Better Boy Tomato in Zone 3A — Great Plains

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason. Its fantastic flavor and versatility make it a rewarding choice for Plains gardeners. You'll enjoy slicing them fresh, canning them for winter, or using them in your favorite sauces. Plus, the satisfaction of growing your own juicy tomatoes in our challenging climate is hard to beat.

Our Great Plains weather can be unpredictable, with extreme temperature swings, hail risk, and variable rainfall. Don't let that discourage you! By starting seeds indoors and paying attention to timing, you can easily harvest delicious Better Boy tomatoes within our roughly 108-day growing season.

Starting Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is essential in our short-season climate. You'll want to start your seeds mid-April through mid-May, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. This gives them a head start before our last frost.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them warm (around 70-75°F) and provide plenty of light – a grow light works wonders. Bottom watering is a great way to keep the soil moist without overwatering and risking damping off. Remember that spring in the Plains is variable; be prepared to adjust your indoor setup if we get an unexpected cold snap.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors in early to mid-June, once the danger of frost has passed. Before planting, harden off your seedlings 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 frost or a hailstorm can be devastating, so be ready to cover your plants if necessary.

Better Boy Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially in our hot Plains summers. They aren't drought-tolerant, and irregular watering can lead to problems like blossom end rot and cracking. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch – the "finger test."

During hot, dry periods, your plants might need up to 1-2 inches of water per week. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage disease in our low-to-moderate humidity. Overwatering can be just as harmful, so watch for signs like yellowing leaves.

Mulching around your tomato plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially important with our variable rainfall. Straw or grass clippings work well in the Plains.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They need sturdy support to handle their vigorous vines and heavy fruit. Cages or stakes both work well; choose whichever you prefer.

Install your support system at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plants grow, gently train the vines to climb the support. Wind protection is essential in many parts of the Plains, so consider a sheltered location or a windbreak to prevent damage.

Pruning Better Boy Tomatoes helps improve air circulation and fruit size. Focus on removing suckers – the small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and branches. Removing these directs the plant's energy into fruit production.

Prune suckers early in the morning on a dry day. You can also remove the lower leaves that touch the soil to prevent disease. As the end of the season approaches (around early September), you can top the plant to encourage the remaining fruit to ripen before frost.

You can expect your first harvest of Better Boy Tomatoes from mid-August through early September. The exact timing depends on the weather and how early you got your plants in the ground. Look for large, red fruit that gives slightly when gently squeezed.

To harvest, gently twist the tomato from the vine, leaving the stem attached. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to continue producing. As the first frost approaches, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll still develop good flavor, even off the vine.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Great Plains:

• Blossom End Rot
• What it looks like: A dark, sunken, leathery spot on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering, leading to calcium deficiency. The Plains' variable rainfall and tendency for dry spells exacerbate this.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry periods. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Remove affected fruit.
• Cracking
• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either in circles around the stem or radiating out from it.
• What causes it: Rapid changes in soil moisture, especially heavy rain after a dry spell. The Plains' unpredictable precipitation patterns make this common.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Big green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths. They can defoliate a plant quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're easy to spot). Bt spray is effective. If you see white cocoons on a hornworm, leave it alone; those are beneficial parasitic wasps.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. Spreads via soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can slow the spread.

Great Plains Specific Challenges: The hot summers and variable rainfall in the Great Plains can stress tomato plants, making them more susceptible to blossom end rot and cracking. The wind can also be a problem, damaging plants and drying out the soil. Consistent watering, mulching, and wind protection are essential for success.

Companion planting can benefit your Better Boy Tomatoes. Basil is a classic companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots improve soil drainage and aeration. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can block sunlight and compete for nutrients, which isn't ideal in our short growing season.