Nothing says summer on the homestead quite like fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes. Whether you're slicing them for sandwiches, cooking up a batch of sauce, or canning them for the pantry, tomatoes are a rewarding crop that every homesteader should have in their garden.
Here’s everything you need to know about planting, growing, and harvesting tomatoes on your homestead.
Planting Tomatoes
Start with strong seedlings.
You can start tomatoes indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date or purchase healthy young plants from a local nursery. If you are not sure of your last frost date, a simple google search will help you find the date for your location.
Choose the right spot.
Tomatoes love full sun — at least 6–8 hours a day. Well-draining soil rich in organic matter is ideal.
Spacing matters.
Give each plant room to breathe! Space determinate varieties about 18–24 inches apart and indeterminate types 24–36 inches apart. I have tried it in a square foot garden format but the air circulation was horrible. You could probably get by with it if you are planting a single row.
Plant deep.
Tomatoes can grow roots along their stems. Bury them deep — up to the first set of true leaves — for a stronger root system.
Add support early.
Install cages or stakes at planting time to avoid disturbing roots later.
Growing Tomatoes
Water deeply and consistently.
It is recommended tomatoes need about 1–2 inches of water per week. I have to water mine daily in the hot Arkansas heat. Try to water at the base and avoid splashing the leaves to prevent disease.
Mulch to retain moisture.
A thick layer of straw or compost helps regulate soil temperature, suppress weeds, and keep moisture in. I used landscape fabric on a couple of beds this year and have noticed that they don't have their leaves turn yellow like my other tomatoes.
Feed them right.
Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Use a balanced fertilizer couple of weeks once they start flowering.
Watch for pests and disease.
Keep an eye out for aphids, hornworms, and blight. Neem oil, insecticidal soap, and handpicking pests are great organic options.
Prune when needed.
For indeterminate varieties, remove suckers — the small shoots that grow in the joint between the stem and leaf — to improve airflow and encourage larger fruit. I also trim off the lower 12 to 18 inches of leaves and stems, which helps with air circulation and seems to reduce issues with tomato hornworms.
🍅 Harvesting Tomatoes
Pick when they're fully colored.
Tomatoes are ready to harvest when they’ve reached their full color and are slightly firm to the touch. Gently twist or snip them from the vine.
Don’t refrigerate!
Tomatoes lose flavor when stored in the fridge. Keep them on the counter and use them within a few days for best taste.
Saving seeds?
Let a few fruits overripen on the vine, then scoop the seeds and ferment them in a jar of water for a few days before drying and storing.
Tips
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Choose varieties that grow best in your climate. All cherry tomatoes grow great where I live in Arkansas and I have found that Big Rainbow, Pineapple, and Dr Wyches tomatoes grow great in our heat and humidity.
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Practice crop rotation to avoid soil-borne diseases. I have limited space and can not completely rotate my crop but I do try to vary variety location from year to year.
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Plant a second round of tomatoes in late summer for a fall harvest (depending on your zone).
Whether you're growing a handful of plants on the porch or a full row in the garden, tomatoes reward your efforts with unbeatable flavor and versatility. Happy growing!