Are you looking to increase fruit yield in your tomato crop but have no idea where to begin?
Well, worry not! I’ve got some (amazing!) tips for you today that will essentially set you up for tomato harvesting success. But, you must read till the end because some tips interconnect with others and go hand in hand.
With that in mind, let’s dive right into it!
12 Super Tips For Growing Tons Of Tomatoes – Easy Growing Tips!
Prepare Your Tomato Plants For Success:
Tip 1: If you didn’t already know, tomato plants are capable of growing roots along their stems. Therefore, if you bury the stems deeper into the ground, you get a larger, more effective root system.
The correct distance between tomato plants
Tip 2: Planting tomato plants too close together can limit airflow and increase the likelihood of fungal disease and suffocation. It’s important to space out your plants properly for healthier growth.
Tip 3: Applying a layer of mulch around the base of your tomato plants is a great idea as it helps retain soil moisture and stabilizes soil temperature to support safe and steady growth.
Promote Healthy Growth:
Cutting leaf stem of tomato plant in greenhouse
Tip 4: Remove the lower leaves of your tomato plants to allow for better airflow and thorough sunlight exposure. Removing them will also limit any chances of disease since the lower leaves are more likely to get submerged in moisture on the ground.
Tip 5: Pinch off the side shoots of your tomato plants to help them redirect energy into better, more vigorous fruit development.
Staking tomatoes so they don’t touch the ground
Tip 6: As you know, tomato plants can grow quite tall. So, to keep them from falling over and making contact with the ground, support them with stakes or cages.
Tip 7: If you’re having pest issues, consider putting copper strips around your tomato plants to create a sort of barrier. Whenever slugs and snails make contact with these copper strips, an unpleasant chemical reaction takes place that drives them away from the plants.
Master Tomato Watering Techniques:
Watering tomatoes plant in greenhouse garden
Tip 8: Although tomato plants aren’t exactly considered to be very thirsty, they still prefer constant moisture for optimal growth and fruiting. Make a proper watering schedule and stick to it consistently, especially when the weather is turning hotter.
Tip 9: When watering, something very important to keep in mind is to water only the base of the plants and not the leaves. Wet, soggy leaves will drastically increase the risk of fungal disease, which is not what you want.
Tip 10: If you’re looking to give your tomato plants that extra boost, consider mixing in some Epsom salt with the soil. Epsom salt contains high levels of magnesium, a nutrient that can promote healthy plant growth and reduce/delay leaf yellowing by boosting chlorophyll production.
Tomatoes and Marigolds – Companion Planting Working Like A Charm!
Tip 11: Pest issues are common amongst tomato growers. The fruit attracts aphids, spider mites, leaf miners, snails, bugs, and slugs, meaning it’s never really safe out there. To combat this, plant marigolds near your tomato plants or at least in close enough proximity.
Marigolds produce toxic compounds and have a strong scent that pests and insects find incredibly unpleasant. They stay as far away from these plants as possible.
Tip 12: Grow garlic around your tomato plants. Both vegetables thrive in similar growing conditions and the strong, pungent aroma of garlic will protect your tomatoes from pest and insect infestations.
The strong scent of garlic near your tomato plants will put off any mischievous garden monsters eyeing the fruit or foliage, allowing for peaceful, undisturbed growth.
As much as I love growing tomatoes, I have to admit that it’s quite a troublesome crop.
You’ll often experience dryness issues, leaf yellowing, and pest problems with your tomato plants; that’s just how they are.
Yes, they’re simple to plant for beginners and have minimal requirements initially, but as they grow, they can definitely give you more than a few headaches.
Nonetheless, you can surely mitigate most of these issues by staying on top of their care routine and implementing some of the tips we discussed today. Best of luck!
I'm Rita, passionate about flowers, plants and growing my own vegetables at home. I live in an apartment, but I still have my garden, I intend to use all my knowledge to help you also have a lively, happy and productive garden (even in an apartment).
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Hi Anita! Coffee grounds add nitrogen to the soil, which helps tomatoes grow strong and healthy! 🌱 They also improve soil texture and attract beneficial worms. Just sprinkle a thin layer around the base of your plants (too much can make the soil too acidic). 😊🍅
Hi Spencer! That’s exciting! Retirement is a great time to dive into gardening! 🌿
If your tomato plants are flowering but not producing fruit, it might be due to lack of pollination, too much nitrogen, or high temperatures. Try gently shaking the flowers or using a small brush to hand-pollinate. Also, cutting back on nitrogen-heavy fertilizer and making sure they get at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily can help. Hope you get lots of tomatoes soon! 🍅😊
Hi Rita…’Is there a flowering plant you can recommend to plant at our grave site that the deer won’t eat? We have large urns there and when we plant they eat the flowers. I have. tried begonias, geraniums, hosta, but they nip it down to nothing!
