Easy guide: How to Plant and Care for Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a gardener’s favorite for a reason—they’re rewarding, versatile, and surprisingly easy to grow once you get the hang of it. Whether you're dreaming of juicy summer salads, homemade sauces, or just a sun-warmed tomato straight off the vine, this guide will help you plant and care for your tomatoes like a pro.

 

Choosing the Right Variety

First things first: choose a tomato variety that suits your space and taste.

Cherry tomatoes – Sweet, bite-sized, and great for containers.

Beefsteak – Big, juicy fruits perfect for slicing.

Roma (plum) – Great for sauces and cooking.

 

Determinate vs. Indeterminate:

Determinate varieties grow to a certain size and produce fruit all at once (ideal for small spaces).

Indeterminate varieties keep growing and producing all season long (perfect for large gardens or greenhouse setups).

 

 How to Plant Tomatoes

Start with strong seedlings

You can start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or buy healthy young plants from a garden centre.

Choose a sunny spot

Tomatoes love sun—at least 6–8 hours per day. The more sunlight, the better the flavour.

Prepare the soil

Tomatoes prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure before planting.

Plant deep

Bury the plant up to the first set of true leaves. Tomatoes can sprout roots along their buried stem, which means a stronger root system.

Space them out

Allow about 50–60cm between plants to ensure good airflow and prevent disease.

Caring for Your Tomatoes

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist—not soggy. Water deeply a few times a week rather than lightly every day. Avoid getting the leaves wet to reduce the risk of blight.

Feeding

Feed with a high-potassium fertiliser (like tomato feed) once flowers start to form. Avoid overfeeding early on, as it can encourage leaf growth over fruiting.

Staking & Support

Use canes, cages, or trellises to support the plants as they grow. Tie stems loosely to your support to keep them upright and off the soil.

Pruning

For indeterminate varieties, pinch out the small side shoots ("suckers") that grow in the leaf joints. This helps direct energy to fruit production.

 Harvest Time!

Your tomatoes are ready to harvest when they’re fully coloured, slightly soft to the touch, and come off the vine with a gentle tug. Don’t refrigerate freshly picked tomatoes—it can dull the flavour. Instead, enjoy them fresh or use them in cooking within a few days.

 Tomato Troubleshooting

Yellowing leaves? Could be overwatering or a nitrogen deficiency.

Blossom end rot? Often caused by uneven watering or calcium deficiency.

Lack of fruit? Make sure the plant is getting enough sunlight and not too much nitrogen.

Tomatoes thrive on attention. A few minutes a day to check for pests, water levels, and general plant health can make a big difference. And there’s nothing like the taste of your own homegrown tomatoes—sun-ripened and full of flavour!