The Ultimate Guide to Terrific Tomatoes 🍅

There's nothing quite like the taste of a tomato picked fresh from your own garden—it's the true taste of summer! Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding plants to grow at home. With a little know-how, you'll be on your way to a bountiful harvest.

Let's dig in and grow something delicious!

Which Tomato is Right for You?

Tomatoes generally fall into two main categories, and knowing the difference will help you plan your garden space.

Determinate (Bush Tomatoes): These plants grow to a compact, fixed size and produce most of their fruit in a short window of time. They're perfect for container gardening or for gardeners who plan on canning or making sauce.
Indeterminate (Vining Tomatoes): These varieties will keep growing and producing fruit all season long until the first frost. They require staking or caging to support their vigorous growth.

Popular types include Cherry tomatoes for snacking, Roma for sauces, and big Beefsteak varieties for slicing onto sandwiches.

Planting for a Strong Start

The secret to great tomatoes is giving them a strong foundation.

When to Plant: Wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm.

Where to Plant: Tomatoes are sun worshippers. Choose the sunniest spot in your garden—they need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

How to Plant (The Secret Trick):

Dig a hole deeper than the plant's container.
Gently pinch off the lowest sets of leaves from the tomato stem.
Place the plant in the hole and bury it deep, right up to the first set of remaining leaves. The buried part of the stem will sprout new roots, creating a much stronger, more resilient plant!
Water well after planting.

✨ Florabella Tip: In the app, add your new tomato plant and make a note in its profile about how deep you planted it!

A Routine for Ripe Rewards

Consistent care is what turns a good tomato plant into a great one.

Watering: This is critical. Water deeply and consistently at the base of the plant, aiming for about 1-2 inches of water per week. Inconsistent watering is the primary cause of cracked fruit and blossom-end rot.
Feeding: Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Use a fertilizer formulated for vegetables or tomatoes every 2-4 weeks once the plant starts setting fruit.
Support: For indeterminate (vining) types, place a stake or cage around the plant at the time of planting. Putting it in later can damage the roots.
Mulching: A layer of organic mulch will help retain soil moisture and keep weeds down.

✨ Florabella Tip: Tomato watering is crucial. Set a recurring reminder in your Florabella calendar so you never miss a soak.

To Prune or Not to Prune?

You may notice little shoots, often called "suckers," growing in the joint where a branch meets the main stem.

For indeterminate varieties, pinching off these suckers is beneficial. It improves air circulation (which helps prevent disease) and directs the plant's energy into producing bigger, better fruit instead of more leaves.

For determinate varieties, it's best to leave the suckers on, as they will also produce fruit.

Common Tomato Troubles

Blossom-End Rot: A dark, sunken spot on the bottom of the fruit. This isn't a disease, but a calcium uptake issue caused by inconsistent watering. The solution? Water more regularly!
Hornworms: Large, green caterpillars that can devour leaves overnight. They can be hard to spot, but the best defense is to simply pick them off by hand when you see them.

✨ Florabella Tip: Snap a photo of any pests or spots with the Garden Journal feature. Tracking issues helps you identify patterns and solve problems quickly.

Enjoy those sun-ripened rewards!