Tomatoes are a plant that every gardener knows and loves to grow! They are a super reliable crop, and witnessing their growth–from how tall they get, to the slightest changes in tomato colour–sparks so much excitement. They feel like a warm gift from the sun and taste amazing homegrown (nothing compares to a fresh garden tomato!).
Tomato Fun Facts
- They are technically a fruit! But most people eat them like a vegetable.
- Tomatoes can be determinate, meaning they grow like a bush and produce one big harvest, or indeterminate, meaning they grow like a vine and make fruit all season long.
- There are many different varieties of tomatoes, including heirlooms, cherries, slicers, beefstake, etc.
- Tomatoes need lots of sun and do well with regular and deep watering. They can handle dry spells too.
Do I Need to Prune My Tomatoes?
There’s really no one right way to prune tomatoes. Some gardeners swear by heavy pruning to improve airflow and focus the plant’s energy on the main stem, especially helpful in small garden spaces. Others take a more relaxed approach and let their plants grow freely.
Here is what to know:
- “Suckers” are the shoots between the main stem and branches (see image below). Removing them can help re-direct the plant’s energy into the fruit, and make it easier to manage. These “suckers” would otherwise grow into a mature branch and can take away centralized growth.
- Pruning when growing in smaller spaces can help keep things from turning into a tomato jungle.
- Not pruning your tomatoes is totally okay too as long as they are reasonably maintained and not encroaching on other garden plots. They are a pretty tough plant that can handle a lot of growth without constant pruning.
- Check out this video by our garden coach Rav on how to prune tomatoes!
Photo from https://ourstoneyacres.com/pruning-tomatoes
Growing Tips
- Remember, tomatoes are a heat-loving crop that need a long season to mature, so in Ontario’s shorter season, we start them indoors from seed or plant seedlings once the weather warms up.
- Wait to plant your tomato seedlings when there are no signs of frost, about 12-18 inches apart.
- Tomatoes make great companion plants! Because they grow tall, you can plant low-growing crops like lettuce underneath them which is helpful for smaller garden plots. A popular pairing is tomatoes with basil—they share similar growing needs, and basil attracts beneficial insects that help keep pests away.
- Plant your tomato seedling deeper than you think. Burying part of the stem allows the plant to root better and creates a stronger base for the plant.
- Tomatoes need some support to ensure they continue to grow upright. It’s good practice to trellis your tomatoes using a stake (ex. Bamboo stick) or a cage right after you plant it!
- Water consistently to prevent your tomatoes from splitting.
- Harvest your tomatoes when they start to flush, transitioning away from that green colour.
Shakshouka Recipe!
A simple, flavourful one-pan dish where tomatoes are the shining star! Sauté onions, garlic, and peppers with warm spices like cumin and paprika, then simmer with chopped tomatoes from your garden until the base gets saucy. Crack in a few eggs, cover, and cook until the whites are just set. Eat it alongside some toast or pita. You can garnish it with any chopped up herbs you like. Check out this shakshouka recipe here.