecticidal soap helps break the life cycle. Introduce predatory insects like green lacewings.
4. Cutworms
- Signs: Seedlings or young transplants cut off at the base overnight.
- Control: Use collars made from cardboard or plastic around stems to prevent them from reaching the plant. Diatomaceous earth around the base of plants can deter them.
5. Spider Mites
- Signs: Tiny, red or brown mites creating fine webs on the undersides of leaves, causing yellowing and speckling.
- Control: Rinse plants with water, then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Increasing humidity around plants can help reduce their population.
6. Stink Bugs
- Signs: Brown or green shield-shaped bugs that cause yellow, sunken spots on fruit.
- Control: Handpick them or use row covers to prevent infestation. Kaolin clay spray can help deter them.
7. Slugs and Snails
- Signs: Large holes in leaves and fruit, along with slimy trails.
- Control: Use beer traps, diatomaceous earth, or crushed eggshells around plants to create a rough surface that deters them. Handpick in the evening.
8. Flea Beetles
- Signs: Tiny, jumping black beetles that leave shotgun hole patterns in leaves, affecting young plants the most.
- Control: Floating row covers can help protect young plants. Diatomaceous earth or neem oil works as a deterrent.
Preventative Measures
- Companion planting: Grow basil, marigolds, or nasturtiums nearby to repel pests.
- Mulching: Use straw or wood chips to prevent soil-dwelling pests from reaching plants.
- Crop rotation: Avoid planting tomatoes in the same spot year after year to reduce pest buildup.
- Healthy plants: Stressed plants attract pests, so keep tomatoes well-fed, watered, and pruned properly.
Using natural predators, physical barriers, and organic solutions, you can effectively manage pests without resorting to harsh chemicals!
Days to Germination & Maturity
Germination Time
Tomato seeds typically germinate in 5–10 days, depending on soil temperature and moisture. For the fastest germination:
- Keep the soil between 70–85°F (21–29°C).
- Use a heat mat if temperatures are cooler.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Days to Maturity
The time from transplanting to harvest varies by variety:
- Early-season tomatoes: 50–65 days (e.g., Early Girl, Glacier)
- Mid-season tomatoes: 65–80 days (e.g., Celebrity, Better Boy)
- Late-season tomatoes: 80–100+ days (e.g., Brandywine, Cherokee Purple)
For seed-starting to harvest, expect about 100–120 days, depending on variety and growing conditions. Indeterminate tomatoes will continue producing until frost, while determinate varieties will mature all at once.
companion planting
Best Companion Plants for Tomatoes
- Basil – One of the best companions for tomatoes! It repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms, plus some gardeners believe it improves the flavor of tomatoes.
- Marigolds – These bright flowers deter nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting pollinators.
- Nasturtiums – A great trap crop that attracts aphids away from tomatoes. They also deter whiteflies and squash bugs.
- Onions, Garlic, and Chives – Their strong scent deters pests like aphids and spider mites while also preventing fungal diseases.
- Carrots – They help aerate the soil and grow well beneath tomato plants without competing for nutrients.
- Borage – Attracts beneficial pollinators and repels hornworms and other pests. It also adds trace minerals to the soil.
- Lettuce and Spinach – These leafy greens use space efficiently, grow well in the shade of tomato plants, and help keep weeds down.
- Beans and Peas – Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, helping tomatoes grow stronger and healthier.
What Not to Plant Near Tomatoes
- Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Cauliflower) – These plants compete for nutrients and stunt tomato growth.
- Corn – Attracts similar pests, such as corn earworms and tomato hornworms.
- Fennel – Releases compounds that inhibit tomato growth.
- Dill – Young dill can be beneficial, but mature dill can stunt tomato growth.
- Potatoes and Eggplant – These nightshades share similar diseases with tomatoes, increasing the risk of blight and pests.
Growth and Health
This is general information but I will update it as the season goes on:
- After germination, seedlings develop their first set of true leaves, signaling they are ready to transplant once they are about 6–8 inches tall.
- As they grow, tomatoes require strong support, such as cages, stakes, or trellises, to keep their vines from sprawling and to protect the fruit from soil-borne diseases.
- Pruning suckers (the small shoots between the main stem and branches) on indeterminate varieties can improve airflow and direct energy toward fruit production, while determinate varieties require less pruning since they grow to a set size.
- A tomato plant’s health depends on proper care and disease prevention.
- Yellowing leaves can indicate nutrient deficiencies, while cracked fruit is usually caused by irregular watering.
- Inspecting for pests such as aphids, hornworms, and whiteflies helps catch infestations early.
- By maintaining a balanced environment, tomato plants will produce healthy, flavorful fruit throughout the season.
Taste & Cooking Notes
- Cooking tomatoes deepens their natural sweetness, so roasting, slow-cooking, or caramelizing them in a pan can bring out their best flavors.
- If a sauce tastes too acidic, adding a pinch of sugar, grated carrot, or a splash of cream can mellow it out.
- Conversely, a squeeze of lemon or vinegar can brighten up a dull tomato-based dish.
- Pairing tomatoes with herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme enhances their natural flavors, while garlic and onions add depth. Cooking tomatoes in olive oil helps absorb and amplify their rich umami taste.
Lessons Learned About the Tomato & Next Season’s Ideas
Coming Soon!
