How to Grow Tomatoes for Beginners

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If you enjoy gardening, chances are you’ve tried your hand at growing tomatoes. They’re one of the most popular veggies to grow, and for good reason—tomatoes are incredibly versatile! Whether you’re just getting started and looking for tips on how to grow tomatoes for beginners or you’ve been at it for years and want a quick refresher, this guide has got you covered.

Consider adding this to your gardening 101 toolkit, so you can perfect your tomato-growing skills and enjoy a bountiful harvest season after season.

Nothing feels more like summer than seeing tomatoes growing in a garden. The scent of the plants, the vibrant red tomatoes on the vine—it’s pure magic. And if you’ve never tasted a sun-warmed tomato right there in the garden, trust me, you’re missing out on one of life’s simple joys.

That said, growing tomatoes as a new gardener can be a bit of a challenge since they’re a little particular about what they need. Choosing the right variety is a great first step, and from there, they just need a few essentials to thrive.

Yes, tomatoes demand a bit of care and attention, but once you’re biting into your flavorful, home-grown harvest, you’ll know it was all worth it.

Things to Know About Tomatoes

Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum) are a warm-weather crop that requires a long growing time. If you live in a warmer climate, you’ll need to plant seeds in early spring. If you live in a colder climate, you can get a jump on planting by using seedlings.  

When choosing a variety, there are two main types to consider. Determinate tomatoes are bush plants that grow 2 to 3 feet tall and produce all their fruit at once. They’re ideal for small gardens or containers and have a shorter growing season.

Indeterminate tomatoes, on the other hand, are vine plants that keep producing until the first frost. They’re perfect for larger gardens, producing bigger slicing tomatoes in a steady supply throughout the season. Just remember, they’ll need staking to support their growth.

Fun Fact: Tomatoes were once called “love apples”! Early Europeans believed they had aphrodisiac properties, which is how they earned the romantic nickname.

Types of tomatoes:

There are so many wonderful varieties of tomatoes that you can try to grow in your backyard garden. Below is a brief overview of the most popular. If you want more details on the varieties of tomatoes you can read more here. 

• Early Cascade – an early variety that is ready to harvest in about 70 days. It’s an indeterminate variety that produces clusters of tomatoes and is disease-resistant.
• Early Girl – another early, indeterminate variety that produces large tomatoes throughout the season.
• Floramerica – a determinate disease-resistant variety that is ready to harvest in 70-80 days.
• Fantastic – an indeterminate variety that is resistant to both disease and cracking. It’s ready to harvest in 70-80 days and produces a high yield.
• Tomato, Roma VF – determinate, compact tomato that is resistant to wilting. It’s a meaty tomato with few seeds and provides a good yield. This is a good variety for canning and making tomato paste.
• Cherry Tomato Varieties – a few options include Sun Gold, Matt’s Wild Cherry, and Yellow Mini. All are indeterminate varieties that are ready to harvest in 55-60 days. Most are resistant to disease and many are resistant to splitting.
• Large Varieties – these include Beefsteak, Beefmaster, Ponderosa, and Oxheart. While these varieties produce larger tomatoes, they are also more susceptible to disease and cracking.

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How Much to Plant

Tomato plants are super productive and can keep producing throughout the season. For your household, plan on 2-4 slicing tomato plants per person. Want extras for canning? Just add a few more to your garden.

Seed, Bulb, or Plant?

Tomatoes usually start as seeds, but many gardeners prefer buying starter plants from nurseries for a quicker harvest. Starting seeds indoors is another great option if you want full control over quality.

Growing from Seeds – Seeds are budget-friendly but take longer to grow and require patience to get to the garden stage.

Growing from Seedlings – Seedlings save time and give you a head start in the garden. Starting seeds indoors can be pricier since it requires a warm setup, but it’s reusable year after year. Alternatively, buying nursery seedlings is a popular and convenient option, though more expensive than seeds.

Read about how to start tomatoes indoors from seed for tips on building an affordable setup to planting seeds, and nourishing seedlings.

