The Best Conditions for growing the Biggest Tomatoes

#1) Space at Least 2 Feet Apart

Don’t make the mistake of overcrowding your tomato plants. Without an adequate amount of space, they won’t be able to develop plump and juicy tomatoes. So, how far apart should you space your tomato plants? While some varieties need more space than others, a good rule of thumb is to space tomato plants at least 2 feet apart from each other Dig a hole that is about a foot deep, Amend the soil by adding compost, crushed egg shells (for calcium), and tomato fertilizer to the hole.  Cover these amendments with a bit of soil then water. It’s not good for the roots of the plant to come into direct contact with fertilizer, so don’t skip this step. 

The amount of sunlight to which your tomato plants are exposed will affect their size. Tomato plants that are exposed to more sunlight produce bigger tomatoes than those exposed to less sunlight. Sunlight triggers photosynthesis, thereby fueling the plants with more energy to produce bigger tomatoes. By planting your tomatoes in an area of your garden or landscape that receives a substantial amount of sunlight, you’ll be rewarded with bigger tomatoes.

#3) Use a Trellis

Another simple tip to grow bigger tomatoes is to use a trellis. Featuring interwoven boards, trellises are designed to accommodate “climbing” plants, including tomatoes. As a tomato plant grows, it will develop vines that spider outwards. With a trellis nearby, the tomato plant will latch onto the structure, allowing it to grow vertically rather than horizontally.

#4) Add Mulch

Consider adding mulch around the base of your tomato plants. Mulch is beneficial for all plants – and tomatoes are no exception. It helps to retain moisture, protects the soil from erosion, and discourages the intrusion of weeds. Just remember to use a sufficient amount of mulch so that it covers all the soil surrounding your tomato plants.

#5) Prune the Bottom

Pruning the bottom of your tomato plants can have a positive impact on their harvest size. When you prune the bottom leaves of a tomato plant, you’ll encourage it to grow new leaves at the top. This is important because the bottom leaves are susceptible to decay and disease. If you don’t remove a decaying or diseased leaf, it may spread to other parts of the plant.

#6) Proper Hydration

Like many plants in the garden, your tomatoes need plenty of water. For big juicy tomatoes make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy. An inch and a half of water per week is a good rule of thumb. If you’re not getting that much rain, make sure to water your tomato plants either in the morning or evening when the sun isn’t too strong

 

Now that you’ve learned all about how to provide the best-growing conditions for the biggest tomatoes, you’re ready to get started!

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