Hi Eve! 😊 That’s such a thoughtful question. For urns at a grave site where deer are a problem, I’d recommend lantana, marigolds, dusty miller, snapdragons, or salvia, they’re all deer-resistant and do well in containers. You could also mix in some lavender or rosemary, which have scents deer tend to avoid. I hope one of these works beautifully for your space. Let me know if you’d like help picking a combo! 🌸
How do you combat tomato horn worms or (tobacco worms). These ultimately kill my plants every year. I’ve tried need oil, seven dust. They are hard to find and when I do they a=e already big and have caused damage.
Hi Marlene! Tomato hornworms can be tough, but there are a few ways to keep them under control! Handpicking – It’s not easy, but it’s effective. Since they blend in well, check at dusk or early morning for chewed leaves or droppings to spot them. Introduce beneficial insects – Parasitic wasps naturally help control them. Encourage natural predators – Birds love to snack on them!
But, next time, I recommend you try companion planting. It has been a game-changer for me! I have an article on the best companion plants for tomatoes, it’s worth a try! 😊🍅✨
Hi Rita ;
I plant lots of tomato plants each year just outside of Woodstock , Ontario and over the years my wife and I were battling the tomato horn worms . Our luck changed a few years ago when I read an article in a farm paper that said to plant Borage with tomato plants to keep Horn worms away . So we planted Borage and Marigolds with our tomato plants and have not seen a single Horn Worm or had any damage from them in 3 seasons . We are going to be trying the Epsom Salt and coffee tips this year . Thanks
Hi David! That’s amazing, thank you so much for sharing your experience! 😊 Borage and marigolds are such powerful companions for tomatoes, and it’s awesome to hear how well they worked for you. I’m excited you’re trying the Epsom salt and coffee tips too, wishing you another fantastic tomato season! 🍅✨
Hi Glenn! Baking soda reduces soil acidity, which can help tomatoes taste sweeter! 🍅 Just sprinkle a little (1 tbsp) around the base of the plant and water it in. Use sparingly to avoid altering soil balance too much! 😊🌿
Hi Laurie! 😊 Squirrels can be a real challenge, especially when tomatoes start ripening! Here are a few ways to keep them out of your raised beds:
Physical barriers – Use bird netting, chicken wire, or even a DIY cage around your plants.
Spicy deterrents – Sprinkle cayenne pepper or spray a mix of water and hot sauce on the plants (harmless but effective!)
Motion-activated sprinklers – A quick surprise spray can keep them away.
Decoy food – Try placing a small dish of water and less-desirable food (like corn or nuts) away from your garden to distract them.
Hope this helps keep your tomatoes safe! 🍅✨ Let me know if you need more tips! 😊
Hi Linda! 😊 It’s best to use them carefully and only when needed, not all at once. Each one helps with something different, like coffee grounds for nitrogen, Epsom salt for magnesium, and baking soda to reduce soil acidity.
If your plant has yellowing leaves, that might mean a nitrogen or magnesium issue, so Epsom salt and Coffee grounds could help. Too much of anything can stress the plant, so start small and see how it responds! 🌿🍅✨
Hi Diane! Blight is so tough, I totally get it! 😣 A few things that really help are rotating where you plant your tomatoes each year, watering at the base (not the leaves), and mulching to stop soil from splashing up. I also prune the lower leaves early to get better airflow. If it’s really bad, a copper fungicide can help too. And if you can, growing blight-resistant varieties makes a huge difference! 🍅🌿✨
Hi Pat! Great question! 😊 For potted tomatoes, use a well-draining, nutrient-rich mix like:
🌱 1 part high-quality potting mix;
🌿 1 part compost (for nutrients);
🪵 1 part perlite or coconut coir (for drainage and moisture balance).
You can also mix in a handful of worm castings or a slow-release organic fertilizer to give your plant a strong start. Happy tomato growing! 🍅✨
Hi Debbie! Yes, used coffee grounds are best! 😊 They’re less acidic than fresh grounds and still rich in nutrients like nitrogen, which tomatoes love. Just mix a small amount into the soil or compost, or sprinkle lightly around the base (too much can compact the soil). Great for giving your tomatoes a gentle boost! 🍅🌿☕
coffee grounds for what???
Hi Anita! Coffee grounds add nitrogen to the soil, which helps tomatoes grow strong and healthy! 🌱 They also improve soil texture and attract beneficial worms. Just sprinkle a thin layer around the base of your plants (too much can make the soil too acidic). 😊🍅
Thank you very much for all these informative tips. I’m going to try them with my tomato crop.
Hi Bill,
That’s wonderful,
Good luck! 🍅
Great tips, recently retired so now I have the time to grow my own garden, have grown some tomatoes plants but they only flower but no tomatoes
Hi Spencer! That’s exciting! Retirement is a great time to dive into gardening! 🌿
If your tomato plants are flowering but not producing fruit, it might be due to lack of pollination, too much nitrogen, or high temperatures. Try gently shaking the flowers or using a small brush to hand-pollinate. Also, cutting back on nitrogen-heavy fertilizer and making sure they get at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily can help. Hope you get lots of tomatoes soon! 🍅😊
Hi Rita…’Is there a flowering plant you can recommend to plant at our grave site that the deer won’t eat? We have large urns there and when we plant they eat the flowers. I have. tried begonias, geraniums, hosta, but they nip it down to nothing!
