Make Your Tomato Plants Grow Faster (12 EASY Tips)
If you’re looking to increase the speed at which your tomato plants grow, there are a few things you can do. By following a few simple tips, you can give your plants the best chance to grow quickly and produce a bountiful harvest.
How Long Do Tomatoes Take To Grow?
Before you get started and plant your tomatoes, it is a good idea to have a general idea of how long they will take to grow. This way, you can have realistic expectations for their development.
The days to maturity for a tomato plant are usually listed on the seed packet. This timeframe is typically based on when the tomato plant is transplanted into the garden.
Keep in mind that tomatoes are typically started 6 to 8 weeks before they are transplanted. So, when you’re calculating the total growing time for your plants, be sure to add an additional 40 to 55 days.
Generally speaking, most tomatoes are ready for harvest in 60 to 80 days. These varieties of tomatoes are typically referred to as midseason varieties. Late season tomatoes can take up to 100 days, and some early season varieties are ready in as little as 45 to 55 days.
12 Tips To Make Your Tomato Plants Grow Faster Than Ever Before!
If you’re like most gardeners, you can’t wait to see your tomato plants bearing fruit. But waiting for your plants to grow can be frustrating. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make your tomato plants grow faster.
Here are 12 tips to get your tomato plants off to a fast start:
1. Start with High-quality Plants
When it comes to growing tomatoes, starting with high-quality plants is key. Not only will this help them grow faster, but it will also result in healthier, more bountiful plants. Here are a few tips on how to choose the best tomato plants for your garden.
First, take a look at the plant’s leaves. They should be dark green and shiny, without any spots or browning. The stems should be firm, and the overall plant should be vibrant and robust.
Avoid any plants that look sickly or have yellow leaves, as these are likely to produce fewer and lower quality fruits.
Next, check the size of the plant. While you may be tempted to choose the biggest one, this isn’t always the best idea.
Tomato plants that are too big can be difficult to manage, and may produce fewer fruits than their smaller counterparts. Instead, look for plants that are about 12-24 inches tall.
Finally, take a sniff! Tomato plants should have a pleasant, slightly sweet smell. If they don’t smell good, or if they have an overpowering fragrance, it’s best to choose another plant.
With these tips in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect tomato plants for your garden. Happy planting!
2. Plant in Well-drained Soil
Tomato plants need well-drained soil in order to thrive. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, consider amending it with sand or compost to improve drainage.
If you have the right soil, you can give your plants a big boost. Well-drained soil is key to helping tomatoes grow faster.
When it comes to tomato plants, the roots are just as important as the fruit. Tomato plants need plenty of space to spread their roots, and well-drained soil is the perfect environment for them to do just that.
If you’re growing tomatoes in poorly drained soil, the roots will be constantly wet and can start to rot. This can lead to all sorts of problems for your plants, including stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and even fruit that doesn’t taste as good as it should.
Soil that drains well is loose and aerated, which allows the roots to breathe and absorb nutrients more efficiently. If you’re not sure whether your soil is well-drained, you can test it by digging a small hole and filling it with water.
If the water drains away quickly, you’ve got well-drained soil. If it takes a while for the water to drain, you’ll need to amend your soil before you plant your tomatoes.
There are a few things you can do to improve drainage, including adding organic matter like compost or perlite, or planting in raised beds. Whatever you do, make sure you give your tomatoes the best chance to thrive by starting with well-drained soil.
Read More: Grow Tomatoes In Raised Beds: Everything You Need To Know
3. Don’t Plant Too Early
If you want your tomato plants to grow quickly and produce a bountiful harvest, you need to start them off on the right foot by planting them at the right time. Many gardeners make the mistake of planting their tomato plants too early in the season, thinking that this will help them grow faster. However, this is not the case.
Tomato plants are sensitive to cold temperatures and can be damaged or even killed if they are exposed to frost. Therefore, it is important to wait until the last frost date has passed before planting your tomato plants.
This date will vary depending on where you live, but in general, it is safe to plant tomato plants after the middle or end of May.
If you plant your tomato plants too early, they will likely become stunted and produce fewer fruits. So, even though it may be tempting to get a head start on the growing season, it is best to wait until the weather is warm enough to ensure that your tomato plants will thrive.
4. Give Them Plenty of Sun
When it comes to growing tomatoes, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure they get plenty of sun. While tomatoes can grow in shady areas, they will grow much faster and produce more fruit if they get at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
If you live in an area with hot summers, you may need to provide some additional shading for your tomato plants during the hottest part of the day. However, as long as they get plenty of sun during the cooler hours of the day, they should still do well.
So if you want to help your tomato plants grow faster, make sure they get plenty of sun. And if you live in a hot climate, a little extra shading during the hottest part of the day can also be helpful.
Read More: 13 Tomato Varieties That Can Grow In The Shade
5. Don’t Overcrowd Them
Another very important thing to keep in mind is not to overcrowd them. Giving them enough space to grow is crucial for their overall health and development.
There are a few reasons why overcrowding tomato plants is not a good idea. For one, it can prevent them from getting the necessary amount of sunlight. Sunlight is essential for tomato plants to grow and produce fruit, so if they’re not getting enough of it, they won’t be as productive.
