Tomato plants will grow well in well-drained sites that receive full sun for most of the day. The soil pH should be slightly acidic (6.2 to 6.8). Excess nitrogen can result in plants with lush, vigorous foliage but little fruit production.
In general, determinate tomatoes tend to do better in pots, so look for those. It's also possible to grow indeterminate tomatoes in containers, of course, as long as you provide enough support and soil volume.
Place your potted tomato plants on the south or west side of a building, where they will receive the most direct sunlight.
Depending on where you live, you might want to expose your tomatoes to morning sunlight, to afternoon sunlight, or to a combination of the two. Morning sunlight provides high-intensity light without excessive heat, therefore you should consider morning exposure if you live in a region with a hot climate.
Tomatoes require rich, well drained soil in a full sun location, which means at least 6 hours of direct sun per day, and ideally more. This is especially important in colder northern climates (zone 5 and below) with shorter growing seasons.
Corn and tomatoes also share vulnerabilities to similar fungal diseases, increasing the likelihood of infections spreading. Lastly, the tall stalks of corn can overshadow tomato plants, blocking the sunlight they need to grow. As a result, it's not recommended to plant these two near each other.
Choosing the best soil
Tomatoes like well-draining, nitrogen-rich soil. This means extra compost, blood-meal or crushed eggshells will make them happy. You want to make sure they have a steady source of calcium carbonate throughout the growing season, which is exactly what eggshells are made up of!
As temperatures increase, you might need to water tomato plants twice a day. Garden tomatoes typically require 1-2 inches of water a week. Tomato plants grown in containers need more water than garden tomatoes. Soil in containers heats up faster which leads to more water evaporation.
What is Sunscald? Tomatoes need plenty of sunlight to produce fruit, typically around six to eight hours a day. Too much sun and heat can cause tomatoes to get sunscald. “Sunscald happens when the tomatoes are hit with the direct waves of the sun without any protection, similar to sunburn on us humans,” says Key.
If planting in-ground, loosen the soil to create a welcoming bed for roots to grow. Add agricultural lime if you've done a soil test and the results recommend it. (For more about liming, see "Why Does pH Matter?") In addition, add 3 or 4 inches of compost or other organic matter, especially in clay or sandy soils.
Water correctly: Do not overwater. The first week tomato plants are in the ground, they need water every day, but back off watering after the first week, slowly weaning the plants down to 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
If your soil doesn't drain well, you might be better off growing your tomatoes in raised beds. Like most vegetables, tomatoes like well-draining, nitrogen-rich soil with a pH of around 6.5.
Morning sun is tends to be superior to afternoon sun because it will dry dew from leaves of the plant, which reduces disease, and it is cooler. Most plants, even those that tolerate full sun, will appreciate even momentary respite from the afternoon sun.
Tomatoes thrive in loamy soils with good drainage and high organic matter content. Adding composted coffee grounds to planting beds is a great way to build healthy soil for tomato planting but won't provide all the required nutrients.
The best place to plant your tomatoes is in a location within your garden that gets full sun—at least 8-10 hours of direct light every day, though the hours don't necessarily need to be consecutive. For people who live in the Northern Hemisphere, south- and west-facing garden plots will get the most sun.
Some growers prefer to use a high-phosphorus fertilizer, indicated by a larger middle number. You can also keep things simple with a fertilizer especially formulated for tomatoes – usually with a ratio like 3-4-6 or 4-7-10. Most importantly, don't over-fertilize. Too little fertilizer is always better than too much.
Too much bright direct sunlight on plants can raise temperatures too high for ripening and lead to cracking and sunscald. It can also create problems caused by high humidity or dry soil. Do tomatoes prefer morning or afternoon sun? Tomatoes need both morning and afternoon sun and at least six hours of sun a day.
When temps consistently hit the 95-degree range, tomatoes tend to stop producing red pigments, which means typically red fruits may instead ripen to orange. When high heat lingers with days above 100°F and nights over 80°F, most tomato ripening stops altogether.
Using shade cloth during the hottest time of day can reduce ambient temperatures by 10 degrees. Be sure to remove the shade cloth when temperatures drop back down below 95 degrees so the plants can get their needed time in the sun.
In their native environment, they return reliably every year. The types of tomatoes we grow for BLTs, salsas, and salad toppers today were bred and selected for their fruit. Any minor winter hardiness they once had was lost in the breeding process, so tomatoes are grown as annual plants in home gardens.
Pro tip: Gently water your tomato seedlings with a spray bottle, usually 4-5 squirts is enough. Learn more about growing tomatoes from seed.
Cucumbers grow fast and don't demand a lot of care. Just keep the soil consistently moist with an inch of water per week (more if temperatures sizzle and rain is scarce). Inadequate or inconsistent moisture causes oddly shaped or poor-tasting fruit.
Tomatoes are prone to magnesium deficiency later in the growing season, which can show with yellowing leaves and diminished production. Ultra Epsom Salt treatments at the beginning of their planting and throughout their seasonal life can help to prevent and remedy magnesium deficiency in your tomato plants.