Choose a strong healthy transplant that has a dark green color and balance between the size of the plant and the container. Set the plant slightly deeper than the container and firm soil well around the root system. Water with a starter solution immediately after planting. Tomatoes respond to mulching because they require stable soil moisture. Black plastic mulch encourages early growth, while organic mulches are excellent for summer when applied 2-3 weeks after planting.
Weeds compete with tomatoes for nutrients, water, and light.
Use shallow cultivation near the plants to scrape away small weeds. A of fertilizer when the first fruit on the plant are about the size of a walnut usually will improve yields and lengthen the harvest period. Cold nights early in the growth period or hot, dry, windy weather may cause blossom damage or blossom drop. Avoid excessive fertilization as it may increase catfacing and blossom drop as well as fruit deformities. Harvesting Tomatoes will ripen on or off the plant when the fruit are full sized and starting to show a slight tinge of color.