Better Boy Tomato in Zone 8B — Florida

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason. Its fantastic flavor and versatility make it a favorite for sandwiches, salads, and sauces. Here in Florida, getting that first ripe tomato from your own garden in late spring after our mild winter is incredibly satisfying.

We have our share of challenges here in Florida with the humidity and pests, but don't let that scare you. With our long, 303-day growing season and a little planning, you can absolutely enjoy a bountiful harvest of Better Boy tomatoes. Timing is key to working with, not against, our subtropical climate.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors is the way to go in Florida. Aim to start your seeds mid-January through early February. This gives you about 6 weeks to get them strong before transplanting.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them warm – a heat mat helps – and provide plenty of light with grow lights. Remember, our spring is "reversed" – it warms up fast, so you need to be ready to transplant! Water gently from the bottom to avoid damping-off, which is a common problem with our high humidity.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors early to late March, after the last frost risk has passed. Before you plant them in the ground, harden them off by gradually exposing them to the outdoor elements for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind.

Space your plants 24-36 inches apart to give them plenty of room to grow. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – a late cold snap can still happen, so be ready to cover your young plants if needed.

Watering is critical for Better Boy Tomatoes, especially with our hot, humid summers here in Florida. These tomatoes need consistent moisture to produce those big, juicy, crack-free fruits. The disease-resistant hybrid is more forgiving, but still needs proper care.

During the spring growing season, aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil – if it feels dry, it's time to water. As the weather heats up in summer, you may need to water more frequently, especially if we're in a dry spell. While we get a lot of rain in the summer, it can come in bursts, so don't assume your plants are getting enough.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet. Overhead watering in our humid climate can encourage fungal diseases. Look for signs of underwatering (wilting leaves) or overwatering (yellowing leaves). Mulch around your plants with pine straw or wood chips to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They need strong support to handle those heavy vines and fruits. Cages or sturdy stakes work best.

Install your support system at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently weave the vines through the cage or tie them to the stake with soft twine. This will keep the plant upright and prevent the fruit from touching the ground, which can lead to rot.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants helps improve air circulation and fruit size. Focus on removing the suckers that grow in the "V" between the main stem and branches. These suckers will develop into additional stems, but they can crowd the plant and reduce fruit production.

Prune suckers early in the morning on a dry day to help prevent disease. Also, remove any yellowing or diseased lower leaves to improve airflow. As the end of the season approaches (around mid- December), you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen before the first frost.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest mid May through late June, 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.

Harvest by gently twisting the fruit off the vine, leaving the stem attached. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to keep producing. As the first frost approaches around mid- 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.

Even with its disease resistance, Better Boy Tomato can face some problems in Florida's climate. Here's how to tackle the most common ones:

Blossom End Rot

• What it looks like: Sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering. Our sandy soil drains quickly, and alternating between dry and wet conditions makes it hard for the plant to absorb calcium.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which can interfere with calcium uptake. Remove affected fruit.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either in circles around the stem or radiating lines from the stem.
• What causes it: Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell. The fruit absorbs water too quickly for the skin to expand.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently to avoid the dry/wet cycle. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. You might also see large green caterpillars with white stripes and dark droppings on the leaves.
• What causes it: These are the larvae of hawk moths. They love tomato plants and can defoliate them quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick them (they're easy to spot). Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is effective and organic. If you see white cocoons on a hornworm, leave it alone – those are beneficial parasitic wasp eggs.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (target or bullseye pattern) on lower leaves first, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: Fungal disease (Alternaria solani) that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It spreads via soil splash onto lower leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves (don't compost). Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base, not overhead. Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. Copper fungicide can slow the spread.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot, humid summers and wet-summer rainfall create a perfect environment for fungal diseases like early blight. High humidity also makes blossom end rot and cracking more likely. Regular monitoring, proper watering techniques, and good air circulation are key to keeping your Better Boy Tomatoes healthy in Florida. And be on the lookout for nematodes in our sandy soil – consider using nematode-resistant rootstock if they're a problem in your area.

Companion planting can really help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive. Basil is a great choice because it repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Plus, it improves the flavor of your tomatoes! Carrots and parsley attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests. French marigolds also help repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near your tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel is also a bad companion because it inhibits the growth of many plants. And corn competes for nutrients in the soil.