Additionally, overcrowding can lead to competition for resources like water and nutrients. This can stress the plants out and make it harder for them to thrive.
So, when you’re planting tomatoes, be sure to give them enough space. This will help them grow faster and produce more fruit.
Read More: Tomato Plant Spacing: How to Space Your Tomato Plants for Optimal Growth
6. Fertilize Regularly
If you want to help your tomato plants grow faster and be more healthy, you should fertilize them regularly. This will give them the nutrients they need to grow strong and produce more fruit.
There are a few things to keep in mind when fertilizing tomatoes. First, you should only fertilize them when they are actively growing. This means during the spring and summer when they are producing fruit. You should avoid fertilizing them in the fall and winter when they are dormant.
Second, you should use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. This will help encourage leaf and stem growth. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so they will need more fertilizer than other plants.
Finally, you should water your tomato plants after fertilizing them. This will help the fertilizer reach the roots where it can be absorbed.
7. Prune Regularly
Pruning is one of the best things you can do for your plants. Pruning helps tomato plants grow faster and healthier, and can even help them produce more fruit!
Here are a few tips on how to prune your tomato plants for the best results:
Start pruning when the plants are young. Once your plants have grown a few inches tall, you can start pruning them.
Prune off the bottom leaves. These leaves are the oldest and won’t produce as much fruit as the newer leaves higher up on the plant.
Prune off any leaves that are diseased or damaged. This will help keep your plants healthy and prevent the spread of disease.
Fertilize your plants after pruning. This will help them recover from the pruning and start growing new leaves and fruit.
Read More: How to Prune Tomato Plants for Optimal Growth
By following these tips, you can help your tomato plants grow faster and healthier, and produce more fruit!
8. Water Deeply
Tomato plants need a lot of water, and by watering them deeply, you help them to grow faster and stay healthier.
There are a few things to keep in mind when watering your tomato plants. First, make sure that you water them at the base of the plant, rather than from above. This helps to avoid getting water on the leaves, which can lead to fungal diseases.
Second, water your plants in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry off before nightfall. This again helps to prevent fungal diseases.
Finally, make sure that you give your plants enough water. Tomato plants need about an inch of water per week, so be sure to water them deeply and regularly. By doing so, you will help your tomato plants to grow faster and stay healthier.
9. Adding Mulch Around Your Plants
Mulching in another option that can help accelerate the growth of your plants. Mulching helps to maintain moisture in the soil, which is essential for tomatoes. It also helps to keep the roots of the plants cooler, which is another important factor in tomato growth.
There are a few different ways to mulch your tomato plants. One of the most popular methods is to use straw. Straw is an excellent mulch for tomatoes because it helps to retain moisture and keeps the roots of the plants cooler.
Another popular method is to use black plastic. Black plastic helps to warm the soil, which is beneficial for tomato growth.
No matter what type of mulch you use, be sure to apply it around the base of the plant, being careful not to touch the leaves or stems. Mulching is an easy and effective way to help your plants grow.
10. Avoid Stress
Stressed plants simply don’t grow as quickly as those that are not, so it’s important to do what you can to keep your tomato plants happy and healthy.
One of the biggest culprits of stress in tomato plants is improper watering. Over- or under-watering can both lead to a plant being stressed, so it’s important to be careful with your watering schedule. Likewise, excessive pruning can also lead to stress in tomato plants.
Read More: 5 Signs of Overwatered Cucumber Plants and How to Save Them
11. Harvest Regularly
Regular harvesting will encourage your tomato plants to produce more fruit. This may seem like a counterintuitive way to help your plants grow faster, but trust us – it works!
By removing the ripe fruit from the plant, you’re encouraging it to produce even more tomatoes. So make sure to check your plants regularly and pick any ripe fruit as soon as possible.
Not only will this help your plants to grow faster, but it will also ensure that you get to enjoy the very best of your harvest. So get out there and start picking those tomatoes!
12. Protect from Pests
One of the biggest challenges of growing tomatoes is protecting them from pests. Pests can slow down the growth of your plant, and make it difficult to produce a bountiful crop.
There are a few simple steps you can take to help protect your tomato plants from pests. First, choose a variety of tomato that is resistant to pests. There are many different varieties of tomatoes, so do some research to find one that will work well in your area.
Second, keep your tomato plants well-watered. Pests are attracted to stressed plants, so keeping your tomatoes well-hydrated will help to keep them healthy and pest-free.
Third, use mulch to help prevent pests from reaching your plants. Mulch can help to deter pests, and also help to keep your tomato plants healthy by preventing moisture loss.
Finally, be sure to inspect your plants regularly for signs of pests. If you see any pests on your plants, be sure to remove them immediately. By taking these simple steps, you can help to protect your tomato plants from pests and ensure a bountiful crop.
Read More: 10 Tomato Plant Pests Your Tomato Plants Hate (MUST READ!)
By following our 12 tips, you’ll be sure to have a bumper crop of delicious, ripe tomatoes in no time!
Final Thoughts:
In general, most tomato If you follow these 12 tips, you can expect your tomato plants to grow faster than ever before! With proper care and attention, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes in no time.plants can go for about 36 hours without water. However, if it’s very hot or windy, your plant may need to be watered more frequently.