Tomato Planting Guide
Guidance and Tips for Your Garden’s Success
Our goal is to help you and your garden succeed—and let’s be real: gardening is an art, not a science. Yes, failure is a potential outcome, but so is success! So whether you're a “tomato pro” or if you’re just starting out, here’s a little preparation, planting and maintenance advice for your tomato plants that will help you succeed.
Prepping Your Garden
Before you begin planting, take the time to set up a rich environment for your tomatoes to thrive:
Choose a Sunny Location
Select a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Tomato plants love warmth and sunlight.
Prepare Your Soil
Heirloom tomatoes prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Soil Amendments should make up 1/4 to 1/3 of your soil mix. Mix amendments in with some of your backyard’s soil, and (not required, but suggested) let the mix sit for 5-10 days. Don’t be afraid to plant straight into your backyard soil once you amend it if you’re able— that’s what we do every year!
Here are some of our recommended soils:
Paydirt |
Gold Rush |
Bumper Crop Gardener's Gold Organic Potting Soil |
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A unique blend of chicken manure, redwood sawdust, peat moss and mushroom compost. Adds organic matter to the soil. It helps loosen hard soils, improves water and root penetration and enhances the bacterial action in the soil. Mix into the soil prior to planting flowers, vegetables and shrubs or use as a top cover for newly seeded lawns. |
A natural ground Fir bark blended with 15% composted chicken manure. Adds important long-lasting organic matter to the soil. Improves soil aeration and water penetration. Mix with native soil or use as mulch throughout the garden. |
Our recommendation for potted plants. (Make sure to mix this soil in with 30% of your local soil for better water retention and nutrients!) A blend of sphagnum peat moss, composted hen manure, shellfish, perlite, and very old dark bark. It is also pH adjusted with lime, as needed. This product is perfectly suited for houseplants and all general garden planting. |
Adding Your Plants
Once your garden is prepped and ready, it's time to plant your heirloom tomatoes.
Dig DEEP, Plant Deep
Our plants are between 8 and 18 inches tall! This is optimal to get your plant’s root system established and provide them access to consistent moisture. Dig holes deep so 2/3rd of the plant will be covered and underground. This will provide your plants and optimal start!
Add 1-2 Fertilizers to the Hole
We recommend adding two different types of fertilizer to your soil (one traditional, one organic) right before you place your plant in the hole.
Place around a tablespoon (or a small, loose amount that fits in the palm of your hand) of each fertilizer at the bottom of each plant hole. Use a tomato or veggie fertilizer because it contains the proper nutrients for growth.
Here are our favorite fertilizers:
E.B. Stone Organics "Tomato & Vegetable Food 4-5-3" |
Master Nursery Tomato & Vegetable Food 5-10-10 |
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Our recommended organic fertilizer. Formulated from quality natural organic ingredients for use throughout the vegetable garden. It will contribute to even plant growth without producing excessive foliage at the expense of fruit. Phosphorus helps to ensure the production of high quality fruits. The calcium in this fertilizer aids in preventing disorders and helps correct acidic soil conditions. |
Our recommended chemical fertilizer. Formulated for tomatoes and all types of vegetables. Contains ammonia and organic nitrogen. Contains: 7% Calcium, 2% Iron, 0.12% Zinc, 0.12% Manganese. |
Place and Pack Your Plants
Place your plant in the deep hole you’ve dug, only exposing the top of the plant. Ensure that 2/3rd of the plant is covered and underground. Tomatoes will create roots from any buried stalk portion. More roots means more access to moisture and nutrients and likely a healthier, more robust plant.
You can snip off the lower leaves that go underground, or you can leave them on. We usually leave ours on. Pat the soil around the stem to secure the plant in place.
Cages and Plant Spacing
Since tomatoes are vines, they love to latch onto their surroundings as they grow. Stake or cage your plants to prevent sprawling and to keep fruit off the ground. We like using Texas Tomato Cages, or we have bought and used Concrete Wire from Home Depot to make our own cages.
Caring for Your Plants
Now that your heirloom tomatoes are in the ground, it's crucial to provide them with proper care throughout the growing season:
Watering Cadence
The recommended method for watering tomato plants is deep soaking of the soil around the plant. The cadence of watering your plants should be as follows:
- Water every 4 or 5 days if you’re planting in regular, amended soil.
- If you’re planting in raised beds, water every 3 or 4 days.
- If you’re planting in pots, water every 2 or 3 days.
It is better to under-water your plant than it is to over-water it. It is much easier to recover a plant that is wilted and thirsty than it is to save a plant that has been overwatered. If your tomato plant’s leaves are turning yellow, that is a sign of overwatering.
Protect Against Pests
You will likely have two areas of pest concern: from the ground, and from the air.
To prevent the “ground attack”, rid the area of slugs, snails, earwigs and pillbugs with a pest-management product like SluggoPlus.
To manage the “air attack”, use Neem Oil to kill aphids and whiteflies that may appear as the weather gets warmer.
