Better Boy Tomato in Zone 7B — Pacific Northwest

Better Boy Tomato is a popular choice for Pacific Northwest gardeners, and for good reason. Its classic tomato flavor is perfect for slicing, sandwiches, and sauces. Plus, its reliable yields bring satisfaction, even in our region's mild summers and cool nights, which actually enhance the flavor of your homegrown tomatoes.

While the PNW climate presents some challenges for warm-season crops like tomatoes, especially with our often overcast spring days and risk of late blight, the long growing season of around 193 days means we can still enjoy a bountiful tomato harvest. Careful timing and a few tricks will help you succeed.

Starting Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors gives them a head start, crucial for our shorter summers. Aim to sow your seeds indoors from mid-March through early April, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. This gives them a chance to get established before our soil warms up.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist, and provide warmth (a heat mat can help) and plenty of light. Bottom watering helps prevent damping off; set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. Remember, things move slowly in spring here, so be patient!

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors from late April through late May, once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up a bit. Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This prevents transplant shock.

Choose a sunny spot and space your plants 24-36 inches apart. Even though we have mild summers, late frosts can happen, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. If a cold snap is predicted, be ready to cover your young plants.

Better Boy Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially during our dry summer months. Uneven watering can lead to problems like blossom end rot and cracking, so maintaining consistent soil moisture is key. This disease-resistant hybrid is more forgiving than heirlooms, but it still needs attention.

During the wet springs, you may not need to water at all, but once the dry summer months arrive, check the soil moisture regularly. Stick your finger about two inches deep into the soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our sometimes humid climate. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, while yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering. A layer of mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit throughout the season. They have vigorous vines and heavy fruit, so sturdy support is essential. Cages or stakes work well, but strong cages are generally preferred since they require less tying.

Install your chosen support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently guide the stems through the cage or tie them to the stake. This will keep the plant upright and prevent the fruit from touching the soil.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato helps improve air circulation and encourages larger fruit. The standard approach is to remove suckers, which are the small shoots that grow between the main stem and the branches. Pinch them off when they're small.

Also, remove the lower leaves that touch the soil to prevent the spread of soilborne diseases. Toward the end of the season, as the first frost approaches in late October, you can pinch off the top of 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 are a deep red color and have a slight give when gently squeezed.

To harvest, gently twist the fruit until it separates from the stem, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches in late October, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen on a windowsill or in a paper bag.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Pacific Northwest:

• 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 common issue with our sometimes unpredictable rainfall patterns during the dry summer months.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. 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: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell, causing the fruit to absorb water faster than the skin can expand. This is especially common when we have a sudden downpour after weeks of dry weather.
• 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. Large green caterpillars with white diagonal stripes. Dark droppings on leaves below.
• What causes it: Larvae of hawk moths. They can decimate a plant quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're big and easy to spot). Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective.
• 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. Spreads via soil splash. Our mild, but sometimes humid, summers can create favorable 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. Rotate crops yearly.

Pacific Northwest Specific Challenges: Our mild summers and dry-summer rainfall patterns mean consistent watering is crucial to prevent blossom end rot and cracking. Late blight is a major concern, but Better Boy's disease resistance offers an advantage. Cool soil in spring can slow growth, so starting indoors is highly recommended. Slugs are always a nuisance here, so use your preferred control methods.

Companion planting can help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive.

• Basil: Improves tomato flavor and repels pests. It does well in our mild summer climate.
• Carrots: Improve soil aeration, which is beneficial in our sometimes heavy clay soils.
• Parsley: Attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests.
• Marigold (French): Repels nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting tomatoes near:

• Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale): Can stunt tomato growth.
• Fennel: Inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes.
• Corn: Attracts the same pests, increasing the risk of infestation.