Skip to main content

Tomatoes in the Home Garden

Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable in the home garden. Tomatoes are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. While most tomatoes are red, there are also yellow, orange, and pink varieties. Sizes vary from the bite- size cherry tomatoes to the giant beefsteak varieties. Tomatoes may be round, oblate (fruit are flattened at the top and bottom), or pear-shaped.

Tomatoes also vary in growth habit. According to Richard Jauron, horticulturist with Iowa State University, tomato varieties are classified as determinate or indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes are small, compact plants. They grow to a certain height, stop, then flower and set all their fruit within a short period of time. The harvest period for determinate tomatoes is generally short, making them good choices for canning. Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow, flower, and set fruit until killed by the first frost in the fall. Accordingly, the harvest from indeterminate varieties often extends over a 2 or 3 month period. Yields are generally heavier than determinate types, but are usually later to mature. Indeterminate tomatoes are tall, sprawling plants which often perform best when supported by stakes or a tall wire cage.

Transplant tomatoes into the garden after the danger of frost is past. In eastern Nebraska, May 10 is the suggested planting date. Gardeners in southeastern Nebraska can plant one week earlier, while those in northern areas should wait an extra week. The last practical date for planting tomatoes is approximately June 20.

When purchasing tomato plants at your local garden center, select stocky, dark green plants. Avoid plants with fruits. The fruits will stunt plant growth and reduce total yield. Harden or acclimate the plants to outdoor conditions before transplanting into the garden. Initially place the plants in a shady location, then gradually expose them to longer periods of sunlight. After several days of hardening, the tomatoes should be ready to be planted into the garden.

Plant tomatoes in full sun for best yields. If the plants are in peat pots, tear off the top edge or make sure the top edge is well below the soil surface once planted. If the top edge of the peat pot is exposed to the air, it will act like a wick and draw water from the soil around the plant. If the tomatoes are in plastic pots or cell-paks, carefully tap out the plants. Use a sharp knife to cut around plants growing in small flats.

Set plants into the soil up to their first true leaves. Pinch off the bottom leaves of tall, spindly transplants and lay them sideways in a trench. Carefully bend the stem upward so that the upper few inches of stem are above the soil surface. Roots will develop all along the buried stem.

Spacing of the plants depends on the growth habit of the variety and training system employed. Indeterminate varieties that are staked can be planted 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart in the row. Allow a 2- to 3-foot- spacing for indeterminate plants grown in wire cages, while tomatoes allowed to sprawl over the ground should be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart. Determinate, ground-grown tomatoes can be planted 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart. Rows should be spaced about 4 feet apart.

After transplanting, fertilize the tomato plants with a starter fertilizer solution. A starter fertilizer solution can be prepared by dissolving 1 or 2 tablespoons of a 5-10-5 or 6-10-4 in a gallon of water. Apply 1/2 pint of the starter solution to each plant. 

John Fech
John Fech
Extension Educator - Horticulture
John Fech is a horticulturist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. The author of 2 books and over 200 popular and trade journal articles, he focuses his time on teaching effective landscape maintenance techniques, water conservation, diagnosing turf and ornamental problems and encouraging effective bilingual communication in the green industry. He works extensively with the media to extend the message of landscape sustainability, making over 100 television and radio appearances each year.

Contact John at:
Douglas/Sarpy County Extension
8015 W Center Road
Omaha, NE 68124-3175
(402) 444-7804


mail icon
link icon