Growing notes
Tomatoes are heat-loving plants that require a long, frost-free season and full sun. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Harvest signs
Iowa State Extension ↗Harvest fruit when they have reached a usable size and color. Pick carefully from the plant when the entire fruit is a uniform color. When ripe, the fruit will be slightly soft to the touch, rather than firm or hard like unripe green tomatoes.
▶Planting reference— Depth, spacing, pH, light
▶Pests & diseases— cutworms, flea beetles, colorado potato beetle, aphids, +6 more
Companions & antagonists
Common questions
How much water does tomato need?
Tomato is fairly drought-tolerant once established and can dry out further between waterings. A soil-moisture range of about 35–55% is plenty — overwatering does more harm than a little dryness.
Can I grow tomato in a raised bed or container?
Yes — tomato does well in raised beds and is happy in a decent-sized container too, as long as drainage is good.
Does tomato come back every year?
No — tomato is an annual. It completes its life in one season, so you replant it each year.