Better Boy Tomato in Zone 3B — Mountain West

Better Boy Tomato is a classic choice for a reason, and even with our short growing season in the Mountain West, you can enjoy its delicious, versatile fruit. Its balanced flavor is great fresh, canned, or sauced, and the satisfaction of harvesting your own sun-ripened tomatoes at this altitude is hard to beat.

Our high altitude, intense sun, and cool nights present unique challenges to growing warm-season crops like tomatoes. But with careful timing and a few tricks, you can absolutely succeed in squeezing a great tomato harvest into our 108-day growing season.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is essential to get a jumpstart on our short season. Aim to start your seeds indoors from mid April through mid May – about six weeks before you intend to transplant them outside. This timing gives them a fighting chance.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy; bottom watering is a great way to achieve this without disturbing the delicate seedlings. Place the trays in a warm location (around 70-75°F) and provide plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light. Remember, our spring weather can be fickle, so starting indoors protects them from any late frosts.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors in early to mid June, after the last expected frost. Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the intense sun and cool nights that are typical of our Mountain climate.

When transplanting, space the plants 24-36 inches apart. Be mindful of potential late-season cold snaps, even in June. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to cover your young plants if temperatures dip unexpectedly.

Consistent watering is critical for Better Boy Tomatoes, especially given our dry climate. Unlike some other regions, we don't have humidity to help, and our rainfall is often sparse, so you have to take control of the watering.

During the peak of summer, your Better Boy Tomatoes will likely need at least 1-2 inches of water per week, possibly more during especially hot or windy spells. Use the "finger test" – if the top two inches of soil feel dry, it's time to water. Water deeply at the base of the plant to encourage strong root growth and avoid wetting the foliage. Overhead watering can increase the risk of fungal diseases, even with our low humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil, while overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch around your tomato plants will help retain moisture in our dry climate and reduce the need for frequent watering.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit throughout the season. These vigorous vines need sturdy support to handle the weight of all those tomatoes.

Cages or stakes work well, but cages are often easier to manage as the plants grow larger. Install the support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later on. As the plant grows, gently guide the stems through the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants can improve fruit size and overall plant health. Focus on removing suckers – the small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and branches.

Prune suckers regularly throughout the growing season, especially early on. In late summer, as our short season winds down, you can also top the plant (cut off the growing tip) to encourage the remaining fruit to ripen before the first frost, which usually hits around early September in the Mountain West.

You can expect your first harvest of Better Boy Tomatoes from mid August through early September, depending on the weather and how early you got your plants in the ground. The tomatoes are ripe when they are a deep red color and have a slight give when gently squeezed.

To harvest, grasp the tomato gently and twist or clip it off the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Continue to harvest regularly to encourage the plant to produce more fruit. As the first frost approaches, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll still taste great, even if they don't quite match the flavor of vine-ripened tomatoes.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Mountain West:

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. Our dry climate makes consistent watering a challenge.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily. Remove affected fruit.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either in circles around the stem or lines radiating from it.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell. The sudden influx of water causes the fruit to expand too quickly.
• 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. You might spot the large green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: These voracious caterpillars can defoliate a plant quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they’re easy to spot once you know what to look for). Bt spray is effective and organic.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm conditions.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base of the plant.

Mountain West Specific Challenges: Our moderate-at-altitude heat coupled with low humidity and dry rainfall creates a unique set of conditions. The key is to focus on consistent watering and mulching to combat the dry air and soil. Also, the intense sun can sometimes cause sunscald on the fruit, so make sure your plants have adequate foliage cover.

Companion planting can help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive in our Mountain gardens.

Good companions:

• Basil: Repels tomato hornworms and improves tomato flavor.
• Carrots: Improve soil structure and deter nematodes.
• Parsley: Attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests.
• Marigold (French): Repels nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting these near your tomatoes:

• Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower): Can stunt tomato growth.
• Fennel: Inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes.
• Corn: Attracts the same pests, increasing the risk of infestation.