Better Boy Tomato in Zone 5B — Mid-Atlantic

Better Boy Tomato is a winner here in the Mid-Atlantic. Its classic tomato flavor is perfect for slicing, sauces, or just popping in your mouth straight from the vine. Plus, the plants are vigorous and generally reliable, giving you a satisfying harvest even in our sometimes unpredictable four seasons.

Our humid summers can bring challenges, and we always have to watch for late frost in the spring. But with a 178-day growing season, we have plenty of time to get a fantastic tomato crop if we time things right. Let's get started!

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go in our zone. Aim to sow your seeds from mid-March through early April, roughly six weeks before you plan to put them outside. This gives them a head start while avoiding any late frosts.

You'll need seed trays or small pots, a good seed-starting mix, and a warm, brightly lit spot. A heat mat underneath can really help with germination. Once the seedlings emerge, make sure they get plenty of light—a grow light is ideal since our spring weather can be a bit variable. Don’t forget to water from the bottom to encourage strong root growth and prevent damping off.

Transplanting your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors should happen between early May and early June. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as we can sometimes get a late cold snap even that late in the season. Before planting, be sure to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Plant your Better Boys 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Adding some compost to the planting hole is always a good idea, especially if you're dealing with our region's heavy clay soil. Water them well after transplanting.

Better Boy Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially with our humid summers. These are thirsty plants, and inconsistent moisture can lead to problems like blossom end rot and cracking. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall.

The "finger test" is a good way to check if your plants need water. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil near the base of the plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. During the hottest part of the summer, you might need to water more frequently. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially helpful in our region's variable conditions.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They need strong support to keep those heavy vines and tomatoes off the ground. Cages or sturdy stakes work well.

Install your support system at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. For cages, choose tall, wide ones that can accommodate the plant's mature size. If you're using stakes, tie the main stem to the stake every foot or so as the plant grows. This will help prevent the plant from toppling over under the weight of the fruit.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomatoes can improve airflow and fruit size. The standard practice is to remove the suckers that grow in the "V" between the main stem and the branches. These suckers will eventually become branches themselves, but removing them directs the plant's energy into fruit production.

Start pruning suckers early in the season and continue throughout the summer. Also, remove any yellowing or diseased lower leaves to improve air circulation and prevent the spread of disease. As we approach mid- October and the first frost, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomatoes to ripen from mid-July through early September, about 72 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ready to harvest when they're a deep red color, slightly soft to the touch, and easily pull away from the vine.

Gently twist or cut the tomato from the plant to avoid damaging the vine. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to keep producing. As the first frost approaches in mid- October, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer, out of direct sunlight.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Mid-Atlantic:

• 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. Our variable rainfall can trigger this.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Remove affected fruit.
• Cracking
• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either around the stem or radiating from it.
• What causes it: Sudden heavy watering after a dry period. Our summer thunderstorms can cause this.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch well. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Missing leaves, large green caterpillars with white stripes, dark droppings.
• What causes it: These caterpillars can defoliate a plant overnight.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're easy to spot). Bt spray is effective. Leave any hornworms with white cocoons on them.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward.
• What causes it: Fungal disease thriving in warm, humid conditions. Our humid summers are perfect for it.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can help.

Mid-Atlantic Specific Challenges: Our humid summers create a perfect environment for fungal diseases like early blight, so good air circulation and careful watering are essential. Deer pressure can also be an issue, so consider fencing or deer repellent. Japanese beetles can also be a nuisance, so keep an eye out for them and take action if needed.

Companion planting can really help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive. Basil is a classic companion because it repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Carrots improve the soil around tomatoes and deter nematodes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes because they compete for nutrients. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can shade tomatoes and reduce airflow, which can be a problem in our humid climate.