May is the perfect time of year to plant tomatoes for many parts of the U.S. In southern states, the growing season starts a little earlier in the year, and for northern states, it starts a little later. Wherever you live, you can grow a successful tomato garden with the right location. Plan to plant your tomato plants after the last frost has fallen or be prepared to cover your plants if a late frost is expected. The following will provide a how to on planting Better Boy tomato plants, but it is also applicable to many other vegetables. Be gentle with the plants and prepare your soil before planting.

Things you will Need

Tomato Plants (4 pack)
Scissors
Garden Trowel
Tomato Cages
Garden Poles/Stakes
Watering Can

How to Plant Tomatoes

Step 1: Locate a nice sunny plot of land where you can grow your tomatoes. Access to water is necessary to encourage growth during the hotter parts of the summer.

Step 2: Once your soil is nice and loose, dig a hole about 6 inches deep by 6 inches wide.

Step 3: Remove the tomato plant from the container.

Step 4: With scissors, gently remove all bottom leaves from the plant. Leave three to four main sets of leaves at the top of the plant.

Step 5: If your tomato plant has produced blooms, remove all blooms with the scissors.

NOTE: Removing the blooms and bottom leaves encourages the plant to grow larger before producing any fruit. Removing the bottom leaves allows you to plant the tomato plant deeper in the ground for stability and added root development.

Step 6: Separate the root ball (as if someone was doing the splits).

Step 7: Place the plant in the hole with the roots spread apart.

Step 8: Water the roots of the plant with 8 to 16 ounces of water.

Step 9: Fill in the hole around the roots with soil, gently packing the soil around the base of the plant.

Step 10: Using your hands, draw a circle around the plant in the soil about 12 to 15 inches in diameter (see picture above).

NOTE: Drawing the circle will keep the water from running off as you water the plant.

Step 11: Water the plant using another 8 to 16 ounces of water or use a vegetable fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro brand plant fertilizer.

Step 12: Carefully place the tomato cage around the plant and push it into the ground until the first ring of the cage is at the level of the leaves.

NOTE: As the tomato plant grows, raise the leaves and branches of the plant over the appropriate rung on the tomato cage to keep the tomatoes off the ground.

Step 13: Insert a garden pole next to the base of the plant (about 1 inch away) and go straight down.

NOTE: As the plant grows, use twine to tie the plant to the pole to keep it from falling over helping to keep the tomatoes off the ground.

Step 14: Continue planting the rest of the plants spacing each one about 18-24 inches or more apart from the other plants.

Once you have your tomato garden planted, you will need to tend to it about every other day. Make sure to water your plants every 3 to 4 days depending on how dry or wet the weather remains.  Once the plants grow bigger, you can prune off the lower branches to allow air to circulate under the plants.  Continue to provide fertilizer according to the manufacture’s directions on the product you choose.

Around the middle of the summer you can harvest your bounty and enjoy fresh red ripe tomatoes straight from your garden! Enjoy!!

Do you have great tips to share about your garden? We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to ask questions, provide different styles, and comment on this article.