Better Boy Tomato in Zone 6A — Mid-Atlantic

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason, and it absolutely earns its place in the Mid-Atlantic garden. The taste is that perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making it ideal for slicing, sauces, or just popping in your mouth straight from the vine. Plus, its reliable production means you'll be enjoying fresh tomatoes all summer long, a real treat in our humid summers.

We Mid-Atlantic gardeners know we're not without our challenges: deer pressure, Japanese beetles, and variable spring weather are all part of the deal. But with a 188-day growing season, we have plenty of time to get Better Boy Tomatoes off to a strong start and enjoy a bountiful harvest. Careful timing and a little extra attention are the keys to success.

Starting Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go here in the Mid-Atlantic. You'll want to sow your seeds from mid-March through early April, roughly six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. This gives them a head start before our last expected frost.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) by bottom watering – set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil absorb it from the bottom. This prevents damping-off disease. Place the trays in a warm spot (around 70-75°F) and provide plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light. Our spring weather can be moderate, so don't rush them outside too soon.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors in late April through late May, after the danger of frost has passed. Before planting, you'll need to harden them off. This means gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week, starting with just an hour or two of sunlight and wind each day and increasing the time gradually.

Plant your Better Boy Tomatoes 24-36 inches apart in well-drained soil. Be sure to choose a sunny spot where they'll get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – unexpected cold snaps can still happen in late April and early May, so be prepared to cover your plants if necessary.

Better Boy Tomatoes are thirsty plants, and consistent watering is essential for a good harvest here in the Mid-Atlantic. Our humid summers can be tricky, so it's important to find the right balance. You want to avoid both drought stress and overly wet conditions.

As a general rule, aim to give your Better Boy Tomatoes about 1-2 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Use the "finger test" to check the soil moisture: stick your finger into the soil about 2 inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. In the peak of summer heat (moderate-to-hot) or during dry spells, you may 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 conditions.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry, cracked soil. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A layer of mulch around your plants (straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips) will help retain moisture in the soil and reduce the need for frequent watering.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. That means they need strong support to keep those heavy vines off the ground.

Cages or sturdy stakes both work well. Install the support when you transplant your seedlings to avoid disturbing the roots later. For cages, choose tall, heavy-duty ones that can handle the weight of a mature plant loaded with fruit. If you're using stakes, drive them deep into the ground next to the plant and tie the main stem to the stake every foot or so as it grows. The goal is to keep the plant upright and prevent the fruit from touching the soil.

Pruning helps improve air circulation and fruit production in Better Boy Tomatoes. The standard approach is to remove the "suckers" that grow in the crotch between the main stem and the branches. Pinch them off when they're small (a few inches long).

You can also remove the lower leaves that touch the ground to prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto the plant. Towards the end of the season (as first frost approaches in mid- October), you can top the plant by cutting off the growing tip. This will encourage the plant to focus its energy on ripening the existing fruit rather than producing new ones.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest from early July through late August, about 72 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ready to pick when they're a deep red color and slightly soft to the touch.

Gently twist or cut the fruit from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production, so check your plants every few days. As the first frost approaches in mid- October, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. Place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana to speed up the ripening process.

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

• Blossom End Rot
• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering. The drought/flood cycles we sometimes get in the Mid-Atlantic throw off the plant's ability to absorb calcium.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Remove any affected fruit.
• Cracking
• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either circles around the stem or lines radiating from it.
• What causes it: Heavy rain or watering after a dry spell. The fruit absorbs water too quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even soil moisture. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. You'll find big green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: Hawk moth larvae.
• 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. If you see hornworms with white cocoons on them, leave them alone – they're being parasitized by beneficial wasps.
• 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 our warm, humid summers.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base of the plant. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can help slow the spread.

Mid-Atlantic Specific Challenges: Our humid summers and even rainfall can create ideal conditions for fungal diseases like early blight and septoria leaf spot. Consistent watering is key to preventing blossom end rot and cracking, but be careful not to overwater, especially during periods of heavy rain.

Companion planting can help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive in the Mid-Atlantic.

• Good companions:
• Basil: Improves tomato flavor and repels pests.
• Carrots: Loosen the soil and deter soil pests.
• Parsley: Attracts beneficial insects and improves growth.
• French Marigolds: Repel nematodes and other soil pests.
• Bad companions:
• Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale): Inhibit tomato growth.
• Fennel: Inhibits the growth of many plants.
• Corn: Attracts tomato hornworms.