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What You Need to Grow Tomatoes

Tomatoes thrive with plenty of sun and rich, well-draining soil. Start by focusing on your soil, making any necessary improvements so your plants can flourish in the spot you pick.

Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

• When to Plant – Tomatoes love warm weather, so wait until after the last frost to plant them outdoors. If you’re unsure about your area’s frost dates, starting seeds indoors a few weeks beforehand is a great way to get ahead.
• Sun – Tomatoes love the sun and plenty of it. Find a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The more sun, the better your plants will grow and produce fruit.
• Soil – Rich, well-draining soil is key. Mix in organic compost or well-rotted manure to give your tomato plants the nutrients they’ll need to thrive. A slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 is ideal.
• Location – Choose a spot with good air circulation to reduce the risk of diseases. Avoid low-lying areas where water tends to pool, as tomatoes don’t like sitting in soggy soil.

SLCG Pro Tip: To grow tomatoes successfully, it’s important to plant them where you haven’t grown tomatoes or their relatives (like potatoes, eggplant, or peppers) in the past couple of years. Rotating your crops helps prevent soil-borne diseases and keeps your plants healthy.

How to Grow Tomatoes for Beginners

Tomatoes love warm weather and need soil temperatures of at least 60°F to germinate. For faster results, aim for 70°F. If starting seeds indoors, sow them 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, about ½ inch deep in trays.

Once the soil outside warms up, harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week before transplanting.

#1. Temperature

Tomatoes thrive in consistently warm weather. Make sure the soil temperature is at least 60°F and outdoor temperatures are at least 65°F before planting. The warmer it is, the better your plants will grow.

#2. Sun

Tomatoes need a lot of sunlight. Aim for a spot that gets 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to keep your plants happy and productive.

#3. Soil

The ideal soil pH for tomatoes is between 6.2 and 6.8, which helps plants absorb nutrients more effectively. Mix compost or manure into the soil a couple of weeks before planting to give it time to settle, and add a continuous-release fertilizer with calcium to the planting holes. This will ensure your plants get the nutrients they need.

#4. Water

Tomato plants need about an inch of water each week, but it’s better to water deeply and regularly in smaller amounts. This helps prevent issues like blossom end rot (a calcium deficiency) or splitting. On hot days, be sure to check if your plants look wilted—that’s a sign they need extra hydration.

#5. Fertilizing

Enrich the soil with compost or manure two weeks before planting. When planting, add a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to the holes. Avoid using too much nitrogen-based fertilizer, as it promotes leafy growth over fruit production.

Once your tomatoes are about 1 inch in diameter, side-dress the plants with fertilizer every 2–3 weeks, continuing until the first frost.

#6. Support

Tomatoes need support to grow properly. Use stakes, cages, or trellises to keep the plants upright and their fruits off the ground. This not only saves space but also reduces the risk of pests and diseases reaching your plants.

Use tomato cages, tomato stakes, or a trellis system to encourage the plants to grow upward.

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How to Plant Tomatoes

To plant tomatoes successfully, start by choosing a sunny spot that gets plenty of direct sunlight throughout the day. Prepare the soil by digging about 12 inches deep and mixing in compost or manure. Do this at least two weeks before planting to give the soil time to absorb those nutrients. Cover the area while you wait.

The soil temperature should be at least 60°F, though 70°F is ideal. If it’s still too cool, you can lay black plastic over the soil for a week or two to help it warm up faster.

Think about your support system before you plant. Whether you’re using cages, stakes, or trellises, have them ready and plan for the space they’ll take up in your garden.

Planting Seeds

If you’re starting with seeds, plant a few together in small groups about ¼ inch deep. Space the groups at least 12 inches apart. Once the seeds sprout and begin growing, thin out the weaker plants, leaving the strongest ones to grow.

Planting Seedlings

For seedlings, plant them deep, covering up to their lowest leaves. Some gardeners even bury the bottom leaves to help the plant develop a stronger root system. Before planting, dig a trench 3–4 inches deep. This will give the roots plenty of space to spread.

After planting, water thoroughly and stick to a regular watering routine throughout the growing season. If your plants start looking wilted, it’s time to water.

