Our Keys to Tomato Success:

1) start tomatoes indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date (mid-March here in zone 5) and 7 to 8 weeks before transplanting them outside;

2) starting earlier doesn't provide a significant advantage;

3) start hardening off tomatoes after the last frost when night time temps are in the 40s or above (early May) by placing them in the shade;

4) gradually move tomatoes from shade to full sun over the next week or two;

5) transplant tomatoes when nighttime temps are mostly in the 50's or above (one to two weeks after the last frost or around mid-May here in zone 5);

6) plant in full sun;

7) don't plant tomatoes where tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or other related crops grew the prior year;

8) plant tomatoes deeply, leaving only 4 to 6 inches above the ground, and snip branches as needed;

9) to maximize production per square foot, plant 1 indeterminate tomato plant per square foot and prune suckers to prevent overcrowding;

10) grow tomatoes vertically on trellises;

11) when plants are a few feet tall, prune lower branches to reduce blight;

12) weave plants through trellis as they grow and top them off when they reach the top of the trellis (8 feet);

13) water moderately to heavily during growth and lightly during harvesting;

14) mulch tomatoes when soil is warm to reduce watering requirements, reduce soil splash, and reduce blight risk;

15) compost, worm castings, and mulch from free local resources provide all the nutrients our tomatoes need.