Better Boy Tomato in Zone 9B — Texas

Better Boy Tomato is a classic for a reason, and it really shines in our Texas gardens. The flavor is that perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making it great for slicing, sauces, or just popping in your mouth straight from the vine. Plus, they're pretty reliable producers, giving you plenty of tomatoes for eating fresh and canning, too.

Our unpredictable weather can be tough on tomatoes, no doubt. But with a little planning and attention to watering, you can definitely get a great harvest. The long, 308-day growing season in Zone 9B gives you a wide window to plant and harvest, meaning you can enjoy those juicy Better Boys for a good part of the year.

Starting Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors gives you a head start on our early spring. You'll want to get those seeds going in early to late January, about six weeks before you plan to put them in the ground. Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix.

Keep the soil consistently moist, and a heat mat underneath can really help with germination. Bottom watering is key here: set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. Once the seedlings pop up, make sure they get plenty of light – a grow light works best. Remember, we often get some early warmth in Texas, so starting indoors lets you take advantage of that without risking damage to young plants.

Once the danger of frost has passed – usually mid February through mid March – it's time to get your Better Boy Tomato plants in the ground. Before you do, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade and increase the time each day.

Plant them 24-36 inches apart in well-drained soil. Be mindful of late freezes that can still happen here in Texas. If a freeze is predicted, cover your seedlings with blankets or buckets to protect them.

Watering is absolutely critical for Better Boy Tomatoes, especially with our Texas heat. These plants need consistent moisture to produce those big, juicy fruits, and inconsistent watering leads to problems like blossom end rot and cracking. During the hottest part of summer, when temps are regularly hitting the 90s, you'll likely need to water deeply every 2-3 days, providing about 1.5-2 inches of water per week.

Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil near the base of the plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can encourage fungal diseases. Because our humidity is variable, keeping the leaves dry is a good strategy.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry soil. Overwatering can cause yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch around your tomato plants helps retain moisture and keep the soil temperature more even, which is a lifesaver during our hot, dry spells.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing all season long. They're also vigorous, so they need strong support. A tall, sturdy cage is often the easiest option.

Install the cage at planting time to avoid damaging the roots later. You can also use stakes, but you'll need to tie the main stem to the stake every foot or so as it grows. The goal is to keep those heavy fruits off the ground, preventing rot and making them easier to harvest.

Pruning Better Boy Tomatoes helps improve airflow and encourages larger fruit. Focus on removing the suckers that grow in the crotch between the main stem and the branches. Pinch them off when they're small.

You can also prune some of the lower leaves, especially as the plant gets bigger, to improve air circulation and prevent diseases. As we approach the first frost in early December, you can top the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest in early May through mid June. The tomatoes are ready to pick when they're a deep red color and have a slight give when you gently squeeze them.

Grasp the tomato firmly and twist or snip it off the vine. Check your plants regularly, as ripe tomatoes left on the vine can attract pests and become susceptible to cracking. To encourage continued production, keep harvesting the ripe tomatoes. As the first frost approaches, harvest any remaining green tomatoes and bring them indoors to ripen. They'll ripen best in a single layer, out of direct sunlight.

Better Boy Tomatoes are generally pretty disease-resistant, but here are a few common problems you might encounter in Texas:

• Blossom End Rot
• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Inconsistent watering leads to calcium deficiency. The Texas climate with its alternating drought and flash flood cycles makes this a common problem.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch heavily. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Remove affected fruit.
• Cracking
• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either in circles around the stem or radiating out from the stem.
• What causes it: Sudden changes in soil moisture, like heavy rain after a dry spell. The fruit takes up water too quickly, and the skin can't expand fast enough.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch. Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly.
• Hornworms
• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Big green caterpillars with white stripes. 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 them (they're big and easy to spot, despite their camouflage). Bt spray is effective and organic.
• Early Blight
• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on the lower leaves, spreading upward. Leaves yellow and drop.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions. Spreads via soil splash.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can slow the spread.

Texas Specific Challenges: The extreme heat and variable humidity in Texas can make managing tomato diseases and watering needs a real challenge. Consistent watering is the most important thing you can do, and choosing disease-resistant varieties like Better Boy gives you a leg up.

Companion planting can really give your Better Boy Tomatoes a boost in Texas. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies, plus it improves the flavor of the 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, broccoli, and kale) near your tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel is also a bad companion, as it inhibits the growth of many plants. Corn can attract pests that also affect tomatoes, so keep them separated.