Better Boy Tomato in Zone 8A — Pacific Northwest

Better Boy Tomato is a garden favorite for good reason. Its classic tomato flavor, juicy texture, and versatility in the kitchen make it a rewarding choice for Pacific Northwest gardeners. Plus, their disease resistance gives you a head start in our region, where late blight can be a concern.

While we enjoy mild summers, our cool springs and relatively short stretches of consistent heat can be a challenge for heat-loving tomatoes. However, with a little planning and attention to timing, you can harvest plenty of delicious Better Boys during our 203-day growing season.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go here in the PNW. Aim to sow your seeds early to late March, roughly six weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. This gives your plants a strong head start before our often-overcast spring days arrive.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) by bottom watering – set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. Place the trays in a warm location, ideally around 70-75°F, and provide plenty of light with a grow light or a sunny windowsill.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors late April through late May, once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. Before planting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade, increasing the time and sun exposure each day.

When transplanting, space your plants 24-36 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Be mindful of late-season cold snaps that can happen even in late spring. If frost threatens, cover your young plants with blankets or cloches.

Better Boy Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially during our dry summer months. In the PNW, that means paying close attention to soil moisture, even when it seems like it might rain soon. Stick your finger about two inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

During our typically dry summer months, aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Water deeply at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases. Overwatering can be just as detrimental as underwatering, so watch for signs like yellowing leaves. Underwatering shows as wilting, even in the morning.

Mulching around your tomato plants with straw or wood chips helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature – all beneficial in our climate.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. These vigorous vines get heavy with fruit, so sturdy support is essential. Cages or stakes both work well, but choose something robust enough to handle the weight.

Install your support system at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. If using stakes, tie the main stem to the stake every foot or so as the plant grows, using soft twine or plant ties. Cages should be tall and wide enough to accommodate the plant's mature size.

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 branches. These suckers will steal energy from fruit production if left unchecked.

Pinch off suckers early in the morning when they are small and easy to remove. Also, remove any yellowing or diseased leaves, especially those near the bottom of the plant. As the end of our growing season approaches (late October), you can top the main stem to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen before frost.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest early July through late August, about 72 days after transplanting. Ripe tomatoes will be a deep red color, slightly soft to the touch, and easily pull away from the vine.

Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production. Leaving ripe tomatoes on the vine can signal the plant to slow down fruit production. As the first frost approaches in late October, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They may not taste quite as good as vine-ripened tomatoes, but they're still delicious in sauces and chutneys.

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

Blossom End Rot

• What it looks like: A dark, sunken spot on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering leads to calcium deficiency. Our wet springs followed by dry summers can trigger this.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch well to retain soil moisture. Remove affected tomatoes.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either around the stem or radiating outwards.
• What causes it: Rapid changes in soil moisture, like heavy rain after a dry period.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even soil moisture. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large green caterpillars eating leaves, often leaving only stems behind.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them off the plants. Bt spray is effective. Look for parasitic wasp cocoons and leave those caterpillars alone.

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.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves. Water at the base of the plant. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can help.

Pacific Northwest Specific Challenges: Our mild summer heat means Better Boy Tomatoes might take a little longer to ripen fully compared to hotter climates. Consistent watering is especially crucial during our dry summer months to prevent blossom end rot and cracking. Late blight is always a threat in the PNW, but Better Boy's disease resistance helps. Keep an eye out for slugs, especially on young plants.

Companion planting can help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive. Basil is a classic companion, improving tomato flavor and repelling pests. Carrots and parsley are also good choices, attracting 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 is also a bad companion, inhibiting the growth of many plants. Corn can shade tomatoes, which they don't appreciate in our region where we need all the sun we can get.