Better Boy Tomato in Zone 8B — Desert Southwest

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason, and it earns its place in our Desert Southwest gardens. Its flavor is fantastic fresh off the vine, it's versatile for cooking, and the satisfaction of harvesting those big, juicy red fruits is hard to beat. Plus, its disease resistance gives us an edge in our climate.

Desert gardening definitely has its challenges, like extreme heat and alkaline soil, but with careful timing and smart strategies, we can absolutely grow Better Boy Tomatoes. Our 279-day growing season gives us the window we need to bring in a great crop before the worst of the summer hits.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go in our climate. You'll want to get those seeds going late January through mid February. That gives you about 6 weeks to get them strong before transplanting time.

Use seed trays or small pots with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them warm and provide plenty of light – a grow light works best. Bottom watering is ideal; set the tray in a shallow container of water and let the soil soak it up to avoid damping off. The very-early spring character here means we need to get a jump start indoors.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors mid March through early April. Before you plant them in the ground, you'll want to harden them off. Give them about a week of gradual exposure to the outdoors, starting with just a couple of hours a day and increasing the time each day.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in well-draining soil. Be mindful of late cold snaps that can still happen during this time of year. Covering your young plants with frost cloth will help protect them if temperatures dip unexpectedly.

Watering is absolutely crucial for Better Boy Tomatoes in our Desert Southwest climate. These plants need consistent moisture, especially when they're setting fruit, to prevent problems like blossom end rot and cracking. Remember, they are not drought tolerant.

During the spring, when temperatures are milder, aim for about 1-1.5 inches of water per week. As the extreme heat of summer arrives, you'll likely need to increase that to 2-3 inches per week, or even more during the hottest stretches. The finger test is your friend – stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water deeply at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage disease in our monsoon season.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulching around your plants with organic material like straw or wood chips will help retain moisture and keep the soil cooler.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing all season long, so they need strong support. A sturdy tomato cage or staking system is essential. These vines get BIG and heavy with fruit.

Install your support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently weave the stems through the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine. This will keep the plant upright, improve air circulation, and make harvesting easier.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato can help improve fruit size and overall plant health. The standard practice is to remove the suckers that grow in the "V" between the main stem and the branches. These suckers will just steal energy from the main plant and reduce fruit production.

Prune suckers early in the morning on a dry day. You can also remove the lower leaves as the plant grows to improve air circulation and prevent disease. As first frost approaches around early December, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first harvest of Better Boy Tomatoes late May through early July, about 72 days after transplanting. The fruits are ready to pick when they're a deep red color and have a slight give when you gently squeeze them.

To harvest, simply twist or cut the tomato from the vine, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches in early December, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer in a cool, dark place.

Here are some of the most common problems you might encounter with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Desert Southwest:

• 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. The extreme heat and cycles of monsoon moisture can make it hard to keep soil moisture consistent.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during fruit development. Mulch heavily. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. 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 after a dry spell. Our monsoon season can bring sudden downpours after long periods of dryness.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch. Harvest promptly when ripe.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Big green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them. Bt spray is effective. Leave hornworms with white cocoons – they're helping you!
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide slows the spread.

Desert Southwest Specific Challenges: The extreme heat can stress plants, making them more susceptible to problems. Low humidity can lead to blossom drop. And the alkaline soil can interfere with nutrient uptake. Consistent watering, proper soil amendments, and providing afternoon shade with shade cloth are key to success.

Companion planting can help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive in the Desert Southwest. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots improve the soil around tomato plants and deter nematodes. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds repel 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 tomato pests, and it also competes with tomatoes for nutrients and water, which are both critical resources in our dry climate.