Better Boy Tomato in Zone 8A — Northern California

Better Boy Tomato is a fantastic choice for NorCal gardens. Its classic tomato flavor and versatility make it perfect for everything from fresh salads to canning, and the satisfying harvests are well-suited to our long Mediterranean climate growing season. Plus, this disease-resistant hybrid is more forgiving than heirlooms.

We face challenges like drought and increasingly erratic weather, but with careful planning and water-wise gardening practices, you can absolutely succeed with Better Boy. Our long 255-day growing season gives you a great head start!

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors in early to late February gives them a head start on our long growing season. Use seed trays or small pots filled with seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.

Bottom watering is your best bet. Set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. This prevents damping-off disease.

Place the trays in a warm spot (around 70-75°F) and provide plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light. Our early spring weather can be unpredictable, so indoor starts are key.

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

Space the plants 24-36 inches apart to allow for good air circulation and ample growth. Even though the days are warming up, keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to cover your young plants if a late cold snap threatens.

Better Boy Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially in our dry summers. Aim to provide about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on the weather. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil – if it feels dry, it's time to water.

Water deeply at the base of the plant to encourage strong root growth and avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease in our microclimates. Given our low humidity, overhead watering is generally okay, but base-watering is still preferable. During the hottest stretches, you may need to water more frequently.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil. Overwatering can cause yellowing leaves and potentially lead to root rot. Mulching around your tomato plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture in the soil and reduces evaporation, a crucial practice in our drought-prone region.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll grow vigorously throughout the season, reaching considerable size. They definitely need strong support! Cages or sturdy stakes are both great options.

Install your chosen support system at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently weave the stems through the cage or tie them loosely to the stake. This helps keep the heavy fruit off the ground and prevents the vines from breaking.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants can improve fruit size and air circulation. Focus on removing suckers, which are the small shoots that grow in the "V" between the main stem and the branches. Removing these directs the plant's energy towards fruit production.

Also, consider removing the lower leaves that touch the soil, as these are often the first to develop diseases. Prune regularly throughout the growing season, but don't go overboard. As the first frost approaches around mid- November, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest from early June through late July. The tomatoes are ready to pick when they are fully red, slightly soft to the touch, and easily pull away from the vine. Don't yank them! Gently twist and lift.

Harvest regularly to encourage the plant to produce more fruit. If a sudden cold snap threatens before all your tomatoes are ripe, harvest any mature green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen.

Place them in a single layer in a cool, dark place, and they should ripen in a week or two. With its strong disease resistance, Better Boy provides a reliable harvest, even with the challenges our NorCal weather throws our way.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Better Boy Tomatoes in Northern California:

Blossom End Rot

• What it looks like: A dark, sunken, leathery spot on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering leads to calcium deficiency. Common in our region with unpredictable rainfall patterns and water restrictions.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during fruit development. Mulch heavily to retain soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Remove affected fruit.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either in concentric circles around the stem or radiating lines.
• What causes it: Sudden changes in soil moisture, like heavy rain after a dry spell. The fruit expands faster than the skin can handle.
• How to fix/prevent it: Maintain consistent watering. Mulch well. Harvest tomatoes as soon as they ripen.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves disappear overnight. You might find large green caterpillars with white stripes and dark droppings on the leaves.
• What causes it: These are larvae of hawk moths. They can defoliate a plant very quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them off the plants. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray. If you see hornworms with white cocoons on their backs, leave them alone – those are beneficial parasitic wasp eggs.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on the lower leaves, which then yellow and drop.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It spreads through soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base of the plant. Improve air circulation. Use copper fungicide. Rotate crops yearly.

Northern California Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot summers, low humidity, and dry-summer rainfall patterns mean that consistent watering and mulching are crucial for preventing blossom end rot and cracking. Be vigilant about pest control, and take steps to prevent fungal diseases by providing good air circulation and watering at the base of the plants.

Companion planting can help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests, plus it improves the flavor of the tomatoes! Carrots and parsley attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. 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 can attract some of the same pests as tomatoes, so it's best to keep them separate.