How to Grow Tomatoes at Home (From Seeds and Seedlings)

You’ve probably seen those amazing tomatoes at the grocery store and wondered if you could ever grow them at home. Absolutely!

This guide will help you become a backyard tomato farmer.

We’ll show you how to plant, care for, harvest, and store your tomatoes. In fact, many gardeners find that homegrown tomatoes taste even better than those from the grocery store.

Varieties of Tomatoes

Among the most popular tomato varieties are beefsteak, cherry, and grape tomatoes.

Beefsteak tomatoes are large and can be sliced for use in salads or sandwiches.
Cherry tomatoes are small, round, and often eaten whole. These tomatoes are great for salads or as a snack.
Grape tomatoes are oval and look like small grapes. These tomatoes are great for adding to soups and sauces, or for snacking.

Tomato plants are also classified as determinate or indeterminate.

Determinate tomatoes grow to a certain size and produce most of their fruit over a short period. Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow and produce fruit until frost kills the plant.

Growing Tomatoes From Seeds

You will need to buy quality tomato seeds. These can be purchased at a garden center. You can also save the seeds from fresh tomatoes.

Place 2-3 seeds in a seed starter or container and cover them with about a quarter-inch of soil. Next, mist the top with water.

Place the container in a warm location. Once the seedlings emerge, move them to a sunny window or under grow lights.

Now, be patient. It may take up to ten days for the little seedlings to start emerging.

Planting Seedlings

When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, gently lift them from the soil with a trowel or your bare hands. Then, you can transplant them into a larger container or directly into the ground.

If you’re looking to get a head start on your garden, this is the best option. First, you will need to purchase seedlings from a nursery or garden center.

Look for healthy tomato plant seedlings with green leaves and a sturdy stem. You can also prepare some at-home trays and sow the seeds in them.

Once you’ve chosen your plants or the homegrown seedlings are ready, it’s time to start planting.

Tomatoes thrive in full sun, so ensure you have a spot in your garden that gets ample sunlight. Next, dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the seedling’s roots, and then fill it with soil.

Place the seedling in the hole and cover it with soil, burying part of the stem and leaving only the top few sets of leaves above the ground. This encourages a stronger root system.

Most tomato plants should be spaced 18 to 36 inches apart, depending on the variety. Proper spacing improves air circulation and helps reduce disease problems.

Additionally, water your tomatoes thoroughly to keep them well-hydrated during the growing season.

Now it’s time to support your plants as they grow. Tomatoes thrive when supported by a cage or trellis.

Growing in Containers

You can also plant tomatoes in containers on your porch, balcony, or patio.

Choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep, though containers holding 5 gallons or more are ideal for most tomato varieties. Make sure it has drainage holes.

Next, fill it with a soil-based potting mix and add some organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure.

After that, you can place the tomato plant in the soil. Also, keep the soil moist with regular watering, but avoid wetting the leaves.

Hardening Off

Once the plants are big enough, you can begin hardening them.

This means gradually exposing them to the outdoors so they can get used to the new environment. Do this 7 to 10 days before you plant them outdoors.

Begin by taking them outside for just a few hours each day. Then gradually increase the time they spend outside.

After a few days, they should be able to stay outside all day without any issues.

Best Soil for Growing Tomatoes

Tomatoes grow best in rich, well-draining soil that contains plenty of organic matter.

Before you plant, mix in compost or well-rotted manure. Doing this improves the soil’s structure and fertility.

The ideal soil pH for tomatoes is between 6.2 and 6.8 [1]. Avoid planting in heavy, waterlogged soil. Too much moisture can lead to root problems and diseases.

Healthy soil supplies the nutrients that tomato plants need. This ensures strong growth and leads to an abundant harvest.

How Much Sun Do Tomatoes Need?

Tomatoes are sun-loving plants that need plenty of direct sunlight to thrive. For the best growth and fruit production, choose a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

However, 8 or more hours is even better. Plants grown in too much shade often become weak and produce fewer tomatoes.

If you’re growing tomatoes in containers, place them in the sunniest spot available.

Watering

Tomato plants generally require about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.

That amount varies based on weather conditions and soil type. During hot weather, container-grown tomatoes may require more frequent watering.

To ensure they get enough water, use a watering can or a hose to water each plant directly. If the top inch of soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your tomatoes again.

Ideally, water the plants in the morning so the sun can evaporate any excess moisture. However, if you’re unable to water them in the morning, you can water them in the evening.

Fertilizing

Now that your garden tomatoes are growing, it’s important to fertilize them regularly.

Fertilizing them will help them grow large and strong, ensuring a plentiful harvest of delicious tomatoes.

There are numerous types of tomato fertilizers available, so it is essential to select the one that is best suited to your plants. You can find organic liquid or granular fertilizers.

Compost, compost tea, bone meal, and kelp meal are popular organic options. If using coffee grounds, add them to compost first rather than applying large amounts directly around plants.

