Better Boy Tomato in Zone 7A — Desert Southwest

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason: the reliably delicious, juicy fruit is perfect for slicing, sauces, and everything in between. Here in the Desert Southwest, the satisfaction of harvesting your own sun-ripened tomatoes after our brief but intense spring is hard to beat. Plus, Better Boy's disease resistance gives you a leg up in our challenging climate.

Sure, our extreme heat and alkaline soil present unique hurdles for desert gardening, but with careful timing and smart strategies, you can absolutely enjoy a bountiful tomato harvest. Our long 230-day growing season gives you two solid chances to get it right.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors gives them a head start before the desert heat kicks in. Aim to sow your seeds from mid February through mid March, roughly six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. This timing takes advantage of our very-early spring.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix, and keep them consistently warm (around 70-75°F) using a heat mat. Provide plenty of light with grow lights, especially since our spring days can still be a bit cloudy. Water from the bottom by placing the tray in a shallow dish of water; this encourages strong root growth without damping off.

Once the danger of frost has passed, usually from early April through early May, it's time to transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the intense desert sun.

Plant seedlings 24-36 inches apart in well-draining soil amended with compost. Be mindful of late-season temperature swings, and protect young plants from wind and sun if needed.

Consistent watering is absolutely crucial for Better Boy Tomatoes in our arid Desert Southwest climate. These plants need a lot of water to produce those juicy fruits, and inconsistent moisture leads to problems like blossom end rot and cracking. During the hottest part of summer, expect to water deeply every other day, providing at least 2 inches of water per week.

Use the finger test: stick your finger into the soil about 2 inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases even in our low humidity. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil, while overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot.

Mulch around your tomato plants with organic matter like straw or wood chips to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. This is especially important in our extreme heat.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing all season long. These vigorous vines need sturdy support to handle the weight of all those tomatoes. Cages or stakes work well, but choose something robust enough to handle a heavy load.

Install your chosen support system at planting time to avoid damaging the roots later. As the plant grows, gently weave the stems through the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato helps improve air circulation and fruit production. Focus on removing suckers, which are the small shoots that grow in the "armpit" between the main stem and a branch. Removing these directs the plant's energy towards fruit development.

Also, prune the lower leaves that touch the soil to prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing onto the foliage. In late summer, as our first frost approaches around early November, you can top the plant by cutting off the growing tip to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first harvest of Better Boy Tomatoes from mid June through early August, about 72 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ripe when they are a deep red color and have a slight give when gently squeezed. Strong disease resistance means you should have plenty to pick!

Gently twist or cut the tomato from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen in a paper bag.

Here are some common problems to watch out for with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Desert Southwest:

• 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, a frequent issue with our monsoon season's boom-and-bust moisture.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during fruit development. Mulch heavily. Remove affected fruit.
• Cracking
• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either concentric circles around the stem or radial lines radiating from the stem.
• What causes it: Rapid changes in soil moisture, often after heavy monsoon rains following a dry spell.
• 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 find large green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths that can quickly defoliate your plants.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're easy to spot). Bt spray is a safe and effective organic control.
• 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, humid conditions, often spread by soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base.

Desert Southwest Specific Challenges: Our extreme heat can stress tomato plants, making them more susceptible to problems. The arid humidity means blossom end rot and cracking are more challenging. The monsoon season can bring welcome moisture, but also create conditions for fungal diseases if you're not careful.

Companion planting can help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive in the Desert Southwest. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests, plus it improves the flavor of the tomatoes. Carrots also work well, as they loosen the soil and attract beneficial insects. Parsley attracts predatory wasps that control pests. French marigolds repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they compete for nutrients. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can block sunlight and air circulation, which is especially problematic in our intense summer heat.