Better Boy Tomato in Zone 6A — Great Plains

Better Boy Tomato is a fantastic choice for Great Plains gardeners. Its classic tomato flavor, perfect for slicing, sandwiches, and sauces, makes it incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Plus, its disease resistance gives you a real shot at a bountiful harvest, something every Plains gardener appreciates after a long winter.

Our region throws everything at us – wind, heat, hail, and those extreme temperature swings. But with a little planning and attention to timing, you can absolutely enjoy homegrown Better Boy Tomatoes. Our 188-day growing season is just enough time to get a great crop if you start smart.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors from mid-March through early April is crucial for getting a jump on our relatively short growing season. That's about 6 weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix.

Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) by watering from the bottom. This helps prevent damping-off disease, especially with our variable spring weather. Provide plenty of warmth and light – a heat mat and grow lights can make a big difference, especially if you're dealing with a cool spring.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors from late April through late May, once the danger of frost has passed. Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind, which can be brutal on tender young plants.

Space your plants 24-36 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. This is important in our region to help prevent disease. Be sure to protect young transplants from strong winds and potential late frosts with row covers or other temporary shelters.

Watering is key to success with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Great Plains. They need consistent moisture to produce those big, juicy, crack-free fruits. Since they aren't drought-tolerant, you'll need to stay on top of it, especially during our hot, dry summers.

Aim to water deeply about 1-2 inches per week, depending on rainfall. Use the finger test: stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil near the base of the plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage disease in our low-to-moderate humidity.

During the hottest part of the summer, you may need to water more frequently. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around your plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is really important with our extreme temperature swings.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They get big and heavy, so sturdy support is essential. Cages or stakes both work well, but cages are often easier to manage for these vigorous vines.

Install your support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently train the vines to stay within the cage or tie them loosely to the stake. Wind protection is also important in the Plains. If your garden is exposed, consider using a windbreak or planting your tomatoes in a sheltered location.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants can improve fruit size and air circulation. Focus on removing suckers – the small shoots that grow in the crotch between the main stem and a branch. Pinch them off when they're small to redirect the plant's energy into fruit production.

You can also remove the lower leaves that touch the soil to help prevent disease. Prune regularly throughout the season, but don't go overboard. Remember, this disease-resistant hybrid can handle less pruning than some other varieties. As the first frost approaches around mid-October, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest from early July through late August, about 72 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ripe when they're a deep red color and have a slight give when gently squeezed.

Harvest by gently twisting the fruit from the vine, leaving the stem attached. Regular harvesting encourages continued production, so check your plants frequently. 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 Great Plains:

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 often experience in the Plains messes with calcium uptake.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently! Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Remove affected fruit.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either circles around the stem or lines radiating from the stem.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell. Common with our variable rainfall in the Plains.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Big green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: Hawk moth larvae that feed voraciously.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're big and easy to spot). Bt spray is effective and organic.

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.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide slows spread.

Great Plains Specific Challenges: Our hot heat can stress plants and make them more susceptible to problems. Low-to-moderate humidity helps reduce some disease pressure, but variable rainfall makes consistent watering a must. Wind protection is also essential to prevent damage and stress.

Companion planting can really help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive in the Plains. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Plus, it improves the flavor of your tomatoes. Carrot and parsley also attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests.

French marigolds are another good choice – they deter nematodes and other soil-borne pests. Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near your tomatoes, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel is also a bad companion because it inhibits the growth of many plants. Corn can block sunlight and reduce air circulation, which isn't ideal for tomatoes in our region.