For many gardeners, tomato season is the moment they’ve been waiting for. As warmer days and milder nights settle in, it’s finally time to start thinking about getting tomato plants into the garden, raised bed, or patio container. A little extra care at planting time can make a major difference in how your plants grow, flower, and produce through the summer.

Start by choosing the sunniest spot you have. Tomatoes need at least 6–8 hours of direct sun each day to perform their best. Before planting, loosen the soil and mix in compost or a quality soil amendment so your plants have a strong foundation from the start. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, and rich, well-prepared soil helps support both healthy growth and fruit production.

When you plant, set your tomato deeper than it was growing in the pot. Remove the lower leaves and bury part of the stem. Tomatoes can form roots along the buried stem, creating a stronger root system to support the plant all season long. This is one of the simplest ways to give your tomato plants a better start.

It’s also smart to feed your tomatoes from the beginning. We recommend Espoma Tomato-tone, a natural and organic plant food formulated especially for tomatoes and other fruiting vegetables. It’s a great choice not only for tomatoes, but also for peppers, cucumbers, and squash. Mix it into the soil at planting time according to the package directions, then continue feeding through the growing season to support strong roots, healthy blooms, and better fruit development.

Add your tomato cage, stake, or trellis at planting time, too. It’s much easier to support a young plant now than to try to manage a large, sprawling plant later. After planting, water deeply at the base of the plant and keep moisture as consistent as possible. Avoid quick, shallow watering, which encourages shallow roots and stressed plants.

Once the soil has warmed, apply mulch around the base of the plant to help hold moisture, reduce weeds, and keep soil from splashing onto the leaves. Keep mulch slightly away from the stem and spread it around the root zone to help conserve moisture through hot summer days.

Tomatoes reward good care. Start them strong now, and you’ll be setting yourself up for a summer full of fresh, homegrown flavor.

Stop by Nunan’s  to shop tomato plants, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and everything you need to plant with confidence. While you’re here, pick up Espoma Tomato-tone, soil amendments, tomato cages, and other garden supplies to give your plants a strong start.

Don’t forget the Yard to Table app promotion: get a FREE 4-pack veggie cell pack with a $25 purchase using promo code yard2table in the Nunan’s app. Download the app here: https://apjl.app/nunans.