Tomato Plant Care Guide

There’s nothing quite like picking and eating a juicy, sun-ripened tomato straight from the vine. Once you’ve enjoyed fresh, homegrown tomatoes, it’s hard to go back to store-bought. Here’s a basic guide for planting, growing, and harvesting thriving tomato plants in your garden.

Plant spacing

• Tomato plant spacing depends on the type of tomato: determinate or indeterminate, and how they are grown (staked, caged, or free-growing). Generally, tomatoes can be spaced 12-18 inches apart.

Light requirements

• Tomato plants require a significant amount of sunlight, typically around 6-8 hours per day for optimal yields and sweeter fruits.

Watering

• Directly water the soil around the tomato plant. Do not spray the plants from above. Watering the foliage of tomato plants can cause disease. Water deeply at least once a week for in-ground plants, more for potted plants.

Harvesting

• Harvest when the tomato is ripe, or slightly before, for optimal flavor and storage. Gently twist the tomato off the vine at the stem, ensuring you're not just pulling on the fruit.