A farm field with rows of soil, a plastic-covered structure on the left, and a mountain range in the background.

Directions for Planting

  1. Protect from wind and freezing temperatures.

  2. Plants are tender because they have been in the greenhouse. Be gentle.

  3. "Harden off" plants by exposing them to the outdoors for a couple of hours each day for a couple of days before planting in the garden.

  4. Use tomato baskets, stakes, a fence, or a trellis to keep fruit off the ground. Old nylon stockings cut into rings make the best tomato ties.

  5. Tomatoes love chicken manure, but keep a safe distance when applying it to avoid burning the plants.

  6. Raised beds are best. They increase soil temperature and drain well. Allow tomatoes to dry slightly before watering.

  7. To accelerate growth, enclose tomato baskets with plastic until the onset of summer heat.

Three red bell peppers growing on a plant in a garden.

Super Tomato Tip

Do you want the best, most prolific tomato plants ever?

Use the trench method. Cut off the lower leaves, leaving only the crown of the plant. Dig a shallow, horizontal trench about 3-4 inches deep. Lay the entire plant (roots and all) sideways in the trench and then cover the root ball and stem with soil up to the crown of the plant. The crown will bend upwards toward the sun all by itself within a day or so.

This works! Why? For many reasons:

  • Helps to keep plants from being battered by early spring winds

  • Places the stem just under the soil surface, where it is warmest in the sun

  • Multiplies the root system early in the season since the stem (now underground) develops roots

Good luck, and happy growing!