Better Boy Tomato in Zone 7A — Mountain West

Better Boy Tomato is a winner in our Mountain gardens. It delivers that classic tomato flavor we all crave, perfect for slicing, sauces, or canning. Plus, it's a reliable producer, giving you a satisfying harvest even with our cool nights and intense sun.

Our high altitude, short growing season, and alkaline soil present challenges, but with careful timing and a few tricks, you can absolutely enjoy homegrown Better Boys. Our 173-day growing season is enough time to get a great harvest.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go in the Mountain West. You'll want to get those seeds going mid-March through early April, giving them about 6 weeks to get a head start before transplanting. Remember, our spring weather is often late to arrive.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with seed-starting mix. Keep them warm – around 70-75°F – and provide plenty of light. A grow light works wonders, especially with our intense UV at altitude. Bottom watering helps prevent damping-off, which can be a problem in the cooler temperatures of early spring.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors early May through early June, once the danger of frost has passed. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This is crucial to avoid shocking them after their cozy indoor life.

Space your plants 24-36 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, which helps prevent disease in our variable mountain weather. Keep an eye on those nighttime temperatures—a late frost can still happen, so be ready to cover your plants if needed.

Consistent watering is key to plump, juicy Better Boy Tomatoes in our dry Mountain climate. Our moderate-at-altitude heat combined with low humidity and limited rainfall means you need to be vigilant. These tomatoes are not drought tolerant.

During the peak of summer, aim to give your plants about 1-2 inches of water per week, watering deeply. Use the finger test: if the top 2 inches of soil are dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, as this can encourage fungal diseases even with our low humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch, like straw or wood chips, helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially important with our intense sun.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing all season long. This also means they need strong support! A sturdy cage or stake is essential to keep those heavy vines and fruits off the ground.

Install your support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. Cages are easy to use, providing all-around support as the plant grows. If you choose to stake, tie the main stem to the stake every foot or so, using soft twine to avoid cutting into the plant.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants helps improve fruit size and air circulation. Focus on removing suckers – those small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and branches. Pinch them off when they're small.

Also, remove the lower leaves that touch the soil to prevent soil-borne diseases from splashing up onto the plant. As the first frost approaches in early October, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest mid-July through early September, about 72 days after transplanting. Look for large, red fruits that have a slight give when gently squeezed. The strong disease resistance of this hybrid makes for a reliable harvest, even with our unpredictable weather.

To harvest, gently twist the fruit until the stem snaps. Avoid pulling, which can damage the plant. Keep harvesting regularly to encourage continued production.

As the first frost approaches in early October, harvest any remaining green tomatoes. They can ripen indoors in a paper bag or on a windowsill.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Mountain West:

• Blossom End Rot
• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the fruit.
• What causes it: Calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering, common in our dry climate. The intense sun can dry out the soil quickly, leading to fluctuations in moisture.
• 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 in circles around the stem or radiating lines.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell. The fruit absorbs water too quickly. This is exacerbated by our dry conditions followed by sudden thunderstorms.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently and mulch well. Harvest promptly when ripe.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Large green caterpillars with white stripes. Dark droppings on leaves.
• What causes it: Hawk moth larvae. They can defoliate plants quickly in our short growing season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective and organic.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions, though our low humidity helps. It spreads via soil splash onto lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide slows spread.

Mountain West Specific Challenges: Our moderate-at-altitude heat can reduce the severity of diseases like early blight compared to hotter regions. However, our low humidity means blossom end rot and cracking are more likely if watering isn't consistent. The intense UV can also stress plants, making them more susceptible to problems, so proper watering and mulching are key.

Companion planting can give your Better Boy Tomatoes a boost in our Mountain gardens. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Carrots improve the soil around tomatoes and may deter nematodes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds also deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel is also a bad companion as it inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn can attract tomato pests, so keep them separated in your garden.