Better Boy Tomato in Zone 9B — Florida

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason, and it's a rewarding choice for Florida gardeners. The flavor is fantastic – a perfect balance of sweet and tangy – making it ideal for slicing, sandwiches, and sauces. Plus, the satisfaction of harvesting large, juicy tomatoes from your own backyard in late spring, before the intense summer heat sets in, is hard to beat.

While Florida gardening has its challenges, like high humidity and potential for fungal diseases, the Better Boy Tomato's disease resistance and our reversed growing season make it a very doable crop. We can get a great head start in the cooler months and enjoy a good harvest before the real heat arrives. With a 344-day growing season, we have a unique advantage.

Here in Florida, we start our tomato seeds indoors earlier than many other parts of the country. You'll want to start your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors from mid-December through early January. This gives you about six weeks to get them strong and ready for transplanting.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist – bottom watering is a great method to avoid disturbing the delicate seedlings. Provide warmth and plenty of light, either from a sunny window or, even better, a grow light. Remember, our spring is reversed, so getting a jump start indoors is key!

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors from early February through early March. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sun and wind, preventing shock.

When transplanting, space the plants 24-36 inches apart. Even though it may still feel like winter to others, our weather can be unpredictable. Be mindful of any late cold snaps, and be prepared to cover the plants if temperatures dip unexpectedly.

Consistent watering is crucial for Better Boy Tomatoes in Florida, especially with our sandy soil. These tomatoes need a lot of water to produce those big, juicy fruits, and inconsistent watering can lead to problems like blossom end rot and cracking.

During our drier spring, aim to give your plants 1-2 inches of water per week. Use the "finger test" – 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, avoiding overhead watering as much as possible to minimize fungal disease issues in our humid climate. Once our wet summer season arrives, you may be able to reduce supplemental watering, but still keep an eye on the soil moisture.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil. Overwatering can cause yellowing leaves and potentially root rot. Adding a good layer of mulch around the base of your plants will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is beneficial in our climate.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. They need strong support to handle the weight of all those tomatoes!

A sturdy cage is often the easiest option, providing all-around support as the plant grows. Staking is another good choice, but it requires more frequent tying to keep the plant upright. Install your chosen support at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently guide the vines to grow within or along the support structure.

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

Also, prune the lower leaves that touch the soil to help prevent fungal diseases. Start pruning a few weeks after transplanting and continue throughout the growing season. As we approach late December and the threat of our first frost, you can prune off any new blossoms to encourage the plant to focus on ripening the existing fruit.

You can expect your first harvest of Better Boy Tomatoes from mid-April through early June. The tomatoes are ready to pick when they are a deep red color and have a slight give when gently squeezed.

To harvest, gently twist the tomato until the stem snaps off. Avoid pulling, which can damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to continue producing more fruit. As late December approaches and the threat of frost looms, harvest any remaining green tomatoes. They will ripen indoors in a warm, well-lit place.

Here's what to watch out for with Better Boy Tomatoes in Florida:

• Blossom End Rot
• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the tomato. It usually affects the first fruits of the season.
• What causes it: Calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering. The sandy soil in Florida can dry out quickly, leading to this issue.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Remove affected fruit to encourage the plant to produce healthy tomatoes.
• 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: Rapid changes in soil moisture, often caused by heavy rain after a dry period. The fruit absorbs water too quickly, causing the skin to split.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently to avoid the dry/wet cycle. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.
• 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 can defoliate a plant quickly.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick the hornworms and drop them in soapy water. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray is an effective organic option.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings (target pattern) on the lower leaves, spreading upward. Leaves turn yellow and drop.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in our warm, humid climate. Spreads via 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 through spacing and pruning. Copper fungicide can help slow the spread.

Florida's hot heat, very-high humidity, and wet-summer rainfall create a perfect environment for fungal diseases and nematodes. Selecting nematode-resistant varieties and practicing good garden hygiene (removing diseased leaves, proper spacing) are key to success.

Companion planting can be a great way to improve the health and productivity of your Better Boy Tomatoes here in Florida.

Good companions include basil (repels pests), carrots (improves soil), parsley (attracts beneficial insects), and French marigolds (nematode control). On the other hand, avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near your tomatoes, as they can inhibit tomato growth. Fennel is also a bad companion, as it can stunt the growth of many plants. Corn isn't great either, as it attracts the same pests.