Jeremy Keith via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
garden
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Edible
Edible Partsfruit
Overview
The world's most-grown garden vegetable (technically a fruit), tomatoes are a high-reward, intermediate-skill crop. Heirloom varieties offer unmatched flavor; hybrid varieties offer disease resistance and consistency. Consistent watering is critical — irregular moisture causes cracking and blossom end rot.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones2 — 11
Height2m
Spread0.6m
Growth HabitVining annual (indeterminate) or bushy (determinate)
LifespanAnnual
Bloom ColorYellow
Pollinator Valuemoderate
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Soil pH6 — 6.8
Soil TypeDeep, rich loam with high organic matter; consistent moisture
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Start Indoors | Mar — Apr | Start 6-8 weeks before last frost; harden off 1 week before transplant |
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Jun — Jun | Plant deep — bury 2/3 of stem; mulch heavily |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Aug — Oct | Pick when fully colored but still firm; ripen on counter, not fridge |
| Cool (3-4) | Start Indoors | Feb — Mar | Start under lights with bottom heat |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | May — Jun | Wait for soil to reach 60°F; protect from late frost |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Jul — Oct | Pick regularly to encourage continued production |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Apr — May | Stake or cage at planting; consistent water prevents blossom end rot |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Jul — Oct | Determinate types ripen at once; indeterminate produce until frost |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Feb — Mar | Sow directly once soil is reliably warm |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Feb — Mar | Transplant in early spring; provide afternoon shade in peak heat |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Jun — Nov | Long harvest season; protect from sun-scald in peak summer |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Jan — Feb | Plant in winter for spring harvest; second crop in fall |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Apr — Jul | Spring harvest; fall harvest from late-planted second crop |
Uses
Culinary
- Fresh in salads, sandwiches, and salsas
- Sauce, paste, and juice for cooking
- Sun-dried or oven-roasted for concentrated flavor
Medicinal
- Rich source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to cardiovascular health
Other Uses
- Save heirloom seeds by fermenting pulp for 3 days, then rinsing and drying
Safety Notes
Leaves, stems, and unripe fruit contain solanine and tomatine — not for consumption.