Regardless of the fertilizer you use, be sure to read the directions carefully to avoid over-fertilizing.

Pruning

Pruning involves removing suckers, which are small shoots that grow between the main stems and branches. You should also remove any leaves growing near the ground or below the first fruit cluster.

Pinching

Pinching usually refers to removing young suckers or growing tips with your fingers. This can help direct the plant’s energy toward fruit production, especially for indeterminate tomato varieties.

However, be cautious not to pinch too many shoots, as this can reduce the plant’s overall production.

Staking

To support your plants as they grow, consider using stakes or poles to provide stability.

If you have many plants, this is a great option, as it keeps them upright and prevents them from toppling or touching each other.

You can also use tomato towers or cages. These structures are designed to support the plants’ weight and maintain their upright position.

These are also great options if you have limited space or if you are growing tomatoes in containers.

Regardless of the method you use, it is essential to secure or cage your plants before they become too large.

Mulching Tomato Plants

Applying 2 to 3 inches of mulch around tomato plants helps in several ways. It conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and reduces soil-borne diseases.

Mulch also keeps soil from splashing onto the leaves.

Straw, shredded leaves, untreated grass clippings, and compost all make excellent mulches for tomato plants.

Companion Plants for Tomatoes

Companion planting is when you grow certain plants side by side. This practice can help both plants thrive and improve their growth.

Some companion plants attract beneficial insects. They may also repel pests, enhance pollination, or optimize garden space.

Basil

One of the best companion plants for tomatoes is basil.

Many gardeners choose to grow basil next to tomatoes. Basil can help repel specific insect pests and allow for better use of garden space.

Marigolds

Marigolds are another popular choice. Their bright flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects, which help the garden thrive.

They may also deter some garden pests, making them a valuable addition to any garden.

Nasturtiums

These colorful flowers attract pollinators and may also lure aphids away from tomato plants. This helps reduce pest pressure on the plants.

Garlic and Chives

Garlic and chives are commonly planted near tomatoes as well.

Their strong scent may help discourage certain insects, and they also take up very little space in the garden.

Avoid Potatoes

While many plants grow well near tomatoes, it’s generally best to avoid planting them close to potatoes.

Both crops belong to the same plant family and can be affected by some of the same pests and diseases. This connection makes it easier for problems to spread through the garden.

Selecting the right companion plants can lead to a healthier and more productive tomato garden.

Common Tomato Growing Mistakes

Even experienced gardeners make mistakes when growing tomatoes. One of the most common is overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other diseases.

Another mistake is planting tomatoes too close together. Crowded plants have poor air circulation, making them more susceptible to plant diseases.

Failing to provide support, such as cages or stakes, can also cause stems and fruit to rest on the ground. This increases the risk of pests and rot.

Finally, planting tomatoes in a spot that doesn’t get enough sunlight can lead to weak plants and a smaller harvest. When they don’t have enough light, the tomatoes struggle to grow strong and produce less fruit.

Avoiding these mistakes will help your tomato plants stay healthy and productive.

Pests

There are several common garden pests that you may encounter.

One of the most destructive tomato pests is the tomato hornworm. These caterpillars can cause significant damage to tomato plants, eating leaves and even fruit [2].

The Colorado potato beetle is another one. These tiny orange beetles are quick to damage tomato and potato plants.

However, there are steps you can take if you encounter problems with these pests. This article explains how you can control the Colorado potato beetle naturally.

Diseases

Although some diseases can affect tomatoes, most are preventable. Early Blight and Late Blight are the most common.

Early blight causes dark spots on leaves and can eventually affect fruit production. You will notice leaf spotting and yellowing.

Late blight causes water-soaked spots on leaves that eventually turn dark and spread rapidly throughout the plant.

However, you can prevent these diseases by using home remedies and other natural methods. Learn how to naturally prevent and control tomato diseases.

When to Harvest Tomatoes

Once your tomatoes are fully mature, it is time to harvest them. To determine if your tomatoes are ripe, check their color.

The color of ripe tomatoes varies, ranging from deep red to orange, purple, green, yellow, and pink, depending on the variety. They should also smell like ripe tomatoes.

Once those signs are evident, gently grasp the fruit and twist it from the vine. You can also use pruners or garden scissors to clip off the stem at the top of the fruit.

Storing

It’s essential to know how to store fresh tomatoes so you can enjoy them for as long as possible.

For the best flavor, store tomatoes at room temperature. If they become fully ripe and you cannot use them right away, you can refrigerate them for a few days to slow spoilage.

Allow refrigerated tomatoes to return to room temperature before eating.

Learn more about how to preserve tomatoes and other vegetables for the long term.

Takeaway

No matter how you choose to enjoy them, there’s nothing like harvesting your very own homegrown tomatoes! As you can see, tomato farming is not only for experienced gardeners.

Moreover, growing your own tomatoes can save money and give you the satisfaction of knowing exactly how your food was grown.

The tips above will help you get started planting tomatoes outdoors in the garden or in pots.