Skip to content

Top Navigation

MyRecipes MyRecipes
  • Course
  • Baking
  • Global
  • Healthy
  • Favorite Ingredients
  • Holidays and Occasions
  • Quick and Easy
  • Convenience Recipes
  • BBQ and Grilling
  • How To
  • Extra Crispy
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Register
  • Recipe Box this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore MyRecipes

MyRecipes MyRecipes
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

      55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

      Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Read More
    • The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

      The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

      Trust me, it’s so worth it. Read More
    • 65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

      65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

      From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time.  Read More
  • Course

    Course

    See All Course
    • Best Appetizer Recipes...Ever
    • Best Drink Recipes for Any Occasion
    • Salad Recipes
    • The Ultimate Guide to Sensational Sides
    • Soup and Stew Recipes
    • Easy Entertaining for Everyone
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Main Dishes and Entrées
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Baking

    Baking

    See All Baking
    • Bread Recipes
    • Our Most-Loved Cake Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Pie Recipes
  • Global

    Global

    See All Global
    • Spanish Recipes
    • Thai Recipes
    • Vietnamese Recipes
    • Middle Eastern Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Malaysian Recipes
    • Korean Recipes
    • Japanese Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Indian Recipes
    • Greek Recipes
    • French Recipes
    • Chinese Recipes
    • African Recipes
    • American Recipes
    • Cajun and Creole Recipes
    • Caribbean Recipes
    • South American Recipes
    • Southern Recipes
    • German Recipes
  • Healthy

    Healthy

    See All Healthy
    • Easy, Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfasts
    • Healthy Dinners
    • Healthy Desserts
    • Diabetic Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Diet and Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Low Carbohydrate Recipes
    • Low Cholesterol Recipes
    • Low Fat Recipes
    • Low Sodium Recipes
    • Low Calorie Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Favorite Ingredients

    Favorite Ingredients

    See All Favorite Ingredients
    • The Ultimate Guide to Chicken
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Cheese Recipes
    • Chocolate Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Shrimp Recipes
  • Holidays and Occasions

    Holidays and Occasions

    See All Holidays and Occasions
    • A Foodie's Guide to Halloween Recipes
    • The Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide
    • Hanukkah Recipes
    • Your Ultimate Christmas Recipe Guide
    • Our Most Festive New Year's Recipes
    • Best-Ever Super Bowl Sunday Recipes
    • Best Valentine's Day Recipes
    • Mardi Gras Recipes
    • The Ultimate Guide to Easter Recipes
    • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
    • Labor Day Recipes
    • The Ultimate Fourth of July Guide
    • Memorial Day Recipes
    • Touchdown-Worthy Tailgate Recipes
    • Wedding and Shower Recipes
  • Quick and Easy

    Quick and Easy

    See All Quick and Easy
    • 15-Minute Recipes for Busy Home Cooks
    • 5 Ingredients or Less
    • Dinner Tonight
    • No-Cook Recipes
    • 45-Minute Recipes
  • Convenience Recipes

    Convenience Recipes

    See All Convenience Recipes
    • Budget-Friendly Recipes
    • Our Top Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Our Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • BBQ and Grilling

    BBQ and Grilling

    See All BBQ and Grilling
    • Grilled Beef Recipes
    • Grilled Fish Recipes
    • Grilled Shrimp Recipes
    • Grilled Chicken Recipes
    • Grilled Pork Recipes
    • Grilled Vegetable Recipes
  • How To

    How To

    See All How To
    • 7 Ways With...
    • Videos
    • Ingredients and Tools
    • Kitchen Cleaning
  • Extra Crispy
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Register
  • Recipe Box this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Best Your Best Chef-Self: The Complete How-To Guide
  3. 8 Tips for Growing Tomatoes

8 Tips for Growing Tomatoes

Updated February 27, 2013
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Credit: Ralph Lee Anderson; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Southern Living’s Grumpy Gardener is a tomato-growing expert. Steve Bender shares these tips and tricks for growing juicy, perfect tomatoes.

Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

What time of the year is best for tomato planting?

What time of the year is best for tomato planting?
Credit: Van Chaplin

After your last frost in spring and at least 60 days before your first frost in fall.

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

How do you prepare the soil for tomato planting?

How do you prepare the soil for tomato planting?
Credit: Van Chaplin

Tomatoes like moist, well-drained soil that contains lots of organic matter, such as composted cow manure, chopped leaves, kitchen compost, and peat moss. The soil should be slightly acidic (pH 6.5). If pH is lower than this, add lime to raise it.

2 of 8

3 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

What is your favorite variety to grow?

Tomatoes

I like any tomato that will make my wife happy. She loves the taste of 'Cherokee Purple,' an heirloom type, so that's one I plant.

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

What are some of the easier varieties to grow?

June - July
Credit: Van Chaplin

All-America Winners tend to be easy for most people, because they're bred to grow well all over the country. If I had to recommend just one for beginners, it would be 'Celebrity.' If you like cherry tomatoes, plant 'Sweet Million.' It's well-named.

4 of 8

5 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Do you recommend starting with seeds or transplanting?

Do you recommend starting with seeds or transplanting?
Credit: Ralph Anderson, Van Chaplin

I always start with transplants for two reasons — I get a head start on the harvest and I'm lazier than my cat.

5 of 8

6 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

What maintenance do you suggest for keeping tomato plants happy?

What maintenance do you suggest for keeping tomato plants happy?
Credit: Ralph Anderson, Van Chaplin

There are two main classes of tomatoes — determinate, which are bushy, and indeterminate, which are vining. Vining tomatoes need a support, like a big, strong tomato cage, to grow on. Keep ripening tomatoes off of the ground. Mulch under the plants and don't wet the foliage when you water. Pick off any yellowing or spotted leaves and throw them in the trash.

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

How do you know when they are ripe?

How do you know when they are ripe?
Credit: Oxmoor House

They should be fully colored and very slightly soft. But the real test is when you grab the tomato and give it a little twist. If it comes off easily, it's ripe.

7 of 8

8 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

What is your secret for growing perfect, tasty tomatoes?

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Credit: Ralph Lee Anderson; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Prepare the soil before planting; choose varieties that do well in your area (heat-tolerant ones for places with long, hot summers; early-bearing ones for places with short summers); plant in full sun; and give the plants plenty of water during hot, dry spells.

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 8 What time of the year is best for tomato planting?
    2 of 8 How do you prepare the soil for tomato planting?
    3 of 8 What is your favorite variety to grow?
    4 of 8 What are some of the easier varieties to grow?
    5 of 8 Do you recommend starting with seeds or transplanting?
    6 of 8 What maintenance do you suggest for keeping tomato plants happy?
    7 of 8 How do you know when they are ripe?
    8 of 8 What is your secret for growing perfect, tasty tomatoes?

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email
    MyRecipes

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright MyRecipes. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.myrecipes.com

    Sign in

    View image

    8 Tips for Growing Tomatoes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.