When planting something in the garden, we focus on factors like light, temperature, water, and fertilization, but plant spacing is rarely mentioned. Yet, it’s actually a crucial factor that directly impacts the growth of the fruits or vegetables you’re trying to grow.
In this article, I’ll be shedding some light on the importance of plant spacing in the garden and discussing the ideal spacing for different kinds of tomato varieties.
Why Spacing Matters For Tomato Plants
Spacing matters for tomato plants as it allows for proper, undisturbed air circulation which helps keep foliage dry and limits fungal growth that thrives in suffocating humid conditions.
When spaced properly, tomato plants can receive adequate sunlight which they need plenty of to thrive and produce good yields.
In the simplest words, proper spacing matters because it’s a solid ticket to healthier tomato plant growth and legitimately higher yields.
Determining The Right Spacing For Different Tomato Varieties
Determinate Tomatoes:
Determinate tomatoes require plenty of space to grow and spread well. This means a minimum of 20-26 inches apart in rows that are each about 4-5 feet apart. The ideal spacing, however, can also depend on the variety of determinate tomatoes you’re planting, so just keep that in mind.
Indeterminate Tomatoes:
Fortunately or unfortunately, indeterminate tomatoes require a lot more space than determinate ones. They have a longer growing season and grow taller than determinate varieties.
For the most part, the right spacing for indeterminate tomatoes depends on how you plan to support the tomato plants. If you’re supporting them with a wooden stake, 2-3 feet apart in rows should be plenty, whereas cage-supported indeterminate tomatoes will need up to 4 feet of space between them.
Spacing Based On Growing Methods
In Ground Gardens:
If you’re planting tomatoes in a ground garden, it’s best to space them 20-24 inches apart. This gap should provide plenty of airflow around the plants and give them the freedom to spread properly without creating unnecessary competition in the soil.
In Raised Beds:
When planting tomatoes in raised beds, space them just as you would if planting in the ground, or give them a bit more room. No need to plant too far apart and waste garden space though; anywhere between 18-22 inches apart should work well for most growers.
In Containers:
Although this one ultimately depends on the tomato variety, generally speaking, a space of 12-16 inches between plants in pots should allow for good air circulation while making them more manageable to work with.
Common Spacing Mistakes To Avoid
Final Words
Tomatoes are a staple in any vegetable garden, or at least they were a staple in mine. I still have a large tomato patch in my mom’s backyard garden that produces large yields every year for me and my family to enjoy.
In the early days, I too made mistakes with tomato spacing and often planted them too close together which not only limited yield but the overall size of the fruit as well. Some plants even fell victim to fungal infections due to the restricted airflow that promoted fungal growth. But, a gardener lives and learns; that’s just how gardening is.
