Grow Juicy Tomatoes at Home | Step-by-Step Guide & Tips
Tomatoes
There’s nothing quite like harvesting your own ripe, juicy tomatoes from the garden. They’re versatile, flavorful, and a true homestead staple!
Why I Love Growing Tomatoes
Tomatoes may be my favorite to plant—though I’ll admit, they can be a little finicky. But nothing beats the taste of a homegrown tomato, whether in:
- BLT sandwiches with homemade sourdough
- Fresh pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce
- Creamy tomato soups (both quick and crockpot versions)
- Baked dishes like Grandma Redd’s Baked Spaghetti
I grow a variety of heirloom tomatoes, including Tappy’s, Bonny’s Best, and Amish Paste, which give amazing flavor for both fresh eating and preserving.
Growing Tomatoes
Here’s a peek into my approach—enough to get started, but for step-by-step details and tips, grab my book or Ultimate Gardening Bundle:
- Planting: Start with strong seedlings and prepare your soil. Plant deep to encourage strong roots.
- Fertilizing: Feed your plants with gentle, natural fertilizers to encourage growth.
- Support: Tomato plants benefit from stakes, cages, or hog panels to keep leaves off the ground and reduce disease.
- Pruning: Removing extra growth helps the plant focus energy on producing fruit.
- Watering: Consistent water is key, especially as fruits ripen—but be careful not to overwater to avoid splitting.
- Harvesting: Pick when red and ripe, or harvest slightly green for later ripening.
💡 Tip: For the full guide with planting depths, spacing, pruning details, and more, check out my book!
Health & Nutrition
Tomatoes are more than just delicious—they’re packed with:
- Folate
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
Enjoy them fresh, canned, or cooked for maximum flavor and nutrition.
Learn More
Want all my step-by-step methods for growing tomatoes and dozens of other vegetables successfully every year?
🎥 Watch this video where I show exactly how I grow, care for, and harvest tomatoes in my garden: How to Grow Tomatoes – Step by Step
- I use them in BLT’s with my homemade Sourdough Sandwich Bread
- Create my pizza sauce with canned the sauce
- Delicious spaghetti sauce
- 15 minute tomato soup
- Crockpot creamy tomato soup
- Grandma Redd’s Baked Spaghetti
Start with an Heirloom Variety – my favorites are Tappy’s, Bonny’s Best & Amish Paste. Check out how to pick the best seeds.
If you’re ready to dive deeper into seed starting, growing, harvesting, and seed saving, check out my Ultimate Gardening Bundle for full guidance.
