How to Help Tomato Plants Truly Thrive
Tomatoes are a kitchen staple — packed with flavor, loaded with nutrients, and incredibly versatile in meals. But despite their popularity, growing tomato plants can be a real challenge. They tend to be more sensitive and finicky than many other garden crops, often falling victim to issues like rot and disease. There’s nothing more frustrating than putting in time and effort only to see your tomato plants wither.
If you want to give your tomato plants the best shot at thriving this season, here’s one surprisingly effective trick you should try: when preparing the planting hole, place an antacid tablet (like Tums) at the bottom before you set in the plant. Lightly cover the tablet with soil, then plant your tomato. These tablets contain calcium — a key nutrient that helps prevent blossom end rot, a common and disheartening issue in tomato gardening.
Beyond this tip, there are a few other essentials to remember for growing strong, healthy tomato plants:
- Light is critical: Tomatoes are sun-lovers. Make sure they get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to support strong growth and fruit production.
- Consistent watering is key: Young tomato plants need regular watering, and letting them dry out — then overwatering to compensate — is a recipe for trouble. Irregular watering is one of the leading causes of blossom end rot. If your tomato plants are wilting for much of the day, it’s a sign they aren’t getting enough moisture.
- Be cautious with pruning: While it’s helpful to remove a few of the lower, damaged, or yellowing leaves to prevent disease, over-pruning can backfire. Tomatoes rely on their foliage to produce sugars, which directly contribute to the flavor of the fruit. Too much trimming can reduce both sweetness and yield.
