Better Boy Tomato in Zone 7B — Mid-Atlantic

Better Boy Tomato is a backyard staple for Mid-Atlantic gardeners. Its classic tomato flavor is perfect for slicing, sandwiches, and sauces, and its reliable production makes it a satisfying choice for our four seasons. Growing your own means you get that vine-ripened taste that you just can't find in store-bought tomatoes.

We definitely have our share of gardening challenges here in the Mid-Atlantic, including humidity and deer, but don't let that scare you off! With a little planning and attention to timing, you can absolutely grow beautiful Better Boy tomatoes. Our 214-day growing season gives you plenty of time to get a great harvest.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors from late February through mid March gives them a head start on our growing season. This is especially helpful since our spring weather can be so variable. You'll want to sow your seeds in seed trays filled with a good seed-starting mix.

Keep the trays warm (around 70-75°F) and provide plenty of light, either from a sunny windowsill or a grow light. Bottom watering is a great way to keep the soil consistently moist without overwatering. Just set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors from mid April through mid May, once the danger of frost has passed. Be sure to harden them off first by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind, preventing transplant shock.

Space your plants 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast around transplant time. Those late cold snaps can set your tomatoes back, so be ready to cover them if needed.

Better Boy Tomatoes are thirsty plants, especially during our humid summers. Consistent watering is key to preventing blossom end rot and cracking, so you'll want to develop a good watering routine. The goal is about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall.

Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger about 2 inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water deeply at the base of the plant, rather than overhead, to avoid creating a humid environment around the leaves that can encourage fungal diseases. In the Mid-Atlantic, we often get enough rainfall that you won't need to water every week, but pay attention to the forecast.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around your tomato plants helps retain soil moisture and keeps the soil temperature more consistent, which is especially useful with our clay soil.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. These vigorous vines need sturdy support to keep them off the ground and prevent the heavy fruit from weighing them down. Cages or stakes both work well.

Install your chosen support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. Cages are easy to use and provide all-around support, while stakes require you to tie the plant to the stake as it grows. Either way, make sure your support is strong enough to handle a fully loaded tomato plant.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants helps improve air circulation and fruit size. Focus on removing the suckers that grow in the crotches between the main stem and the branches. These suckers will eventually develop into new stems, but they'll divert energy away from fruit production.

Prune suckers early in the morning on a dry day to minimize the risk of disease. As the end of the season approaches (around early November in the Mid-Atlantic), you can also prune the top of the plant to encourage the remaining fruit to ripen before the first frost.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest from late June through mid August, about 72 days after transplanting. The tomatoes are ripe when they're a deep red color and have a slight give when you gently squeeze them. The strong disease resistance of Better Boy means you should have a good, reliable harvest even in our humid climate.

To harvest, gently twist the tomato until it separates from the vine. Avoid pulling, which can damage the plant. Regularly harvesting ripe tomatoes encourages the plant to continue producing more fruit. As the first frost approaches in early November here in the Mid-Atlantic, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen.

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. Our variable spring weather can lead to periods of drought followed by heavy rain, which disrupts calcium uptake.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. 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 period. The fruit absorbs water too quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Consistent watering and mulching are key. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Look for large green caterpillars with white stripes and dark droppings.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick the hornworms (they're easy to spot). Bt spray is effective. If you see hornworms with white cocoons, leave them - they're being parasitized by beneficial wasps.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in our warm, humid summers. Spreads through soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can slow the spread.

Mid-Atlantic Specific Challenges: Our humid summers can exacerbate fungal diseases like early blight, making good air circulation and careful watering even more important. The even rainfall can be a blessing and a curse – it's great for consistent growth, but it also means you need to be vigilant about blossom end rot and cracking if the rain is inconsistent.

Companion planting can give your Better Boy Tomatoes a boost. Basil is a classic companion, improving tomato flavor and repelling pests. Carrots loosen the soil and their roots don't compete with tomatoes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt tomato growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes. Corn competes for nutrients and sunlight, so it's best to keep them separated.