Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum · Vegetable

The most loved crop in home gardens. It wants heat and sun and cannot tolerate frost. A single well-kept plant can give several pounds of fruit over the summer; it grows in containers too, as long as the pot is deep.

Care at a glance

Light

Full sun, 6–8 hours a day

Water

1–2 in per week, at the soil, not the leaves

Soil

Well-drained, rich in organic matter, pH 6.2–6.8

Temperature

Best 70–85 °F; growth stops below 50 °F

Spacing

18–24 in in the row, 36 in between rows

Container

At least 5 gallons, 12 in deep

Harvest

60–85 days after transplanting (estimated)

Lifespan

Annual

When?

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost. Move seedlings outside once nights stay above 50 °F and the soil has warmed. In mild coastal areas this is usually late April to May; in colder inland areas mid-May to early June (estimated).

Step by step

1. Sow seeds 1/4 in deep in moist seed-starting mix; they sprout in 5–10 days at 70–80 °F.
2. Move seedlings to individual pots once they have 2–3 true leaves.
3. Harden off for a week before planting out, leaving them outside a little longer each day.
4. Plant deep, burying part of the stem; new roots form along the buried section.
5. Put in stakes or cages at planting time for tall (indeterminate) varieties.
6. Cover the soil with 2–3 in of mulch to hold moisture and reduce soil splash.
7. Switch to a potassium-rich feed once flowering starts; too much nitrogen means leaves, not fruit.
8. Pick when fully colored; in cool weather fruit also ripens indoors.

Common problems

Pets

Leaves and stems are harmful to cats and dogs; ripe fruit is generally not a concern. If in doubt, ask your vet.

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