Growing Tips for Tomatoes

• Don’t use a high nitrogen fertilizer; this will promote foliage and delay flowering and fruiting.
• When transplanting, you can add a handful of organic tomato fertilizer or bone meal to the planting hole for more phosphorus.
• Place staking or caging at the time of planting to keep the fruit off the ground and help avoid pests and disease.
• When transplanting seedlings, water well at the time of planting to reduce shock to the roots.
• Cover your tomato beds with a layer of straw, mulch, or grass clippings to prevent weeds.
• It’s best to water tomato plants in the early morning so that they have plenty of moisture throughout the hot summer days.
• Avoid overhead watering and watering in the afternoon, this will help the soil absorb more moisture and reduce disease.
• Mulching a few weeks after transplanting will help the soil retain moisture and keep the soil from splashing water on the leaves.
• Placing flat rocks on the soil next to each plant will help to prevent the water from evaporating out of the soil.
• If flowers aren’t forming or flowers form but don’t fruit, it usually means they’re not getting enough sun or water.

How to Harvest Tomatoes

Leave tomatoes on the vine as long as possible and harvest when they are firm and very red. Gently tug them off the vine without disturbing the plant when they’re ready to be harvested. As they get close to maturity, check the plants daily.

How to Store Tomatoes

Tomatoes are best left on the kitchen counter at room temperature, never refrigerate them as this can spoil the flavor and texture.

If freezing, core fresh, unblemished tomatoes and place them in a freezer bag, still whole. Seal and label the bag and freeze. The skins will slip off as they thaw.

Common Tomato Pests and How to Handle Them

• Aphids – These tiny bugs cluster under leaves. Spray them off with water or use insecticidal soap to keep them in check.
• Flea Beetles – Prevent them with row covers and sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of plants to deter them.
• Cutworms – Protect seedlings by using collars made from cardboard or plastic around the stems.
• Tomato Fruit Worms – Check fruits regularly and remove any affected ones. Use natural predators like ladybugs when possible.
• Slugs – Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around plant stems to stop slugs; it works on contact.
• Spider Mites – Look for fine webs on leaves. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap to treat infestations.
• Whiteflies – Shake plants gently. If you see a swarm, use yellow sticky traps or spray with insecticidal soap.
• Blossom End Rot – Prevent it by ensuring consistent watering and adding calcium to the soil with a tomato-specific fertilizer.
• Blister Beetles – Handpick and remove them from plants or apply an organic insecticide if the infestation is severe.
• Tomato Hornworms – A common pest. Knock them off plants with a strong spray of water or handpick them (with gloves) and drop them into soapy water.

Tips to Avoid Problems

• Water consistently but avoid overwatering if you miss a day.
• Rotate crops every 3 years to reduce soil-borne diseases.
• Use disease-resistant plant varieties whenever possible.
• Keep the soil well-draining and enriched with compost or manure.

Can you Grow Tomatoes in Containers?

Yes, you can grow tomatoes in containers, and it’s so much easier than you might realize. Just a few grow bags, a sunny spot, and a watering routine and you can grow a garden right outside your kitchen door.

1. Pick the Right Container – Use a pot that’s at least 18 inches deep with drainage holes.
2. Choose Your Tomato Variety – Small or determinate (bush) varieties like cherry tomatoes work best for containers.
3. Fill with Good Soil – Use a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost.
4. Plant and Support – Plant your tomato deep, up to the lowest leaves. Add a cage or stake for support.
5. Water Consistently – Containers dry out faster, so check daily and water to keep the soil evenly moist.
6. Fertilize Regularly – Use a tomato-specific fertilizer every couple of weeks to keep them thriving.
7. Give Them Sun – Place the container in a spot that gets at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.

If you want more step-by-step help, read our full guide: How to Grow Tomatoes in Containers, for tips on planting, watering, tending, and harvesting.

Tomato plants can be a little bit challenging to grow for a beginner garden, but by following a few simple tips, planting at the right time, and keeping and eye out for issues and pests, they’ll grow wonderfully in your garden.

Keep this guide bookmarked on how to grow tomatoes for beginners so you can refer to it every time you are ready for spring planting.

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