When to Plant: Plant tomatoes after the last danger of frost has passed. Plants will do better as days become more consistently warm. Harden off young plants by placing them outdoors a few days before planting.

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Light: Full Sun (Pot varieties tolerate part sun, but need at least 6+ hours of light/day to fruit.)

Soil: Well-drained soil is best, but tomatoes can tolerate heavier soils. If planting in a container, use general-purpose potting mix.

Water deeply when the top 3-4” of soil or potting mix is dry.

Cracking in tomato skins can be genetic, but is largely controlled by moisture levels in the soil. Ensure blemish free tomatoes with a regular watering routine.

If planted in a container, try a slow-release fertilizer for easy care, following the recommended bottle rates. Sometimes, potting mixes incorporate slow release fertilizer that lasts for 6 months.

Fertilize with a side dressing of granular fertilizer when first planting in the garden and again when plants begin to set fruit. After fruit set begins, fertilize every 2-4 weeks. Watering the granular in deeply after each application.

Avoid using high levels of nitrogen by selecting a fertilizer such as 5-10-10 to support foliage without inhibiting fruit set.

Tomatoes can be harvested at any point after reaching a mature size. Harvesting fruit a touch on the green side can protect the fruit from insects, birds and blemish. Fruits will ripen inside on the countertop and still have the same juicy flavor.

Tomato hornworms are an inevitable pest to come across in the garden each June. Be on the lookout! If you notice leaves starting to disappear quickly, you’ll have to play a game of I spy to find all the caterpillars and manually remove them.

A Note on Temperature—As tomatoes hail from the tropics, they require temperatures between 75-95 F to have the best fruit set. Too low or too high can reap a fruitless plant. Select varieties/hybrids for their heat resistance.