Better Boy Tomato in Zone 10A — Southern California

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason, and it thrives in our Southern California gardens. You'll get reliably delicious, medium-large fruits perfect for slicing, sandwiches, and sauces. Plus, they're satisfying to grow and the plant's disease resistance is a real bonus here!

Sure, we have our challenges with water restrictions and summer heat inland. But with a little planning and attention, you can enjoy a bountiful Better Boy harvest thanks to our long 349-day growing season. Timing your planting right makes all the difference.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors gives them a head start on our long growing season. Aim to sow your seeds from mid-December through early January, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. This takes advantage of our very-early spring character.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them consistently warm (around 70-75°F) and provide plenty of light, either with a grow light or a sunny windowsill. Don't forget to water from the bottom to encourage strong root growth and prevent damping off.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors from late January through late February, after the last threat of frost has passed. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind.

Space your plants 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast around transplant time; a late cold snap can still happen, so be ready to cover your seedlings if needed.

Better Boy Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially during our hot, dry summers. While they're more disease-resistant than some heirlooms, inconsistent moisture is a recipe for problems like blossom end rot and cracking. Get ready to stay on top of it!

During the cooler months, especially after our winter rains, you might only need to water deeply once or twice a week. As the weather heats up, particularly inland, increase watering to every other day or even daily. Use the "finger test" – stick your finger about two inches into the soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our low-to-moderate humidity. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A layer of mulch helps retain moisture and keeps the soil temperature even.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. These vigorous vines get heavy with fruit, so sturdy support is a must.

A tall tomato cage is often the easiest option, but staking also works well. Install your chosen support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently weave the stems through the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato helps improve air circulation and encourages larger fruit. Focus on removing suckers, which are the small shoots that grow in the "armpit" between the main stem and a branch.

Pinch off suckers early in the morning when they're small and easy to remove. You can also remove the lower leaves that touch the soil to prevent disease. Towards the end of the season, around late December, you can prune the top of the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen before our first frost.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest from mid-April through late May, about 72 days after transplanting. The fruits are ready to pick when they're a deep red color and have a slight give when gently squeezed.

To harvest, gently twist or cut the tomato from the vine, leaving a small piece of stem attached. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches in late December, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer, not touching, in a cool dark location.

Even with its disease resistance, Better Boy Tomato can still run into problems in Southern California. Here's how to handle the most common ones:

• Blossom End Rot
• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering leads to calcium deficiency. The feast-or-famine watering of drought/flood cycles is a classic trigger.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water *consistently*. Mulch heavily. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Remove affected fruit.
• Cracking
• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either concentric circles around the stem or radial lines.
• What causes it: Sudden heavy watering after a dry spell. The fruit swells too quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Consistent watering is key! Mulch well. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves disappearing overnight. You'll find big green caterpillars with white stripes and dark droppings.
• What causes it: These are larvae of hawk moths, which lay eggs on tomato plants.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're surprisingly easy to spot once you know what to look for). Bt spray is effective. If you see hornworms covered in white cocoons, leave them be – those are beneficial parasitic wasps.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, which then yellow and drop.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions and spreads via soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation by spacing and pruning. Copper fungicide can slow the spread.

Southern California Specific Challenges: Our combination of summer heat inland and winter-wet rainfall can exacerbate these problems. Consistent watering is crucial to combat blossom end rot and cracking. Good air circulation and mulching help prevent early blight. Be vigilant for hornworms, especially during the warmer months.

Companion planting can give your Better Boy Tomatoes a boost in Southern California.

• Good companions: Basil repels pests and improves tomato flavor. Carrots loosen the soil and attract beneficial insects. Parsley also attracts beneficial insects and can deter tomato hornworms. French Marigolds repel nematodes and other pests.
• Bad companions: Avoid planting brassicas (like broccoli or cabbage) near tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn competes for nutrients and can shade your tomato plants.