Better Boy Tomato in Zone 10B — Desert Southwest

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason: its fantastic flavor and versatility. Here in the Desert Southwest, you'll appreciate its ability to produce reliably, giving you delicious tomatoes for everything from sandwiches to sauces. Plus, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of harvesting your own sun-ripened tomatoes in the spring and fall.

Sure, our extreme heat and dry air present unique challenges for desert gardening. But with careful planning and attention to watering, you can absolutely grow Better Boy Tomatoes successfully. Our long 349-day growing season gives you two chances each year to enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go here, giving them a head start before our intense sun hits. Aim to sow your seeds from mid December through early January, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. You'll want seed trays, a good seed-starting mix, and a warm, bright location – a sunny windowsill or under grow lights works great.

Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Bottom watering is your friend here. It helps prevent damping off and encourages strong root growth. Because our spring season comes on fast, getting those seedlings going indoors is key to a successful tomato harvest.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors in late January through late February, once the danger of frost has passed. Before you commit them to the garden, harden them off for about a week. Put them outside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their exposure to the sun and wind.

When you transplant, space the seedlings 24-36 inches apart to give them plenty of room to grow. Even though it's still cool, our Desert SW sun can be intense, so choose a spot with good morning sun and maybe a little afternoon shade.

Watering is absolutely critical for Better Boy Tomatoes, especially in our Desert Southwest climate. These plants need consistent moisture to produce those big, juicy, crack-free fruits. The extreme heat and arid air will quickly dry out your soil, so regular watering is non-negotiable.

During the cooler months (late January through March), aim to water deeply about 2-3 times per week, providing about 1-2 inches of water each time. As the temperatures rise in April and May, you'll likely need to increase that to every other day, or even daily, providing 2-3 inches of water. During our monsoon season, you may be able to cut back slightly, but always check the soil moisture first. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, dry soil, and blossom end rot. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch around your tomato plants will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is essential for summer survival here.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing all season long. These vigorous vines need strong support to keep them upright and prevent the fruit from touching the ground. Staking or caging are both great options.

Install your support system at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later on. For cages, choose sturdy ones that are at least 5 feet tall. For staking, use strong stakes and tie the main stem to the stake every 12-18 inches as it grows. Regular tying will keep the plant from sprawling and help prevent the heavy fruit from breaking the stems.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants can improve air circulation and encourage larger fruit. Focus on removing suckers, which are the small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and the branches. Pinch them off when they're small.

You can also remove the lower leaves as the plant grows, especially any that are touching the soil, to help prevent disease. As the end of the season approaches (late December), you can top the main stem to encourage the plant to put its energy into ripening the existing fruit rather than producing new growth.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest from mid April through late May, about 72 days after transplanting. Look for large, red fruits that are slightly soft to the touch. The skin should be smooth and glossy.

Gently twist the tomato off the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to keep producing, so check your plants every few days. As the first frost approaches in late December, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll still develop good flavor on a sunny windowsill.

Even with the best care, you might encounter some common tomato problems in our Desert Southwest gardens. Here's how to deal with them:

• Blossom End Rot
• What it looks like: A dark, sunken spot on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering leads to calcium deficiency. This is common in our dry climate with monsoon bursts.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water deeply and consistently. Mulch to retain moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing. Remove affected fruits.
• Cracking
• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either around the stem or radiating outwards.
• What causes it: Sudden changes in soil moisture, especially after a dry spell followed by heavy monsoon rains.
• How to fix/prevent it: Consistent watering is key. Mulch well. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves disappear overnight. You might see large green caterpillars with white stripes and black droppings.
• What causes it: These caterpillars are the larvae of hawk moths and can defoliate a plant quickly in our warm climate.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they blend in well!). Use Bt spray. Leave any hornworms with white cocoons on them – these are beneficial parasitic wasp eggs.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on the lower leaves, spreading upwards. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions, especially during our monsoon season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Use copper fungicide.

Desert Southwest Specific Challenges: Our extreme heat and arid climate can exacerbate these problems. Consistent watering is absolutely essential to prevent blossom end rot and cracking. Shade cloth can help protect your plants from sunscald during the hottest part of the day. Be vigilant about checking for pests and diseases, and take action quickly to prevent them from spreading.

Companion planting can give your Better Boy Tomatoes a boost in the Desert Southwest. Basil is a classic companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots are also beneficial, as they help to loosen the soil and improve drainage. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds are known to repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like broccoli and cabbage) near your tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel is also a poor companion, as it inhibits the growth of many plants. Corn can attract tomato pests, so keep it away from your tomato patch.