Better Boy Tomato in Zone 6A — Mountain West

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason, and it's a rewarding choice for us Mountain gardeners. Its fantastic flavor shines in everything from fresh salads to homemade sauces, and the satisfaction of harvesting big, juicy tomatoes after our short growing season is hard to beat. Plus, its disease resistance is a real help in our unpredictable climate.

Of course, high altitude gardening presents unique challenges. Our intense sun, cool nights, and short 153-day growing season demand careful planning. But with a little attention to timing and a few Mountain-specific strategies, you can absolutely enjoy a bountiful harvest of Better Boy Tomatoes.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is essential in our climate. Aim to sow your seeds from late March through mid April, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. You have about a 3-week window.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Provide consistent warmth (around 70-75°F) using a heat mat if needed, and make sure your seedlings get plenty of light. A grow light is almost a must, given our late spring and tendency for cloudy days. Bottom watering helps prevent damping-off, so set your trays in a shallow container of water and let the soil soak it up.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors from mid May through mid June, after the danger of frost has passed. Hardening off your plants for about a week beforehand is crucial. Gradually expose them to outdoor conditions, starting with an hour or two of shade and increasing the time each day.

When transplanting, space your plants 24-36 inches apart. Even in late May, our nights can still get surprisingly cold, so keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to cover your seedlings if a late frost threatens.

Better Boy Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially in our dry Mountain climate. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Stick your finger about two inches deep into the soil – if it feels dry, it's time to water.

During the peak of summer, your Better Boy Tomatoes will likely need about 1-2 inches of water per week, especially since we get so little natural rainfall. Water deeply at the base of the plant to encourage strong root growth and avoid splashing water on the leaves, which can lead to disease, even with this variety's disease resistance. Low humidity means you can often get away with watering in the evening.

Wilting leaves in the morning are a sign of underwatering, while yellowing lower leaves can indicate overwatering. Mulching around your plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and keeps the soil temperature more even, which is really helpful with our big temperature swings.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. That means they need strong support. A sturdy tomato cage or staking system is essential to keep those vigorous vines and heavy fruits off the ground.

Install your chosen support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later on. As the plant grows, gently weave the stems through the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine. This will prevent the plant from sprawling and ensure good air circulation, which is important even with our low humidity.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants helps improve airflow and encourages larger, earlier fruit. Focus on removing the "suckers" that grow in the crotches between the main stem and the branches. These suckers will eventually produce their own stems, leaves, and fruit, but they can also divert energy from the main plant.

Start pruning suckers early in the season, as soon as you see them. You can also remove the lower leaves of the plant as they start to yellow or touch the ground. As the end of the season approaches (late September), you can pinch off the top of the plant to encourage the remaining fruits to ripen before our first frost, which is usually around early October.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest from late July through mid September, about 72 days after transplanting. The fruits are ready to pick when they are 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, being careful not to damage the stem. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to keep producing more fruit. As the weather cools in late September and early October, keep a close eye on the forecast. If a frost is predicted, harvest any remaining mature green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer in a cool, dark place.

Even though Better Boy is known for disease resistance, here's what to watch out for:

• 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. Common with our dry conditions followed by sudden heavy watering (or hail).
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch heavily. Avoid over-fertilizing. Remove 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: Rapid changes in soil moisture, like heavy rain after a dry spell. Our dry summers make this common.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch well. 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 guys love tomato plants. They can defoliate a plant quickly if you don't catch them.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (look closely, they blend in!). Bt spray works well. 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: A fungal disease that thrives in warm conditions and spreads from soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves. Mulch. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can help.

Mountain West Specific Challenges: The intense sun at our altitude can sometimes exacerbate cracking and blossom end rot, so consistent watering and shading during the hottest part of the day can be helpful. Our cool nights, while great for flavor, can also slow ripening, so be patient and consider using season extension techniques like row covers if needed. The low humidity helps reduce fungal diseases overall.

Companion planting can give your Better Boy Tomato plants a boost. Basil is a classic pairing because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests, plus it improves the flavor of the tomatoes. Carrots loosen the soil and don't compete for the same nutrients. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting tomatoes near brassicas like cabbage and broccoli, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes, so keep it far away. Corn competes for nutrients and can also block sunlight, which is precious at our altitude.