When it comes to home gardening on the North Shore of Massachusetts, few crops are as beloved as tomatoes. There’s something incredibly satisfying about picking a sun-ripened tomato from your own garden, still warm from the summer heat. Whether you’re growing heirlooms for slicing, cherries for snacking, or plum tomatoes for sauces, following a few simple guidelines can help you enjoy a bountiful harvest this season.

Timing is everything when planting tomatoes in Massachusetts. While it’s tempting to rush the season as soon as the weather warms, patience pays off. The North Shore often sees cool nights well into May, and tomatoes are sensitive to chilly temperatures. A good rule of thumb is to wait until after Memorial Day to plant tomatoes outdoors. By then, the danger of frost has usually passed, and nighttime temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees Fahrenheit — ideal conditions for young tomato plants to thrive.

Choosing the right varieties is another important step in setting yourself up for success. Some of the best tomatoes for the North Shore climate include ‘Early Girl,’ known for its fast ripening and reliability, and ‘Brandywine,’ a favorite heirloom with incredible flavor. For cherry tomatoes, you can’t beat the sweetness of ‘Sun Gold,’ while ‘San Marzano’ is the gold standard for sauce-making. A trusted garden center on the North Shore, such as Nunan’s, can help guide you toward varieties that perform best in our coastal conditions and answer any questions you have about timing and care.

Location is key when planning your tomato patch. Tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day to produce well. If you’re planting in raised beds or containers, choose a spot that gets full sun from morning to evening. In the North Shore region, where cool ocean breezes can linger into late spring, giving your tomatoes as much sunlight as possible helps them warm up and grow stronger faster.

Preparing the soil properly is equally important. Tomatoes prefer rich, well-draining soil that’s high in organic matter. Before planting, it’s a good idea to mix compost or aged manure into the bed. If you’re starting from scratch, consider visiting Nunan’sl garden center for recommendations on soil blends designed specifically for vegetables. Using a high-quality mix gives tomato plants the nutrition and drainage they need for healthy root development.

When planting, make sure to set tomato seedlings deep into the soil — deeper than you might think. Burying the stem up to the first set of true leaves encourages the plant to develop a stronger root system, which results in a sturdier, healthier plant overall. It’s also a smart idea to install cages, stakes, or trellises at the time of planting. This gives tomatoes the support they need as they grow and keeps the fruit off the ground, reducing the risk of disease.

Consistent watering is crucial for tomato plants, especially once the fruit starts to develop. A deep watering two to three times a week is usually better than daily light watering, as it encourages roots to grow deep rather than staying near the surface. In the North Shore area, where occasional summer droughts can occur, applying a layer of mulch around your tomato plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

One common mistake among new gardeners is overfeeding tomato plants. While it’s important to fertilize, too much nitrogen can result in lush leafy growth but few fruits. A balanced fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus, often available at your neighborhood garden center, helps strike the right balance between growth and production.

Gardening in coastal Massachusetts offers some unique challenges, but with the right timing, variety selection, and care, tomatoes can be one of the most rewarding crops you grow. Whether you’re tucking a few plants into a sunny backyard bed or filling a dozen containers on a deck, a visit to Nunan Garden Center — paired with a little planning — will set you up for fresh, juicy tomatoes all summer long.