( This Old House ) -- There are countless varieties of tomatoes available , each of which differs from the others in taste , the size , shape and ripening time of the fruit . `` There 's only two things money ca n't buy . That 's true love and homegrown tomatoes , '' songwriter Guy Clark says . When deciding what to grow , choose varieties proven to perform well in your area . Talk to neighbors and check with your extension service to learn the local favorites . And , if you 're a novice grower , choose at least a few varieties designated as All-America Selections winners . This nonprofit group tests new varieties all across the country and awards only those with outstanding growth and flavor . Their logo appears with plant descriptions in most catalogs . It 's always a good idea to experiment with a few plants of several varieties to determine the ideal tomatoes for your garden and taste buds . What 's more , growing different varieties is an insurance policy of sorts -- a disease that strikes one variety might not harm the others . These are the qualities to consider when selecting tomatoes for your garden : . Growing basics . Start with healthy plants . Whether homegrown or store-bought , plants should be short and stocky ( 6 to 10 inches tall ) . Avoid plants with blossoms or fruit . You 'll pay more for plants in individual 4-inch pots , but they usually have larger root systems than those growing in cell packs . As a result , they will grow faster after transplanting . Choose the right site . Tomatoes grow best in full sun ( at least 8 hours daily ) and well-drained soil rich in organic matter . Work a couple inches of compost or decomposed manure into the upper 6 inches of soil prior to planting . If a soil test shows the pH is below 6.0 , apply lime . This Old House : Testing soil . Plant right . Set plants in the garden after the danger of frost and when the soil temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit . ( Experienced gardeners sometimes plant earlier and shelter plants to protect them from cold and frost . ) Space plants 1 ½ to 3 feet apart ( closer for determinate varieties , which spread less ) . Wide spacing assures good air circulation , which discourages diseases . Plant seedlings in the ground deeper than they were growing in their pots so the lowest leaves are just above the soil level . Roots will grow along the length of the buried stem , resulting in stronger plants . And , do n't forget to water freshly planted seedlings . Most experts recommend fertilizing at planting time . But go easy on the fertilizer . In this case , less is best because too much nitrogen fertilizer results in vigorous vines with few tomatoes . The recommendation from Clemson University Extension is fairly standard : Pour about 1 pint of starter solution ( 2 tablespoons of 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer per gallon of water ) around each plant . This Old House : Organic lawn care . Support plants . Stake or cage indeterminate plants ( which develop long stems ) at the time of transplanting . This keeps vines and tomatoes off the ground so the fruits will be larger , cleaner and less apt to rot . Supported plants are also easier to care for and tomatoes are easier to harvest . The most common method is to support each plant with a single sturdy stake , 6 to 8 feet tall and at least 1 inch thick . Drive the stake into the ground , about 4 inches from the plant . As the plant grows , attach its stems to the stake using commercial tomato ties , strips of soft fabric or old panty hose . Leave a little slack around the stems . The general idea with staking is to limit the vines to a couple of main stems , which requires regular pruning . Supporting tomatoes in wire cylinders or cages is also popular . This method requires more work initially , but there 's no need to prune or train the plant . Give them TLC . Tomatoes are n't one of those crops you can plant and forget . Check soil moisture and give plants 1 to 1 ½ inches of water weekly , if not supplied by rain . Try not to splash water on leaves . About a month after planting -- once the soil has really warmed up -- apply a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch , such as weed-free straw . If you mulch too soon , the soil will stay cool , delaying the harvest . This Old House : Mulching a tomato garden . If plants are staked , regularly pinch off the small suckers that sprout between the leafy branches and main stems . Do n't cut a knife can spread disease . Give all plants a boost during the growing season by applying a 5-10-5 or 5-10-10 fertilizer according to package directions . The best times to fertilize are when fruits are about golf ball-size and again when the first tomatoes are ripe . And speaking of ripe , pick tomatoes when they are firm and fully colored . Taste one while it 's still warm from the sun and you 'll know why tomatoes rank No . 1 with home gardeners . Get 2 Free Trial Issues . COPYRIGHT © 2009 THIS OLD HOUSE VENTURES , INC .
All - America Selections tests new tomato varieties all across the country . Tomatoes grow best in full sun and well - drained soil rich in organic matter . Wide spaces between plants assure air circulation and prevent diseases . Tomato ##s need 1 to 1 ½ inches of water weekly , if not supplied by rain .