Hi Eve! 😊 That’s such a thoughtful question. For urns at a grave site where deer are a problem, I’d recommend lantana, marigolds, dusty miller, snapdragons, or salvia, they’re all deer-resistant and do well in containers. You could also mix in some lavender or rosemary, which have scents deer tend to avoid. I hope one of these works beautifully for your space. Let me know if you’d like help picking a combo! 🌸
Hi Rita,
How do you combat tomato horn worms or (tobacco worms). These ultimately kill my plants every year. I’ve tried need oil, seven dust. They are hard to find and when I do they a=e already big and have caused damage.
Hi Marlene! Tomato hornworms can be tough, but there are a few ways to keep them under control!
Handpicking – It’s not easy, but it’s effective. Since they blend in well, check at dusk or early morning for chewed leaves or droppings to spot them.
Introduce beneficial insects – Parasitic wasps naturally help control them.
Encourage natural predators – Birds love to snack on them!
But, next time, I recommend you try companion planting. It has been a game-changer for me! I have an article on the best companion plants for tomatoes, it’s worth a try! 😊🍅✨
Hi Rita ;
I plant lots of tomato plants each year just outside of Woodstock , Ontario and over the years my wife and I were battling the tomato horn worms . Our luck changed a few years ago when I read an article in a farm paper that said to plant Borage with tomato plants to keep Horn worms away . So we planted Borage and Marigolds with our tomato plants and have not seen a single Horn Worm or had any damage from them in 3 seasons . We are going to be trying the Epsom Salt and coffee tips this year . Thanks
Hi David! That’s amazing, thank you so much for sharing your experience! 😊 Borage and marigolds are such powerful companions for tomatoes, and it’s awesome to hear how well they worked for you. I’m excited you’re trying the Epsom salt and coffee tips too, wishing you another fantastic tomato season! 🍅✨
how does baking soda sweeten tomatoes and how do you use it?
Hi Glenn! Baking soda reduces soil acidity, which can help tomatoes taste sweeter! 🍅 Just sprinkle a little (1 tbsp) around the base of the plant and water it in. Use sparingly to avoid altering soil balance too much! 😊🌿
Hi Rita how do I keep squirrels out of my raised garden beds as as my tomatoes start to turn red they are gone I find find all over my yard have eaten
Hi Laurie! 😊 Squirrels can be a real challenge, especially when tomatoes start ripening! Here are a few ways to keep them out of your raised beds:
Physical barriers – Use bird netting, chicken wire, or even a DIY cage around your plants.
Spicy deterrents – Sprinkle cayenne pepper or spray a mix of water and hot sauce on the plants (harmless but effective!)
Motion-activated sprinklers – A quick surprise spray can keep them away.
Decoy food – Try placing a small dish of water and less-desirable food (like corn or nuts) away from your garden to distract them.
Hope this helps keep your tomatoes safe! 🍅✨ Let me know if you need more tips! 😊
thank you very much
Hi Alex, you’re very welcome! 😊
Hello,
Is it ok to use coffee grounds, epson salt and baking soda together? How do you know which additive the plant needs?
Thanks
Hi Linda! 😊 It’s best to use them carefully and only when needed, not all at once. Each one helps with something different, like coffee grounds for nitrogen, Epsom salt for magnesium, and baking soda to reduce soil acidity.
If your plant has yellowing leaves, that might mean a nitrogen or magnesium issue, so Epsom salt and Coffee grounds could help. Too much of anything can stress the plant, so start small and see how it responds! 🌿🍅✨
How do you combat Blight in tomato plants? I get it every single year!
Hi Diane! Blight is so tough, I totally get it! 😣 A few things that really help are rotating where you plant your tomatoes each year, watering at the base (not the leaves), and mulching to stop soil from splashing up. I also prune the lower leaves early to get better airflow. If it’s really bad, a copper fungicide can help too. And if you can, growing blight-resistant varieties makes a huge difference! 🍅🌿✨
What soil combination do you recommend for a potted tomato plant?
Hi Pat! Great question! 😊 For potted tomatoes, use a well-draining, nutrient-rich mix like:
🌱 1 part high-quality potting mix;
🌿 1 part compost (for nutrients);
🪵 1 part perlite or coconut coir (for drainage and moisture balance).
You can also mix in a handful of worm castings or a slow-release organic fertilizer to give your plant a strong start. Happy tomato growing! 🍅✨
Used coffee grounds?
Hi Debbie! Yes, used coffee grounds are best! 😊 They’re less acidic than fresh grounds and still rich in nutrients like nitrogen, which tomatoes love. Just mix a small amount into the soil or compost, or sprinkle lightly around the base (too much can compact the soil). Great for giving your tomatoes a gentle boost! 🍅🌿☕
THIS MY FIRST TIME TO USE YOU ADEA WITH EPSON SALT – DID WARK WITH CUCAMBER – MINT-CHERRY TREA –
Hi Alex! That’s awesome to hear! 😊 So glad the Epsom salt worked well for your cucumbers, mint, and cherry tree. Hope your tomatoes love it too! 🌿🍅🍒✨